Nanxiang Steamed Buns Restaurant and Yu Gardens – Xiaolongbao and Other Snacks
"Nanxiang Steamed Buns Restaurant" is well known to both Shanghai locals and one-time visitors as THE place to eat Xiaolongbao (小笼包). What really makes these pork and crab roe dumplings special i..."Nanxiang Steamed Buns Restaurant" is well known to both Shanghai locals and one-time visitors as THE place to eat Xiaolongbao (小笼包). What really makes these pork and crab roe dumplings special is the broth inside.The price goes up and the wait goes down as you ascend the three floors of the restaurant. Instead of waiting in the ridiculously long line, heap up to the 2nd floor to dine on famous xiaolongbao for just 15 yuan per plate. Worth noting are the hungry patrons who crowd around directly behind the diners as they wait their turn for a seat at a table.
When you lift the dumplings off the plate try to do it as gently as possible so as to not rip the dumpling skin. Also remember that the broth inside is piping hot! Be cautious and try to bite a small corner of the dumpling first. It is also quite common to order some ginger to compliment the xiaolongbao.
Cowboys eat Xiaolongbao too.
Other Snacks at Yu Gardens
The area next to the Yu Gardens and surrounding the Nanxiang Steamed Buns Restaurant is packed with a variety of tasty snacks. Here’s a select few of them:
Bird on a Stick
Banana and Rice in Bamboo Shoots
Super-sized Soup Dumplings
Boiled Dumplings
Daniang Shuijiao (DND, 大娘水饺) offers a wide variety of boiled dumplings. Try the standard dumplings or be more adventurous and go for some snake dumplings. The entrance is located on the front of Fuyou Lu (福佑路).
Stinky Tofu - One of China’s most popular snacks. Some are addicted while others keep their distance. Remember folks, when in Rome...
Dim Sum - At least one restaurant around the Yu Gardens serves Dim Sum.
Memory Brazil
Memory Brazil BBQ is admittedly quite a trek to get to, but if you are on the northeast side of Shanghai this is a decent eatery. Located on the third floor of a huge building, the restaurant is easy to spot by the large steam train that marks its entrance. The all-you-can-eat BBQ is a hearty mea...
Memory Brazil BBQ is admittedly quite a trek to get to, but if you are on the northeast side of Shanghai this is a decent eatery. Located on the third floor of a huge building, the restaurant is easy to spot by the large steam train that marks its entrance. The all-you-can-eat BBQ is a hearty meal, and the buffet of mixed salads, goulash and chicken nuggets is an oddly “eclectic” yet pleasing mix. Chinese musicians entertain guests with enthusiastic versions of western classics. The one waiter who speaks English, a wonderful guy called Bruce Lee, will be sure to meet your every need. Just tell him Vikki sent ya!
Upon finishing your meal, move downstairs to the basement to find the true treasure. Memory Jazz bar is an amazing space. Filling the entire basement, its size is perhaps only rivaled by CJW Bund. However, the atmosphere here is far more genuine, replacing fancy strip lights with candles and leather sofas with wooden booths. At 25 RMB for a gin and tonic, you just can’t go wrong. And the music, though possibly not equal to the quality of downtown venues, is something special as well. For a real Shanghai night of musical culture, head down to Memory… you might just see me down there too.
