Walking into Shanghai No. 1 feels like stepping into a culinary time capsule, where every dish pays homage to the rich flavors of traditional Shanghai cuisine. Their menu reads like a love letter to comfort food, and as a reviewer, it's a dream to explore.
Start with the Steamed Buns, Dumplings and Potstickers — the Meaty Soupy Dumplings and Crab Roe variants are juicy, delicate, and bursting with umami. The Pan-fried Buns deliver that addictive crunch-meets-soupy-core texture, while the Steamed Cabbage and Pork Dumplings are wholesome and earthy.
The Main Hot Dishes section is where Shanghai No. 1 truly flexes its flavor. The Sauteed Eel with Chinese Chives and Marinated Eel offer bold, briny richness that pairs beautifully with their subtle crab roe tofu. If seafood isn’t your thing, the Braised Yellowtail Fish or its sweet counterpart with Pine Nuts hit all the nostalgic notes of home cooking.
Noodle lovers rejoice: the Scallion-Oil Mixed Noodles are deceptively simple but layered with deep, fragrant oils. The Shanghai Meat Cutlet Noodle Soup is pure soul food — crispy pork meets rich broth. And the Spicy Ground-Pork version? A punchy, addictive twist.
Even the vegetables stand out. The Stir-Fried Tatsoi and Braised Bamboo Shoots are fresh, vibrant, and far from an afterthought. Add a touch of comfort with the Slow-Simmered Chicken Soup or the aromatic Ginger and Scallion Duck Soup.
Desserts? An art form here. The Stuffed Lotus Root with Osmanthus Glutinous Rice is lightly floral and texturally divine, while the Eight Treasure Purple Rice is a chewy-sweet masterpiece.
In short, Shanghai No. 1 doesn’t just serve food — it serves a journey into the heart of old Shanghai, one unforgettable dish at a time.