Shanghai Bistro, Millbrae formerly Shanghai East, San Mateo

Shanghai East has moved to Millbrae and changed names to Shanghai Bistro, with their staff and chef intact. The building’s sign still read Family China Bistro! Spicy Empire has taken its place in its old 25th Ave location, San Mateo.

Shanghai Bistro Restaurant is a Shanghainese Chinese restaurant on Millbrae’s busy El Camino Real, almost next door to McDonald’s. They have a sister restaurant in Oakland’s Chinatown. Shanghai Bistro opened in late 2010 and focuses on Shanghai Dim Sum and Noodles dishes during lunch.

Check out the review of Jade Garden in China to see what real Shanghainese places serve. Another must visit restaurant in Shanghai, China is Fu1039.

Decor, Vibe – Shanghai bistro is much bigger than their old location in San Mateo. Pink tones and large lights on the wall. Many more large tables than before.

Menu (Click to zoom into any picture)

Shanghai Bistro’s Restaurant Menu had lunch dim sum small plates, noodle dishes, as well as a traditional menu. Their dinner menu has many Classic Shanghai in Mandarin Chinese dishes. Try to stick to the Shanghai Chinese dishes and not the Americanized Chinese food. They also have Peking duck  cooked two ways, for dinner. Free delivery with minimum $30 order.

Shanghai Bistro Menu

Full Shanghai Bistro Image Set

Picks:

Sautéed prawns with scallions Shanghai style ($8.50) was a beautiful looking dish with lots of fresh prawns covered in a sweet soy sauce. This dish was very messy, we’d recommend getting the version without shells that costs two dollars more.

Chicken and wonton casserole ($12.50) was a huge bubbling bowl full of large wontons and roughly half a chicken. Nice long boiled chicken broth along with some bok choy, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots.

Shanghai Pan fried pork buns ($5.50 for 6) had a beautiful crisp brown bottom and good skin thickness. They were hot and took a while, but proved to be worth the wait. Big meat chunks, a little bit of soup inside but one of the better ones in the San Francisco Bay Area. Be sure to check out our Shanghai restaurant reviews to see how the real deal is.

Shanghai Steamed dumplings ($6.50 for or Xiao Long Bao were tiny but very good. One of the better versions in the Bay Area. Not a lot soup inside and smallish meat filling but excellent flavor.

Green Onion Pancake ($4.50) Pre sliced pieces with slight good scallion flavor and just the right level crispiness and flakiness.

Ji Cai and Shredded pork with Rice cake ($7.50) Ji Cai vegetables are like chopped spinach mixed in with a little pork on tender rice cakes. A little different than the napa cabbage version we usually get but still solid.

Dry cooked string beans ($8.50) were crisp and fresh beans bundled along with a good helping of minced meat that added a salty element.

Vegetable and Pork Wonton ($6.50) Yao Ming’s favorite dish had lots of large sized wontons filled with goodies, bathed in a hot broth.

Eight treasure rice pudding ($6.50) was compact with dry topping, and a crumbly inside, but had very good flavors. This dish is available with either white or black Rice. 5 Joy still makes a better one but this terrible looking one wasn’t bad.

Shanghai Spring Rolls ($4.50 for 4) Four deep fried crispy balls of wonder filled with warm shredded daikon.

OK:
Shanghai chow mein ($7.50) was a reasonably sized portion of fat noodles but was fair at better. The sauce simply too sweet.

Pans:
None

Shanghai Bistro’s service was pretty much drop and go with occasional check backs ie typical Chinese restaurant service. The waitress speaks English so no communication worries. Shanghai Bistro has reasonably priced Shanghai Chinese food, making it a solid bet if you want a taste of Shanghai.  Shanghai Dumpling Shop in Millbrae and Sunny Shanghai, San Bruno are also worth a visit if you like Shanghai Chinese food.

Check out our Shanghai restaurant reviews for the real deal, Shanghai food that we have in the San Francisco Bay Area is not very close in quality.

Sister restaurant:
Shanghai Restaurant
930 Webster St
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 465-6878

$25 Dining Certificate for $5

Shanghai Bistro Overall Rating: (Good 2)

Come Back?

Food Rating:	(Very Good)
Service Rating:	(Good)
Atmosphere Rating:	(Good)
Value Rating:	(Good)

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:	Beer, Wine
Attire:	Casual
Hours:	Mon - Fri 11am-3pm, 5-11pm, Sat/Sun 1030am-11pm
Parking:	Street
Reservations:	Yes
Prices:	$1.25 - $28.50