2010 Shanghai Mini Restaurant Reviews

We recently finished a culinary tour of China in the Summer of 2010. Shanghai is a world class city full of great food. Most of the Chinese food was superior to that in the San Francisco Bay Area and even Vancouver, BC Canada.

Here are some quick mini reviews of places we ate at, so you can understand how Shanghai food compares, and so you select the best places on your visit. We have full reviews for places we deemed important enough;

Other Shanghai reviews: 2010 Shanghai mini Restaurant Reviews, Din Tai Fung, Fu 1039, Jardin de Jade – Jade Garden,  Jia Jia Tang Bao, South Beauty, Yang’s Fry Dumplings, 6Sens Shanghai Expo, Nanling Restaurant.

If a restaurant does not have a website, we link to their Dianping page.

Pankoo Korean Restaurant – 釜山料理

Looking for a change from Chinese food, so we tried Pankoo and were pleasantly surprised. Better Korean food compared to back home in the San Francisco Bay Area. Korean BBQ chain restaurant opened in 1999, with locations in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenyang. Lots of Fun, this restaurant features booths and tables with cooking pits to cook your food. This location is a short walk from People’s Square.

Hits: Ribeye, mushrooms, Chop choy noodle, green tea slush, traditional Korean soup, beef hoisin sauce stone pot rice

Overall rating (Stars) – 3
Food Rating – 3
Service Rating – 2
Atmosphere Rating – 2.5
Value – 3
Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Fair/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Come Back – Yes

Pankoo Korean Restaurant
6/F, Raffles City, 268 Xizang Nan Lu, near Fuzhou Lu
Shanghai, China
6340 3181

Pankoo Korean Restaurant

Xiao Shao Xing – 小绍兴 (云南店)

Famous for their Chicken Congee, Xiao Shao Xing’s downstairs is informal and crowded, while the 2nd floor is another world. Founded in 1943 by Shaoxing residents from the Zhejiang Province. This restaurant specializes in chicken congee and has very reasonable prices. Multiple locations.

Hits: Bitter melon, steamed chicken, cold crab claws, fish fillets, Lions head sweet glutinous balls

Overall rating (Stars) – 3
Food Rating – 3
Service Rating – 2
Atmosphere Rating – 3
Value – 3
Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Fair/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Come Back – Yes

Xiao Shao Xing
118 Yunnan Rd.(S)
Shanghai, China
63260845

Dianping

Zen – The Original Shanghai Cuisine Restaurant – 异彩采蝶轩老菜馆

Zen is located on the 6th floor of a large shopping mall. It was not our first choice and proved to be just slightly above average. Avoid fair Cantonese dim sum and stick to Sichuan or Shanghainese dishes. Many locations.
Subway: Xujiahui

Hits: river shrimp, crispy chicken, jellyfish, eel

Overall rating (Stars) – 2.5
Food Rating – 2
Service Rating – 2
Atmosphere Rating – 2.5
Value – 2.5
Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Fair/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Come Back – Maybe

Zen – The Original Shanghai Cuisine Restaurant
6/F Grand Gateway, No.1 Hongqiao Rd, Xujiahui
Shanghai, China
021-6407909
Dianping

Paul

An outpost of a French bakery chain we visited in Paris, but quality of the breads was poor. No hint of French wonder here.

Hits: None

Overall rating (Stars) – 1.5
Food Rating – 1.5
Service Rating – 2
Atmosphere Rating – 2.5
Value – 2.5
Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Fair/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Come Back – No

Xintiandi North Block,
Lane 181 Taicang Lu, near Madang Lu
Shanghai, China
021-5306 7191
Website