A Restaurant You Cannot Miss in Shanghai 🇨🇳
Established in 1996, this nearly 30-year-old restaurant has long been a household name among locals. Many Shanghainese say they’ve been dining here “since they were kids,” and unlike some viral restaurants that blow up online only to underwhelm in person, Sanmalu Restaurant keeps it low-key and lets its flavor and reputation do the talking.
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🌸 Sliced Lotus root with sweet sauce — Surprisingly sweet, but surprisingly good
To be honest, I would never have ordered this dish on my own. The amount of sugar made me instinctively wary. But after some persistent persuading from a friend, I reluctantly gave it a try.
Neatly sliced lotus root, stuffed with glutinous rice and topped with a fragrant osmanthus syrup, looked like a delicate lady from a painting. The texture was soft and sticky; the flavor, sweet and aromatic. I tried to restrain myself—but I still went back for more bites.
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🦀 Cooked drunk crab — For crab lovers with extra patience
It’s said that if you don’t eat crab while in Shanghai, your trip is incomplete. So we had to try San Ma Lu’s signature Cooked drunk crab.
This cold appetizer is sold by the piece (minimum order: two). Though small in size, the crabs were bursting with wine aroma—probably huadiao rice wine. The taste is bold and fragrant. But eating it was tricky: the shells were hard to crack, and the legs were so thin that all you could do was gently suck the juice. As a die-hard meat lover, I couldn’t help but feel unsatisfied—it was delicious, yes, but not exactly filling.
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🍖 The sweet and sour pork ribs — Big on flavor, small in portion
This was the dish I was most excited about. It even comes with a badge of honor: “Voted one of Shanghai’s Top 10 Classic Dishes in September 2018.”
Its glossy orange-red glaze was eye-catching and mouthwatering. The flavor lived up to expectations—tangy, sweet, and tender. But the portion size was a letdown. Before I knew it, the plate was empty. And as tasty as it was, the strong flavor could get overwhelming fast—definitely a dish best paired with something lighter.
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🥬 Grass bouquet — My personal favorite
The most delightful surprise of the meal? This unassuming dish of stir-fried grass bouquet with rice wine.
In spring, it’s the right season for grass bouquet, making this even more of a treat. Tender, slightly sweet, and infused with the aroma of what I suspect is huangjiu (yellow wine), this dish was fresh and fragrant without being overpowering. It offered the perfect palate cleanser amidst the stronger-flavored Shanghainese dishes.
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🍲 Yān Dǔ Xiān (Bamboo shoot soup with fresh and pickled steady pork) — A bowlful of Jiangnan warmth
Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a light soup. Yān Dǔ Xiān is a traditional Shanghainese dish made by simmering salted pork, fresh meat, bamboo shoots, and tofu knots over a low flame.
At San Ma Lu, it’s served in a generous portion rather than individual bowls. The pork belly was perfectly balanced—fatty yet not greasy thanks to slow cooking. The lean meat was firm and flavorful, and paired beautifully with the soft tofu knots. Although on the salty side, the soup was deeply savory and satisfying.
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All in all, San Ma Lu isn’t some trendy new spot. Most of its diners are families and locals, giving it a comforting, old-Shanghai charm. The average cost per person is around ¥80–100 RMB, which is quite reasonable in Shanghai.
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So far, I’ve tried several Shanghainese restaurants on this trip to Shanghai, and it’s been incredibly satisfying. Next time, I’m going to explore a different flavor. What else does this food capital have in store? Follow along and let’s find out together!
#chineserestaurant #Shanghai #shanghai2025 #shanghaitrip #chinatrip
Stepping into San Ma Lu Restaurant in Shanghai felt like uncovering a true culinary secret, a stark contrast to the flashy, ephemeral viral spots. As someone always on the hunt for genuine local flavors, I often find myself asking, "where to eat in Shanghai" for an experience that truly reflects the city's soul. This time-honored restaurant, established in 1996, proved to be just that – a place where families gather and traditions are savored. My journey through their menu of authentic Shanghainese dishes began with the Sliced Lotus Root with sweet sauce. Honestly, I'm usually wary of overly sweet appetizers, but my friend insisted. The delicate slices, stuffed with glutinous rice and drizzled with osmanthus syrup, were unexpectedly delightful – soft, sticky, and aromatic. It was a surprising yet fantastic start. No trip to a Shanghainese restaurant would be complete without trying the local specialties, and the Cooked Drunk Crab was high on my list. While the article mentioned it's for those with patience, I found the experience incredibly rewarding. The crabs themselves, though small, were bursting with the potent aroma of huadiao rice wine. It's a dish that demands you slow down, gently suck the rich juice from the thin legs, and appreciate the bold, fragrant flavors that define this signature dish. It’s an adventure for the palate, and a must-try for any crab lover exploring Shanghai's food scene. Next, the iconic Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs arrived, boasting its glossy, orange-red glaze. Having heard it was voted one of Shanghai’s Top 10 Classic Dishes, my expectations were high, and they were met! Tangy, sweet, and incredibly tender, it’s a dish that truly showcases the balance of flavors Shanghainese cuisine is known for. While the portion was indeed modest, its rich taste is best enjoyed in moderation, perhaps alongside a lighter dish. My personal favorite, and the most delightful surprise, was the simple Stir-fried Grass Bouquet. In spring, when this delicate vegetable is in season, it’s an absolute treat. Infused with a subtle hint of huangjiu (yellow wine), its fresh, slightly sweet profile was the perfect palate cleanser amidst the stronger flavors. It truly highlighted the importance of seasonal ingredients in authentic local cooking. Finally, the Yān Dǔ Xiān (bamboo shoot soup with fresh and pickled pork) arrived – a hearty bowl of Jiangnan warmth. Don't be fooled; this is a substantial soup, slow-simmered with salted pork, fresh meat, bamboo shoots, and tofu knots. The pork belly was fatty yet not greasy, and the lean meat, paired with the soft tofu, created a deeply savory and satisfying broth, perfect for a cooler evening. At an average cost of ¥80–100 RMB per person, San Ma Lu Restaurant Shanghai offers incredible value for such authentic, time-honored Shanghainese dishes. It's not about the glitz; it's about the genuine flavors and the comforting atmosphere that makes you feel like you've truly experienced Shanghai through its food. If you're looking for a place where locals eat, a spot with history and heart, then San Ma Lu is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to this incredible food capital.
