Ni chi guo le ma? Eating Chinese food in Shanghai

Shanghai is a city of food. While Western restaurants can be hit-or-miss and very expensive, Chinese restaurants are understandably ubiquitous. How to navigate the world of food in Shanghai? Use my favorites list to try out different cuisines – because Chinese food as we know it in the West hardly exists outside of the tourist buffets once you’re here.

Chinese food is divided by cuisine and location. Sichuan food is very different from Shanghai cuisine. People from the north eat more wheat-based food while people from the south eat a rice-based diet. There’s so much to try, you could spend a whole vacation in China just eating.

Suibian chi!

"Ni chi guo le ma?" is a common Mandarin phrase meaning have you eaten yet?. "Suibian chi!" is a polite phrase that means help yourself.

Calling all Shanghai readers: write me at gochina.guide@about.com and tell me where your favorite Chinese restaurants are - I'd love to have your recommendations!