The Bottom Line
Living in Shanghai, I'm eating Sichuan, Beijing and Cantonese food constantly but rarely take a moment to savor the numerous specialties of my new home town. Now that I've been to Fu 1039, I don't have any more excuses. They say in Shanghai the food is sweet. This has, at times, turned me off. I love the different flavors and textures in Chinese food and "sweet", to me, just doesn't seem quite right...or didn't.
Pros
- Step into history. Eating at Fu 1039 lets you feel like you're walking back in time.
- Experience the flavors of authentic Shanghainese cuisine: delicate yet well-defined.
- Moderate prices don't make you feel like you're spending a fortune.
- Wonderfully attentive yet unobtrusive staff: your wine glass and tea cup will never be empty.
- Private dining options perfect for groups or families with little ones.
Cons
- Limited wine list and seemingly limited stock.
- A wee bit hard to find: no signage outside.
Description
- Fu 1039
- Lane 1039 Yu Yuan Road, Shanghai 200050
- Tel: 021-5237-1878
- Expect to spend: 200-250rmb (US$ 25-30) per person
Guide Review - Fu 1039: Authentic Shanghainese Food in a Restored 1930s Villa
The Food
I have to jump right in because as beautiful as the ambiance is at Fu 1039, the food is the reason to go. We began with three cold starters:
- Drunken chicken, a famous local dish of poached chicken soaked in shaoxing wine;
- Vegetables in chili sauce, which had the unfortunate accompaniment of chicken feet; and
- Boiled bean curd skin roll with vegetables and minced pork, a tofu packet of sorts.
Each dish had its own unique flavor with perhaps a hint of sweetness but nothing overpowering. The vegetables in chili oil looked innocuous enough but had a deadly finish that left us downing our chrysanthemum and Pu'er tea. Thank goodness the pot was bottomless.
With several mains and limited space, I must point out the highlights:
The Villa
Not overdone, period art-deco and traditional 1930s pieces augment the experience that you're stepping back into Shanghai's past to dine on its specialties. Downstairs you'll find the main dining rooms and bar. Head up the stairs for larger banquet rooms and even further up for small private rooms. Your group will be accommodated but don't forget to reserve first.
