Background information:
Shanghai cuisine is the youngest among the ten major cuisines in China though with a history of more than 400 years. Traditionally called Benbang cuisine, it originated in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1840). Shanghai dishes usually look red and shiny, for they are often pickled in wine and their cooking methods include baking, stewing, teaming, deep-frying, etc. he raw materials of Shanghai dishes are well cut, and the colors harmoniously arranged. Now, special attention is being paid to low-sugar and low-fat food, a good quantity of vegetables and nutritional values. Generally Shanghai cuisine is mellower and slightly sweet in taste. Sweet and sour is a typical Shanghai taste. Another characteristic is the use of a great variety of seafood. Rice is dominantly served over noodle or other wheat products.
1. Famous, traditional shanghai food
A notable Shanghai delicacy is xiaolongbao, sometimes known as Shanghai dumplings in English-speaking countries. Xiaolongbao is a type of steamed bun that is filled with pork. Some tourists are visiting Shnaghai just to have a try of it. In comparison, Hong Kong does not have such kind of traditional food that can represent the food culture of Hong Kong.
2. Cheap price
The cheap price of food and snacks is also another critical factor which makes Shanghai food attractive to tourists. A good example is food in城隍廟. A huge bowl of dumplings won’t cost you more than ten dollars. This is a significant comparative advantage to Hong Kong. As Hong Kong is famous for expensive food but only of a small portion, it makes Shanghai’s food sound so attractive.
3. Great variety of food
Shanghai’s restaurants are more diverse. New restaurants and bars are constantly opening in Shanghai. In Shanghai, not only can you taste traditional China’s multitude of regional cuisines such as Sichuan food, Xinjiang food, Hunan food, etc. You can also taste food from all