Published on July 14, 2024, 12:52.
Duration: 1 day. Time: July. Per capita cost: 200 yuan. With whom: Friends. Ways to play: Gourmet food, culture, independent travel, weekend tour, Michelin Guide.
Speaking of traveling in Shanghai, there are well-known tourist must-see places such as the Bund, Shanghai Disneyland, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yuyuan Garden, City God Temple, and Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. However, what I like the most in this huge international city are the old streets and alleys precipitated by years. At the corner of Wukang Road and in the afternoon of Tianzifang, there are always too many overlapping memories.
That afternoon, at the invitation of a friend, I went to Tianzifang again. This is a famous block in Shanghai. The Shikumen has a very retro feel of old Shanghai. There are many small shops here, such as White Rabbit, cheongsam stores, various handicrafts, Shanghai cuisine restaurants, cafes, and small bars.
It was a rainy day. Walking around with a fan. In this nostalgic scene, I suddenly remembered those lines in ‘Blossoms Shanghai’: ‘True growth is probably that you still like the things you like, but you no longer insist on having them; the things you are afraid of are still afraid of, but… you dare to face them.’
As I grow older, I gradually let go of many people and things that I was persistent about before, and I increasingly understand that a plain life is the best.
I was thinking that next time I come to Tianzifang, I can wear a cheongsam and take a few retro photos in the style of the Republic of China.After strolling and getting tired, find a café and sit idly. Enjoy a cup of iced coffee and a piece of chestnut cake. Time is meant to be wasted. I want to tell you a truth that most people ignore: many things don’t need to have meaning. Eating, drinking, and having fun does not equal wasting time, and being hardworking and enduring hardships does not equal being extremely meaningful. Life is a superposition of various experiences. Please be sure to remember this.
Opposite Tianzifang, you’ll find the Shanghai Dapuqiao Ri Yueguang Center, which is conveniently accessible. The Metro Line 9 goes directly there, and it’s right there when you come out of the exit. In the evening, I visited a restaurant on the must-eat list in Shanghai: Shihaodian · Hong Kong Dim Sum · Cantonese Cuisine (Dapuqiao Ri Yueguang Store). A local foodie friend said that the barbecued pork puff pastry of this store is definitely ranked among the top three in Shanghai. He also specially tried many places for comparison, and so far, none has surpassed Shihaodian. On the sign at the entrance, it is clearly written ‘Reject prepared dishes’.
Remembering when I traveled to Guangzhou and shared the pictures and experiences of morning tea online, many Guangdong friends said: ‘Most of what you ate are prepared foods. Cantonese morning tea, including many Cantonese cuisines, has basically been completely ruined.’ Indeed, in recent years, prepared foods are gradually ruining Cantonese cuisine, including many time-honored restaurants.Nowadays, restaurants that stick to handmade dishes are extremely rare. Shihao Dian · Hong Kong Dim Sum · Cantonese Restaurant is one such place. The phrase ‘Reject Pre-made Dishes’ gives us confidence when we enter. The dining environment is excellent and the service is warm and attentive. Looking at the prices, the online set menu for two is between 174 and 199 yuan, with an average cost per person of less than 100 yuan. Located in the prime area of Shanghai’s Xintiandi, it offers great value for money. Most of the kitchen is open for viewing. The steaming dishes create a lively and homely atmosphere. You can watch the whole process of making a luxurious red rice noodle roll, freshly handmade from preparation to serving. For drinks, we ordered the classic Hong Kong iced lemon tea and Hong Kong iced milk tea. The Hong Kong-style milk tea is freshly shaken and tastes authentic. The ice cubes are shaped like little dragons, which is really adorable! When visiting this restaurant, the honey-glazed barbecued pork pastry is a must-try. The crust is crispy and the filling is rich and flavorful. If we hadn’t ordered many dishes, we would definitely order another one. The bamboo shoot shrimp dumplings are rightly the top of the ‘Four Heavenly Kings’. The transparent dumpling skin is filled with plump shrimp meat and the crunchy texture of bamboo shoots. Full of protein, it’s guilt-free even after eating two. The lychee custard balls are so beautiful that it’s hard to eat them! The custard inside is just right and still runny.The nourishing date paste buns have a taste that is not too sweet, just perfect. The double roast is also a must-order. It features braised crispy skin duck with sweet and sour sauce and fragrant honey-glazed barbecued pork, which can be considered a classic of handmade dishes. The portion is generous and it must be accompanied by the tangy and sweet plum sauce for a richer taste.
A serving of steamed boneless crucian carp with fresh Sichuan pepper is perfect for those who dislike bones. I used to dislike crucian carp because of the many bones, but this dish is boneless and very flavorful.
The golden garlic spare ribs were added after seeing the neighboring table order them. The presentation is a plump, chubby pig, which is very creative. The ribs are fried to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, making them irresistible.
For the staple food, we chose stir-fried beef noodles, a classic Cantonese dish. A well-known everyday dish is meticulously passed down. The beef is cut into large pieces, satisfying with each bite, and best enjoyed while hot.
Finally, a bowl of hot Yangcheng Liwan boatman’s porridge. This bowl of porridge is accompanied by the memories of the old Guangdong people. Fish slices, squid, jellyfish shreds, salted lean meat shreds… that’s the taste.
‘Eat better, Hong Kong taste, Shihao Dian.’ After tasting this table, it is indeed true that every product in the restaurant, including dim sum, noodles, roasts, and porridge, is handmade. ‘Innovation without forgetting the roots, tradition without being old-fashioned.’
