Excellent Comfort Foods To Cozy Up This Winter

Shanghai is full of high gastronomic delights; scallops, truffles, foie gras… blah blah blah. However, mouthwatering as these dishes are, they are definitely not what you’d eat for dinner every night. That’s where Comfort food comes in.  And when it comes to that, we’ve got you covered with some solid Shanghai options. 

ELEFANTE

MIXED SEAFOOD JUICY RICE

Address: 20 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu

Tel: [phone]

Price: RMB228

A classic comfort food to share that you can t avoid at El elefante, their Mixed seafood juicy rice. The juicy rice is in the middle of a risotto and paella but in a more tender and creamy way, as butter and olive oil is added in the end. Simple ingredients such as mixed seafood, Spanish rice, garlic, and onions come together for a savory Spanish moment. A dish to share for RMB 228 

HUNGRY LUNGS KITCHEN

POUTINE

Address: 99 Jiashan Lu, near Yongkang Lu, Xuhui district | 4/F, 300 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Huangpi Nan Lu, Huangpu district

Tel: [phone] | 021 6328 8703

Price: RMB 50

Poutine is a Canadian dish, originating in the province of Québec, made with French fries and cheese curds topped with a light brown Montreal gravy and more melted cheese (a savory sauce made from the juices of meats ). It’s not reasonable, but it’s just too tempting to avoid, plus it’s RMB 50 so why the hell not?

LA CREPERIE

SALMON, SPINICH, CREAM & EGG CREPE

Address: 1 Taojiang Lu, near Dongping Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Daily 11am to midnight

Price: RMB 88

Who doesn’t like crepes? Nobody! Because they are awesome. La Creperie is the place to get some of the best in town. Smoked salmon, spinach, fresh cream topped with an egg, this is a great plan. All packed into a traditional crepe, made of whole wheat flour, eggs, water, milk and a bit of oil. Last detail- they are gluten free, so again we’re forced to ask ourselves, why not? RMB 88

LITTLE CATCH

DYNAMITE SALMON POKE BOWL

Address: 99 Taixing Lu, East Area, 2/F, Room B, near Wujiang Lu

Tel: [phone]

Price: RMB 90

Little catch and its refined poke has simple but healthy and delicious recipes. The one they recommend is their signature Dynamite Salmon poke bowl with octopus and avocado added. Generous portion of sushi rice with low calorie/ high-value nutrition, mixed with ingredients such as spicy  mayo, onion, tobiko roe (flying fish’s roe), sesame, frukaki (a dry Japanese seasoning), cashews… count RMB 90 and you will be completely filled. 

LA CABANE

CROQUE MADAME

Address: 1 Taojiang Lu, near Dongping Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Tues to Fri: 5pm-2am, Sat & Sun: 11am to 2am

Price: RMB 75

Delicious and simple, the Croque Madame is a very popular dish in France that you can’t escape. It consists of two pieces of bread filled with béchamel, cheese and ham. It’s then placed on top of bread, another spoon of béchamel, emmental and an egg. The whole thing is baked for few minutes. Rich and consistent, it is a dish for hungry dude (or dudette of course). We don’t really know why they call it “Croque Madame” but it’s so delicious we don’t even care.  RMB 75

FUNKADELI

GORILLABAR

Address: 291 Fumin Lu, Wujin Century Building

Phone: [phone]

Price: RMB 65

Funkadeli now offers salads and they are gorgeous. The one that rises well above Shanghai’s standard is the Gorrillabar (RMB 65).  Bulgur and quinoa base tossed with basil-pine nut pesto, beets, sweet potatoes, cherry tomatoes comfit, chickpeas, slivered almonds. As its name suggests, it is a generous portion of healthy ingredients, some are smooth, others are crunchy. It’s easy to digest and full of nutriments, all at a reasonable price. If you were looking for your next delicious bowl of salad, here it is. 

MADISON KITCHEN

GREAT BALLS OF FIRE

Address: 1414 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu

Hours: Wednesday -Monday 11am to 7pm

Price: RMB55

Life is a picnic so enjoy it at Madison Kitchen. Maybe the best sandwiches in town.  Austin develops some outstanding recipies with no pretentiousness but a ton of delicious. Great Balls of Fire – their classic meatbal sub, is a freshly made baguette toasted with garlic butter, house meatballs and tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Simple but efficient at RMB 55

MUST GRILL

BAA BAA BURGER

Address: 881 Wuding Lu, Bldg 2, 1/F, near Changde Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Daily, 11:30am to 11pm

Price: RMB 98

Must Grill is especially well known for their Tuesday’s burger deal and there are plenty of reasons why. Let’s talk about their Baa Baa’s burger, which may leave you dumbfounded. Imported Angus Beef steak, fried goat cheese, fresh tomato, bell pepper, onion, garlic and basil and last but not least: salsa. That’s Mmmmmm. At RMB 98, the burger can be paired with their buy 1 get 1 Tuesday’s deal. 

OLA

CALDEIRADA

Address: 1105 Wuding Lu, near Yanping Lu, Jing‘’an District

Tel: [phone]

Price: RMB 98

Have a Caldeirada at Ola, which will warm your evening to its core.  This traditionally Portuguese fish stew consists of a mix of lean and oily fish such as mackerel or tuna, as well as lean whitefish such as cod or haddock. The broth consists of pieces of slow-cooked potatoes, onions, green peppers, and tomatoes. To bring out the taste and aroma, few spices are added such as black pepper, bay leaf, coriander, parsley, and sweet paprika. As it is with every great Mediterranean dish, it’s cooked with olive oil and white wine. RMB 98 

SPREAD THE BAGEL

BAGELWICH

Address:

611 Nanchang Lu, near Xiangyang Nan Lu (Tel:[phone])

245 Madang Lu, Room 116, near Fuxing Zhong Lu

Price: RMB40

Every body’s favorite Bagelwiches in the city, this has to be one of our favorite comfort foods in the city. Since the season is getting cold why not hit up the Classic Bacon Egg and Cheddar bagel? With cured sweet and spicy crispy bacon, fried egg, cheddar cheese, tomato and their very own house dressing… Ok enough, just go get one. Priced at RMB 40 

LIQUID LAUNDRY

ROTISSERIE CHICKEN

Address:1028 HuaihaiZhong Lu, J-Sense, 2/F, near Donghu Lu

Tel: [phone]

Price: RMB128 (half) RMB 218 (whole)

Liquid Laundry and its huge venue on Donghu lu, with house made craft beers, comfortable sofas and astonishing pizza oven, is a place to go for any warm night when the weather’s cold. Their Rotisserie Chicken is a perfect option or a casual diner.  We prefer the mouth-watering roasted chicken, 1/2 bird at 128 RMB or 218 RMB for the Whole bird. All of their chickens are marinated with their ancient Chinese secret receipt and slow roasted on their tumbler. Bon appétit!

BROTHERS KEBAB

DONER WRAP

Address:

247 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, No 7, near Wuyuan Lu (Tel: [phone])

115 Zunyi Lu, near Ziyun Lu (Tel:[phone])

310 Fengxian Lu, near Shaanxi Bei Lu (Tel:[phone])

528 Nanquan Bei Lu, 1/F, Room 23, Room 39, near Shangcheng Lu (Tel:[phone])

Price: RMB 40

Their number one selling item is their well-know Doner Wrap. A Middle Eastern laffa type flatbread with grilled meat of your choice and fresh vegetables. Add to that your choice of sauce and you have a juicy Doner Wrap. Their boss personally recommend 3 different sauces – garlic mayo, mint mayo and chili sauce. But you can also ask  their friendly staff for suggestions. By the way they are open until 4 Am on Friday and Saturday nights. Who hasn’t slammed one of these delicious wraps on their way home from a great night out? RMB 40 this heavenly deliciousness. 

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