Cheap Eats: Shanghai's Best Rice Pancakes
Shanghai is a city spoiled for choices when it comes to breakfast options, but one delicious morning treat stands out from the rest: rice pancakes.
While simple in composition and preparation, the classic combination of ground rice flour pancakes and fried dough fritters is hard to beat.
The rice pancake is a breakfast staple amongst Shanghainese families; equally perfect as part of a shared morning meal with loved ones or as a grab-and-go snack for busy working adults and students. Here are some of the best pancake shops in town!
Please note that there might be a slight difference between the store’s stated and daily operating hours due to the unpredictable nature of street food stalls.
While Shanghai street food used to be readily available, new health regulations and changing demands have led to the demise of many traditional breakfast shops, with many owners switching to mobile shops with no fixed location.
Luckily, these five stalls still serve these delicious and hearty pancakes!
Breakfast truck in Yangpu District
Subei Rice Pancakes (Mobile Breakfast Truck)
Address: Antu Lu, near Qingyu Dong Lu and opposite Bus 118 interchange
When: 05:00 – 09:00
In the long line of morning breakfast trucks parkd near the Antu Supermarket, keep an eye out for one selling Suzhou rice pancakes. The pancakes here come with the option to add a fried egg, which makes for a heartier breakfast experience.
How Much: Rice Pancake for RMB 1.5/Piece, add a fried egg for RMB 3
Payment Methods: Cash, WeChat and Alipay
While waiting, watch on as the chef demonstrates his skills in making these tasty treats!
Other mobile breakfast trucks here serve up street flood classics such as: spring onion pancakes, rice cakes, Shandong pancakes, pot stickers and more.
Breakfast Shop in Putuo District
A-Jian Soymilk and Dough Fritter Shop
Address: 288 Xixiang Lu
When: 05:00 – 17:00
A-Jian is a such popular breakfast store that the shop was even featured on the news. It is the only shop on this list that offers a dine-in option.
How Much: Rice Pancake for RMB 2/Piece, Dough Fritter for RMB 1.5/Stick
Payment Methods: Cash, WeChat and Alipay
Expect a long queue when dining here as it is a favorite breakfast option amongst Jing’an residents.
Follow the smell of freshly cooked rice pancakes that wafts through the entire street.
We highly recommend the classic combination of soft pancake with a crispy, fried dough fritters.
The soft rice pancakes have the right amount of moisture and just a hint of flavor due to the addition of fermented alcohol. This morning treat will go great with a cup of their sweet in-house made soy milk.
Rice Pancake Store (In front of Huiyang Gejingyi Biandang Store)
Address: 376 Zhenning Lu
When: 05:00 – 09:30
This stall is quite famous as the breakfast chef was once featured on TV. This shop is actually across Fu 1088 instead of within, and operates from 05:00 to 09:30 daily. The chef’s years of experience result in an airy batter with perfect golden brown pancakes and a rich, fragrant alcohol essence.
Freshly made in-store, the shop sells around 10 batches of rice pancakes daily, with a three to four minute wait each time for a fresh batch
How Much: Rice Pancake for RMB 2/Piece, Add a dough fritter for RMB 3.5/Stick
Payment Methods: Cash
Uncle Rice Pancake Store
Address: 2257 Zhen Guang Lu
When: 06:00 – 09:30
While the dough fritters and rice pancake combination has a simple appearance, the mastery with which they prepare this favourite local breakfast is more than the sum of its parts.
How Much: Rice Pancake for RMB 2/Piece, Dough Fritter for RMB 4/Pair
Payment Methods: Cash, WeChat and Alipay
The pancakes have a pleasant aroma derived from the alcohol fermentation process, and a soft but chewy texture.
Breakfast Shop in Changning District
Rice Pancake Breakfast Store (In front of Lanzhou La Mian)
Address: Wu Yi Lu, next to Shanghai Changning Civil Affairs Bureau
When: 5-9:30am
This store front is just outside the Lanzhou La Mian shop, husband and wife team specializes in dough fritters and rice pancakes.
When comparing these to others around town, you will appreciate the hefty size of the dough fritters which will shatter pleasingly when chewed.
How Much: Rice Pancake for RMB 2/Piece, Dough Fritter for RMB 2/Stick
Payment Methods: Cash, WeChat and Alipay
Their pancakes are actually a bit drier than other varieties with a heavier alcohol flavour coming through.
Do not delay and rush to grab hold of one (or more) of these rice pancakes before they are gone! If you have other good rice pancake stores to recommend, please feel free to comment them in the comments section below.
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