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Get Ready to Stir Up Some Trouble With Newly-Opened Dǎo Jiàng Hú

Sophie Steiner ShanghaiWOWeng 2018-11-29

We’ve all seen it before; the boisterous Shanghainese ayis decked out in their going out PJs and hair curlers, sitting at the entrance to their lane house and gossiping away loudly without a care in the world. “Did you hear that Mr. Zhang’s daughter gained 10 kilos!?” “I heard that Miss Li’s son got into Boston University last week.” “Mr. Mao’s son-in-law drinks too much baiju.” 



It’s all about stirring up trouble in the neighborhood and Dǎo Jiàng Hú, which is a Shanghainese colloquial term for doing just that, embodies the mischievous yet fun spirit that mirrors aspects of local Shanghainese culture.



The restaurant is set back from Donghu Lu, down a sparkly lit alley with large images of the restaurant’s logo pasted on the wall. You'll immediately feel like the chatting ayis are welcoming you into their gossip circle. As the glass double doors swing open, it’s hard to not be immediately captivated by the funky, retro style décor that includes Chinese elements, something that sort of reminds me of a 70s-style hangout tucked away in San Francisco’s old Chinatown.



The bright interior is accentuated by large bold and colorful paintings made by local artist, Basmat, a close friend of the restaurant owner Betty Ng.


A large accent wall located near the bar is covered in a curtain of bright plastic Lisa Frank-esque blue, pink and purple hair curlers, which guests can feel free to pop in their own hair and sport throughout dinner if they so choose.


Deep-fried Yu-xiang Spring Rolls (RMB 48)


As a whole the space is fun, young, and fresh, especially accompanied by the eclectic mix of music, soft lighting, and twinkling fairy lights dotting the expansive patio outside. After opening up shop in just 2.5 weeks in Peruvian restaurant Ekeko’s old space, we couldn’t believe how quickly everything was transformed.


Kung Pao Mushrooms (RMB 68)


With Ng’s other restaurant, a Shanghai foodie scene favorite Ginger, the focus is on Asian fusion, but at Dǎo Jiàng Hú, it’s all about China. After extensive travel around China, Ng applies her experiences with food and culture to the dishes she created for Dǎo Jiàng Hú’s menu. 


Pork and Squid Wontons (RMB 58)


Since her most recent trip last May was to Sichuan province, many of the dishes on the current menu involve a Sichuanese flavor profile and modern twists on classic Sichuanese dishes, such as Mapo Tofu (RMB 68) made with feta or the most delicate Pork and Squid Filled Wontons (RMB 58) nestled in fragrant spicy chili oil. The menu will continue to evolve over time and change its focus on different regions of China based on Ng’s future travels around the country.


The cocktail menu involves just as many options as the food menu. With the former bar manager of the W Taipei, Courage Chuang, as the brains behind the inventive Chinese-inspired cocktail menu, every libation highlights at least one Chinese ingredient. Each one is different and exotic, yet still local compared to what you would normally see around town.


Imperial Sangria (RMB 68)


Like a boozy glass of Ba Bao Cha, the souped-up Imperial Sangria (RMB 68) comes with longan, dried red dates and lychee rather than the standard citrus found in Spanish-style sangria.


Similarly, the Elegant Moli (RMB 78) is a boozy gin-forward drink that creatively combines Jasmine tea, tart Moscato and a warming sweet honey for a Chinese twist on the Prohibition Era classic, the Bees Knees.  


Elegant Moli (RMB 78)


The food itself isn’t heavy or too oily, and the kitchen refuses to use any MSG. Instead they focus on preserving the original flavor of the ingredients and modernizing dishes using foreign components and Western cooking techniques. 


The portions are petite yet filling, making it an ideal spot for a date or small group gathering involving a light dinner and happening beverages. The ultimate goal of the restaurant, according to Ng, is to “create a modern Chinese kitchen to provide patrons with a chic and cool space to dine, relax, and have fun with friends and family.” In my humble opinion, this goal has already been accomplished.


The Barbequed Iberico Pork Collar with Lotus Buns (RMB 68) should be on everyone’s list when they arrive at Dǎo Jiàng Hú. Although not the most enticing presentation, it was fun to “play with the food,” building mini pillowy bao-wrapped sandwiches that just hug the layers of thick fatty pork, pickled veggies, spicy marinated pineapple slices, crunchy shaved radish, and micro greens.


Barbequed Iberico Pork Collar, Lotus Bun (RMB 68)


Drizzle the whole thing with a thick homemade hoisin sauce - that I could (and did) literally eat by the spoonful - and you’ve got yourself a fun and delicious appetizer.


Prosperity Yue Sang Salad (RMB 68)


The Prosperity Yue Sang Salad (RMB 68) is a must-order, and something I would come back for when craving a healthy lunch option or a fresh, bright side to balance out the heavier main dishes. 


Loaded with large pieces of citrusy snapper ceviche topped with a generous portion of thinly shaved daikon, carrots, pomelo, and crispy wontons, this salad playfully arrives at the table with a hongbao filled with crunchy peanuts and toasted sesame seeds. Paired with a sweet and sour plum vinaigrette that I’ve already tried to recreate at home, this is the dish that keeps on giving.


Lacquered Donpo Pork (RMB 88)


Served on a bed of the most luscious braised daikon and garnished with crunchy shredded cabbage and microgreens, the sticky, savory, and sweet Lacquered Dongpo Pork (RMB 88) had me licking the plate clean. Smothered in a soya caramel sauce, the pork arrives glistening, almost too beautiful to eat. Below the melty fat cap sits a fall-apart-just-by-looking-at-it piece of tender pork. 


With a shmear of spicy, thick wasabi-style Karashi mustard, the juxtaposition of flavors in this dish really blew my mind. This pork paired with the Prosperity Yue Sang Salad are a match made in heaven and the ideal balance of heavy/savory and crunchy/fresh.


Dan Dan Noodles (RMB 38)


In China it’s hard to find someone that doesn’t like dan dan mian, but with Dǎo Jiàng Hú’s Dan Dan Noodles (RMB 38) it would be actually impossible. The thick, chewy noodles are topped with savory minced pork, pickled vegetables, chili crisps, peanuts, and the spiciest, yummiest sesame soy dressing imaginable. 



My life would be complete if I could go swimming in a vat of that sauce, slowly drowning in sesame heaven.  


Pandan and Guizhou Smokey Chili (RMB 15 per scoop)


For dessert, the rotating flavors of ice cream at RMB 15 per scoop are a steal, and the winner goes to the Pandan flavor. A creamy blend a coconutty vanilla easily cools off your mouth after consuming that Sichuan spice. For those that just can’t get enough of the heat, the Guizhou Smokey Chili flavor is a fun mix of cooling cream followed by a lingering spice.  


I was so surprised to see how far this restaurant has come given the fact that its only been open about three weeks, and I look forward to following the menu’s progress as it develops to include flavors and dishes from other regions of China.


Dǎo Jiàng Hú

Address: 20 Donghu Lu

Tel: 5404 8085

Hours: Monday to Friday, 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-11pm; Saturday to Sunday, 11:30am-11pm





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