A Da Congyoubing Back in Business, Giving Free Scallion Pancakes

By Betty Richardson

A Da Scallion Pancakes, one of the city's best-known street food vendors was forced to close his famous hole-in-the-wall shop last month due to an expired license, leading many to think that was the last Shanghai would see of famous proprietor, Wu Gengcheng.

Not so; A Da is back in business at a shiny new location on Yongjia Lu, and we can tell you first hand that he's brought his enormous crowd of followers with him. Despite being the first day of business, nearly 80 people were waiting to get their hands on A Da's famous scallion pancakes, beloved for their oven-finished crispness and savory green onion filling.
In an interesting twist, meal delivery giant Ele.me is apparently responsible for expediting A Da's transition to the newly licensed store. That's was told that the company's interest was merely to see a legendary Shanghai food vendor stay in business, and that A Da's congyoubing wouldn't be making an appearance on the delivery platform anytime soon.

Ele.me also apparently subsidized A Da's first day of business, as the congyoubing were being given out free for one day only, albeit limiting customers to two bing each. It's unclear if the two bing rule will stay in place following the first-day promotion.

Other than the location, not a lot has changed; Wu's cave-like kitchen at his former location has been upgraded to a brighter, more modern facility and Wu himself has been given a classy white chef's hat, which we say looks bloody great on him.
As for the bing themselves, we're pleased to tell you they're more or less the same as they were at the old spot.

A Da Congyoubing, No. 4, 120 Ruijin Er Lu, by Yongjia Lu.

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