Shanghai’s foodie credentials have never been more prolific – featuring ever higher on ‘Best Restaurant’ lists and in the glossy write-ups in international travel mags. But of course that’s just a tiny part of the story – the vast majority of locals rarely make the trek to the Bund for fine dining, and why would they, when some of the best food in the city comes from a hole in the wall?
That’s right, the food we’d happily pole-vault the Great Wall of China for is in fact much more local. There are just a few things you need to experience it: an empty stomach, a willingness to veer off the beaten track, and, with nary a word of English spoken in most tiny local establishments (let alone written), a lot of guidance is key. Enter Bespoke and our foodie expert: an experienced, well-connected food critic who knows every culinary corner of the city. Roll up your sleeves and prepare to jostle for a red plastic stool – we’re taking you local.
Houhai Lake is hardly known for its hip and happening boutiques – but one woman plans to change all that.
