The Urban Edit
With the exception of the much-loved xialongbao (soup dumpling), Shanghainese cuisine doesn’t always enjoy the respect it deserves. Many Chinese diners simply dismiss it as ‘too sweet’. Whilst it’s true that sugary flavours are common, here are five uniquely Shanghai delicacies all foodies will enjoy.
Xiefen Doufu (Crab Meat with Tofu)
Nothing works up an appetite like a hike through the world’s largest palace complex. But finding somewhere to eat and drink afterwards isn’t easy. The Forbidden City is hemmed in by state buildings, touristy shops, exclusive residential compounds, and Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest (restaurant-free) concrete space. But never fear, Bespoke is here to help!
Beijing’s best western restaurant is a 10-15 minute walk from the north gate of the Forbidden City. Best of all, TRB’s set lunch deal is one of Beijing’s foodie bargains: three courses of European-inspired fine dining with lots of tasty extras like their divine cheese puffs and homemade marshmallows, for 135 RMB+15% (4 courses for 188 RMB). Weary legs? Ask the waiter to arrange for the restaurant’s private car to take you back to your hotel, at a fraction over local taxi prices!
We’ve been hard at work for months building a brilliant portfolio of Shanghai Signature Experiences designed to blow your minds. In a good way! Because we believe that the key to appreciating a place is by seeing, understanding, being inspired, and having a fabulous time. Here are six ways to do just that in China’s second city. Click through to our brand new Bespoke Shanghai website to discover even more of the best things to do in Shanghai.
Seeking out great dim sum this far north of the Pearl River Delta was once a quest doomed to failure. The naysayers will tell you there is NO good dim sum in Beijing. One must journey to Guangdong or Hong Kong for a bona fide cha siu bao fix. Well, naysayers… prepare to eat your negative words, drizzled in tangy XO sauce and bound up in a lightly steamed bun.
Jing Yaa Tang at the Opposite House, best known for classic Peking duck with all the fixings, has come to the rescue of forlorn foodies with one of the best lunchtime dim sum fests the capital has ever known. Every day from 12pm-2.30pm, the all-you-can-eat dim sum deal comes in at RMB 118 per person (+15%), with each dish you order on the check-box menu served to order.
Gone are the days when trucks were meant for trucking stuff around while listening to classic rock. From L.A. to London, trucks have become mobile purveyors of high-end comfort food, with tweetable names like DOGZILLA (hot dogs), MEAT WAGON (burgers) and KEBABALICIOUS (err, not salads). And now, Beijing is in on the action. Feast your eyes on… BAO HOUSE.
Before we go on, let’s clear something up. Beijing has had food trucks for years. We practically invented them. Stick a snazzy logo saying “SPUDCYCLE” on the side of this guy and it won’t be long before it gets a Buzzfeed shout-out.
Beijing is hotter than a Sichuan peppercorn sandwich right now, and we’re not going to lie, we’re struggling. Our dedication to cycling to work may be a contributing factor, but being out and about in general is tough when it’s consistently above 35°C…
So what to do when you’re constantly hot and bothered? If your usual methods (drinking water, fanning yourself furiously with a notebook) aren’t working, it maybe time to make like a Beijinger and try something a little more quirky…
