Shengjian (pan-fried buns) are a widely loved delicacy that originated in Shanghai. There are many restaurants and snack shops in Shanghai that serve shengjian. Among them are time-honored brands like Da Hu Chun and You Lian Sheng Jian, and more modern options like Xiao Yang Sheng Jian, which has a popular outlet on Wujiang Road.

Normally, shengjian are made with flour and stuffed with pork and fried in large pans. However, there are also places that serve novel versions of shengjian with strange shapes and fillings. The Global Times recently visited some of these places across town, and chose three of the best.

Black codfish shengjian

 

 

Artistically decorated in a 1920s retro style, Wu Jian Dao (58 Huaihai Road East) is small and comfortable, with vintage ceiling lamps and large posters of Shanghai movie stars from the 1920s and the 1930s and background music from the same era. You may choose to sit along a long table at the center of the restaurant or at one of several small round tables in the corner.

At noon the restaurant bustles with activity and it may take some time for your order to be served.

The black codfish shengjian is a specialty of the restaurant. Their outer coating is made with black rice and stuffed with cheese and codfish. A chef at the restaurant said that the stuffing is boiled in small pots, rather than the larger ones that are normally used, for a more tender taste.

Served in a long black dish, the black codfish shengjian are sprinkled with white sesame and spring onion. As with all shengjian, they are filled with juice so be careful when taking a bite.

The restaurant also serves other local favorites such as old Shanghai cheese and old Shanghai plum syrup. You can even order Shanghai malted milk, a nearly extinct local delicacy.

'Dumpling' shengjian

 

 

Many first-time visitors to Shanghai find it difficult to tell the difference between shengjian, shaomai and Shanghai dumplings, which all look similar. To confuse matters further, a restaurant called When Mr Bao Meets Miss Dou (No.7, Lane 248 Taikang Road) has created a new snack that is part shengjian, part dumpling.

Called "shredded radish dumpling shengjian," they are triangular and look like dumplings, but have the crispy texture and oily taste of shengjian. The buns are served in an iron pan and are stuffed with shredded radish and scrambled egg.

The restaurant is cozy and quiet, with a small balcony on the second floor, and Wi-Fi access, so you can spend hours reading or surfing the Web over a drink.

Yellow croaker shengjian

Photos: Xie Jun/GT

 

Xiang Xing Ji (7 Wanhangdu Road) is a famed restaurant chain in Shanghai that specializes in local snacks. One of their specialties is yellow croaker shengjian.

The juicy shengjian are stuffed with soft yellow croaker meat and pork. You may also match it with a bowl of sweet sago milk and a fried pork chop.

The interiors of Xiang Xing Ji are decorated in a retro style, with many vintage articles from the 1960s and the 1970s such as thermal bottles, old biscuit boxes and sewing machines.

The restaurant is small and has a neat layout. On one wall there is even a poster instructing people how to eat shengjian.