Taste Shanghai flavours
By Nicco
Photos by Zheng Xiaodong

清亮的苏州评弹,地道的上海风味,素朴又飘逸的桌纸,极具收藏价值的线装书,再加上吴侬软语耳边传,既典雅又现代,一切都非常奇妙地融合在一起,正如她的菜,甜而不腻,这就是"上海·上海 茶酒人间".

Good food is part of our lives. Some are spoilt by the abundance of things to eat, while others fight for survival to feed themselves. China is privileged in that good food is part of the culture and in such a vast country, has unlimited choice and variety.



Foreigners in general, when coming to China for business give little thought to how they will feed themselves. However, those who come to China for cultural reasons place good food as a priority; for this is part of the Chinese way of life!



Arriving in Xiamen, the visitor discovers a beautiful city with a large choice of restaurants from every corner of China. So where to begin? A restaurant is a restaurant, but to discover a "Home from Home" is not easy. It will require a little patience, some local knowledge and a kind friend. Such is the case in finding the "Shanghai Shanghai" discretely hidden away near the Marco Polo, at the end of the Yuandang lake near north Hubin Road.



The "Shanghai Shanghai" (repeated twice so you won't forget) appears different from an ordinary restaurant, since it is more a mix between a Tea Room - quiet, relaxed, and a place to have discussions between friends, etc. The kindly Manageress, Xie Yi, showed my friends and I the treasures of this little corner of Xiamen. At first impressions the simple decor impresses the visitor, the friendly staff who treat you with sincerity and informality makes one feel at home. The cuisine, depending on your choice, is typical "Shanghai" with a variety of choices for you to discover yourself. The dishes I liked in particular were "gui hua tang ou(桂花糖藕)" and "tang cu xiao pai(糖醋小排)" taken with a special fragrant tea(麦茶). During the meal two musicians provided us with a blend of music from Suzhou.



Apart from enjoying the Shanghai style cuisine, guests will also have a close encounter with Chinese traditional culture, silk products and thread-bound books. There is a rich collection of authentic silk products from Suzhou. Every piece of silk cloth is like an exquisite picture telling an ancient story. Those who are interested in ancient Chinese thread-bound books will not be disappointed here and could easily find some treasure for their collection, some of which are seldom found in other places.



Whether you want to share a leisurely time with your close friend or enjoy a big Shanghai style feast in groups, you can find what you want in the Shanghai Shanghai Restaurant. The design of the private rooms and public area have their own character.



We left late in the evening after a visit to the surrounding gardens with its famous door that opens by itself! The visit is worth recommending to friends and others. Until next time.