As the Chinese New Year approaches, Shanghai's streets begin to fill with the familiar scents of the season. Markets bustle with shoppers, and long-established food shops display their classic treats. This guide highlights some of the city's most cherished Chinese New Year foods and the places where locals continue to buy them, year after year.
Eight-treasure rice pudding
A traditional dessert served as the last course of a Chinese New Year meal, eight-treasure rice pudding, also known as babaofan, is made from glutinous rice blended with lard, sweet red bean paste, and an assortment of dried fruits and nuts. Xinghualou's version follows a traditional method, with soft, aromatic rice, smooth bean paste, and a rich yet balanced sweetness. It is often associated with reunion and good fortune, making it a popular Chinese New Year purchase.
Where to buy:
Xinghualou, No 343 Fuzhou Road, Huangpu district
Butterfly-shaped puff pastry
This flaky, caramelized pastry is known for its layered structure and strong butter aroma. At Huadian Cake, located in Shanghai First Foodhall on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, the pastries are freshly baked on site and sold throughout the day. Crisp on the outside and light inside, they are commonly bought in bulk during the holiday, either for guests or as an everyday snack at home.
Where to buy:
Huadian Cake, Shanghai First Foodhall, No 720 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district
Mung bean cake
A long-standing Shanghai pastry made from peeled mung beans and glutinous rice flour. Shen Da Cheng's mung bean cakes are finely textured and mildly sweet, often described as "melting" on the palate. The brand's Chinese New Year gift boxes typically include classic and pistachio flavors. The word "cake" sounds similar to the word for "high" in Chinese, symbolizing progress and good fortune.
Where to buy:
Shen Da Cheng, No 636 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district
White Rabbit candy
Few treats are more closely tied to childhood memories of Chinese New Year than White Rabbit candy. The milk-based sweet, wrapped in edible rice paper, has been a holiday staple for generations. Today, the brand offers assorted gift boxes featuring multiple flavors and small plush accessories, often shared among family members during festive gatherings.
Where to buy:
White Rabbit Store, No 100 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district
Sesame balls
A deep-fried glutinous rice snack coated in white sesame seeds and filled with sweet red bean paste. Crispy on the outside and chewy inside, sesame balls are especially popular with older generations but remain widely loved. They are often reheated at home and served warm, adding a familiar, street-level feel to the Chinese New Year table.
Where to buy:
White Magnolia Cake, 1F, Huilian Commercial Building, Nos 40-90 Tianyaoqiao Road, Xuhui district
Cured meats
Cured meats are an essential part of Shanghai's winter and Chinese New Year food culture. At Taikang Foods, counters are stacked with Jinhua ham, air-dried pork, sausages, and cured duck. These items are typically used in home cooking, steamed with bamboo shoots, added to soups like Yan Du Xian, or simply sliced as cold dishes.
Where to buy:
Taikang Foods, No 766 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district
Zaolu dishes
Zaolu is a traditional Jiangnan method for marinating cooked and chilled meat, vegetables, or seafood in a lightly alcoholic brine. Made from aged rice liquor and infused with herbs and spices, the brine lends the food a gentle, aromatic flavor. Shao Wan Sheng, founded in 1852, is famous for its classic zaolu offerings. These dishes are usually served cold and are often included as starters at family gatherings during the Chinese New Year.
Where to buy:
Shao Wan Sheng, No 414 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district
Pickled vegetables
After several days of rich holiday dishes and snacks, pickled vegetables are a practical addition to the table. Peili Pickles, known for its hand-crafted process and balanced flavors, is a long-time favorite. Items such as pickled cucumber, mixed vegetables, and mustard greens are commonly eaten with congee or noodles, helping to refresh the palate through heavier meals.
Where to buy:
Shanghai National Specialty Food Store, Nos 483-499 Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu district
Red sausage and potato salad
Shanlin Dahong's red sausage, springy, garlicky, and mildly smoked, is a Shanghai classic that is typically eaten cold or lightly pan-fried. It is often paired with Shanghai-style potato salad, mixed with peas and diced ham, lightly sweet and creamy. This combination appears on many family tables year after year, despite the long queues needed to buy it before the holiday. Where to buy:
Room 1016, Caodongli, No 1 Caodong Branch Road, Xuhui district
(Sources: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, VCG)
Source: Intl Services Shanghai
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