Spring in Shanghai is the season of delicious food! Chefs in the city use fresh veggies to create amazing dishes that celebrate the season. From classic favorites to new creations, eating out in Shanghai during spring is always a treat for the taste buds.

What to eat: xiangchun (Chinese toon sprouts)

Xiangchun, considered the only tree vegetable in China, is one of the most beloved spring vegetables due to its unique fragrance. In Yong Fu, it's served mixed with tofu. The leaves are made into a sauce, which is then combined with the delicate flavor of the tofu. The combination is reliably refreshing.

Where to eat: Yong Fu

Location: 12F, Jinjiang Hotel, No 59 South Maoming Road

What to eat: jicai (shepherd's purse)

Jicai, or shepherd's purse, is a seasonal vegetable used in stir-fried rice cakes at Lyceum, a restaurant known for its Shanghai-style dishes. To balance flavors, the chef meticulously adjusts ingredients for texture and seasoning, enhancing the dish with shredded pork and lard for added fragrance.

Where to eat: Lyceum

Location: No 130 Jinxian Road

What to eat: tomatoes

Tomatoes are essential ingredients in Shanghai's iconic borscht soup, which is best enjoyed at DeDa Western Restaurant. Established in 1897, this historic eatery has perfected the soup, simmering top-quality beef with tomatoes to create a rich and flavorful dish that is sure to whet your appetite.

Where to eat: DeDa Western Restaurant

Location: South Yunnan Road Number Two

What to eat: caotou (a clover-like trifoliate herb)

Caotou is a staple vegetable of Shanghai's springtime menus. One of the city's renowned dishes is stir-fried caotou with braised pig's intestines, a blend of sauteed caotou and braised pig intestines that create a delightful mix of contrasting flavors.

Where to eat: Lao Zheng Xing Restaurant

Location: No 556 Fuzhou Road

What to eat: spring bamboo shoots

Spring bamboo shoots are commonly used in Chinese recipes, complementing various ingredients with their crunchy texture and sweet flavor. A popular dish in Shanghai is yanduxian soup, which combines sweet and crunchy bamboo shoots with salted pork, fresh porklike ribs or pork belly, and tofu skin knots or celtuce. The blend of these flavors results in a mouthwatering culinary experience.

Where to eat: Yuan Yuan Restaurant

Location: 2F, Lippo Plaza, No 222 Middle Huaihai Road

What to eat: malantou (Indian aster)

Malantou is a traditional ingredient in Shanghai, commonly used in salads or stir-fries. Malantou xianggan is a refreshing dish that combines mixed Indian aster with smoked bean curd. A hint of sesame oil brings the dish to a whole new level.

Where to eat: Lao Ren He Restaurant

Location: No 558 Middle Huaihai Road

What to eat: broad beans

One classic Shanghai dish is stir-fried broad beans in scallion oil, which is best enjoyed in early spring. The rich aroma of scallion oil complements the fresh, sweet flavor of the broad beans, resulting in a truly enchanting culinary experience.

Where to eat: Sanmalu Restaurant

Location: No 413 Hankou Road

Sources: WeChat account of Huangpu district administration of cultural and tourism, WeChat account of Shanghai Municipal Administration of Cultural and Tourism