In a city with over 24 million people, Shanghai has no shortage
of amazing restaurants. Each restaurant is as unique as the city’s inhabitants. Many restaurants cater to the communal dining
experience! I have had a great time learning
about different cultures while dining with friends at these local eateries.
If your party is craving flame-broiled goodness, Korean
Barbecue is the way to go! I have gone to a
couple of Korean Barbecue restaurants, but I have found that Ben Jia is my
favorite.
 |
| The Korean BBQ experience starts with a bucket of hot coals placed in the middle of the table. |
 |
| Then meat and veggies are grilled on a screen or grate. |
 |
| Then pick a piece of lettuce... |
 |
| …wrap the meat and eat! So yummy! |
If you are looking for a soupy good time, go to Haidilao Hot
Pot. Hot pot is like fondue with a sauce
bar. The fun always starts once you set
foot in the restaurant.
 |
| If you don't have a reservation for Haidilao, you may have to wait for a long time. To help pass the time, diners play board games, check their email on waiting area computers, or even get manicures! |
 |
| Once seated in the waiting area, diners snack on complimentary snack food and seasonal fruit. |
 |
| Once seated diners order soup and a variety of meats, veggies, and pastas from the iPad! |
 |
| Most dinners come with two soup bases. One of my favorites is the non spicy tomato base! |
 |
| After ordering, it's off to the sauce bar to create your own dipping sauce from a variety of herbs, spices, and oils. |
 |
| I am a fan of sesame, so I usually mix sesame oil, sesame seeds, chives, coriander, and garlic for my dip! Feel free to experiment; you can get a different sauce if you mess up your secret recipe. |
 |
| It's dinner time! Diners cook their food in the boiling soup! Yummy! |
 |
| A visit from the noodle man is a must for every Haidilao meal! He will dance with and hand pull noodles for your pot! |
 |
| After all that cooking, I needed a free mani! |
Imagine the crispness of a fine roast chicken with the
flavor of a thanksgiving turkey.
That is the flavor of roast duck! If you
don’t have time to travel to the
Capitol
to eat duck, head to Lao Beijing to experience one of my favorite dishes in
Shanghai!
 |
| Chris stuffs his wrapper with onion, cucumber and duck!! |
 |
| The table side presentation reminds me of Thanksgiving! |
 |
| The crisps with kiwi and duck skin are amazing!!! |
It is difficult to beat to 200RMB all you can eat hibachi
and sushi at Tairyo. Like many hibachi
restaurants in the states, the hibachi chef entertains diners with his culinary
magic, however they don’t serve the white sauce that most hibachi restaurants
in the states provide. The meal includes
all you can drink kirin or sake, so prepare to stuff yourself!
 |
| At Tairyo, if one person orders a dish in your party, prepare to eat it! I always leave Tairyo stuffed!! |
Being a Midwestern Catholic, Monday Night Bingo with friends was part of
my culture. When I learned about Bingo
Night at Mr. & Mrs. Bund, I had to teach my international people about one
of the great games from my childhood.
Every third Thursday of the month, one can purchase a two course late
dinner or drink package for 200 RMB and play bingo for some great prizes!
 |
| Many of my friends assume that Chris and I love meat and potatoes because we are American. They are right! The truffle whipped potatoes at Mr. & Mrs. Bund are amazing! |
 |
| Bingo prizes include iPads, teddy bears, luggage, cappucino makers, hotel gift certificates and other random prizes. The grand prize is usually a motorized scooter! |
 |
| There are no B-I-N-G or O's on the board, but we still call out "Bingo!" when we win! |
 |
| The first time I played, I actually won a set of earbuds! |
 |
| The last time we went to Bingo, our table won 4 oversized teddy bears. One bear ended up at my place! |
There are many more great restaurants in Shanghai, but in my
opinion these are a good start. Have fun
dining, my friends!
