Coming to Shanghai was all about seeing Mark and Sheryl. I wasn’t looking to sightsee too much as I did a lot of sightseeing when I was in Shanghai in 2008. Oh and Mark promised to show me many dumpling houses while I was in town and when I saw him in Bhutan in June, he said he was already planning out all the eating and dumpling houses so we would have a full agenda. So I was excited for friends, eating and dumplings!
Dumpling Tour
My first day there, Mark said he was going to take me to one of his favorite little hole in the wall dumpling places. Sheryl mentioned there wasn’t any atmosphere, but the food was great. So Mark and I took the subway to People’s Park area and were off to this dumpling house (no name on the outside…you just need to know about it).
Mark said it was so popular, you had to either go at an odd hour or wait in line forever. So we opted to get there about 3:30 and there was no wait. When we walked in, the lady knew Mark (good sign) and Mark was able to order for us. There were no printed menus, there were just a few items listed in Chinese on the wall. Mark said he knew the menu well and knew what to order so I said ok. We had a few different types of Soup Dumplings and they are my favorites. These little dumplings have some meat inside and then some hot soup so when you eat the whole thing, the soup oozes out in your mouth. Delicious!
The first dumpling house we went to
Waiting patiently for our soup dumplings
China’s local beer with heavenly soup dumplings
I thought we were done with dumplings, but then Mark said lets go across the street to another place. I was already pretty full (and we were going out to dinner in a few hours). He said he wanted to get some of these different dumplings for Sheryl as she really likes them. So I watched as they made a different kind of dumpling, and these were pan fried. Here you had to order and pay inside, then go outside to the window to wait and either take it inside to eat now or take it to go. We were about the 5th person waiting in line for the cooked dumplings and again…quite a popular place.
The second dumpling house we got some to go for Sheryl
On my last day, we went to my final dumpling place called Din Tai Fung. This is the really famous place in Shanghai for soup dumplings (and I just learned they opened some locations in the US including Los Angeles…so I’m very excited). I went to a Din Tai Fung in 2008 and was excited to go back. These are the best soup dumplings ever. Mark, Sheryl and I went and I will say we completely overindulged…but that’s the point. Eat the dumplings till you can’t eat anymore.
The famous Din Tai Fung dumpling chain
It’s quite an assembly line to make the soup dumplings (and they are timed on production)
Pearl Necklaces
While I was in Shanghai, I wanted to get some pearl necklaces made. I know Shanghai is well known for beautiful pearl and this was something I was looking to get while in town. Mark and Sheryl had found a great pearl shop, which was owned by a woman name Julie. Julie was very proud to be the owner of her shop as it’s quite rare for a woman to own a store. When we came in, Julie took through a very through pearl education of salt water vs fresh water pearl and really taught us about the different in quality. I really had no idea how much difference there was in pearl, but there is. I finally decided on the fresh water pearls and had Julie make necklaces for me. She strung each pearl, knotting each one. It was crazy how fast she cold string and knot, but then again, it wasn’t her first time making a necklace. It was quite impressive.
Julie, the owner of this pearl shop, making my new pearl necklaces.
Living and Shopping like Expats
The rest of my time in Shanghai was spent just enjoying living the Expat life with Mark and Sheryl. We went to some local stores as they were shopping for a few things for their home and I wanted to get a few more gifts that were more local.
We took the dogs out walking around the French Quarter neighborhood where they lived. The French Quarter is so cute and has great restaurants. A lot of Expats live in the French Quarter so there was a lot to do and many choices in food which was nice.
The Bund
On my last night, we went down to The Bund for dinner. From here it was a perfect viewing point of the Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower. I wasn’t aware if changed colors but throughout dinner, the tower changed colors which was fun to see. The area along the Bund was packed, and this was a Sunday night. After dinner, I had to say goodbye to my friends as I had a midnight flight to the Philippines.
Night out on the Bund over looking The Pearl Tower
Dinner out with Mark and Sheryl
So the three days in Shanghai were packed with friends, fun and food and it was all I hoped for.
Mark and Sheryl – Thank you again for all your hospitality and a really fun time visiting!
[jetpack_subscription_form]
Logistics:
Din Tai Fung – Famous Dumpling House (Here is the US link – you can find locations in China, Taiwan and others cities – www.dintaifungusa.com)