Shanghai ChefsAbout the Culinary World of Shanghai

There is plenty of books and websites that will give you information on Shanghai. However, we want to try and keep this as short, interesting and relative to the industry that we are in. Most of the scoop gathered here is sourced from Shanghai expats who have been through and survived the ordeal of finding a place to call “home”.

With a population that precedes over 20 million (bordering 21 million), the natural vibe of the city is to be in a motion of constant push and shove. You might want to cling on your manners as long as possible, but if you’re going to survive Shanghai, it’s okay to adapt your kitchen language into your daily grind.

The Division Between Luxury and Culture

Shanghai is distinctly divided into two main sections by the Huangpu River – Pudong and Puxi. The majority of the city’s energy and life revolves around the Puxi area. It is highly debated amongst some expats that Pudong is not exactly part of Shanghai, as it is somewhat detached from the real Shanghai scene. (This debate can be continued in the forum section…)

Puxi is undoubtedly the central area where Shanghai historically built herself. It is engraved with memories of Shanghai’s Golden Age, but at the same time also holds promises for a successful future. What more can you expect from the Opium Den of the nineteenth century?

Whilst Puxi may be the focal area for shopping, key attractions and city lifestyle, Pudong is the financial centre of Shanghai. It boasts of its own record-towering skyscrapers such as the Shanghai World Financial Center, Jin Mao Tower and of course, the conspicuous and garish Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Pudong is actually a preferred location for most expat families as there are numerous compounds which are already equipped with all the trimmings and doesn’t require much venturing out into the real hubbub of Shanghai.

To find out more about Puxi and Pudong, please click on the ‘Residential Areas’ category.