Eating in China
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Shanghai breakfast: the four staples, buns & bowls

Dabing, youtiao, cifantuan and doujiang are Shanghai’s four breakfast staples: flatbread, fried dough, a filled sticky-rice roll and soy milk. They are choices to combine, not a compulsory four-part order. Compare sweet and savoury styles, or choose pan-fried buns or soup dumplings instead.

Editorial guide ·

Generated illustration of the round savoury scallion-and-sesame version of Shanghai breakfast dabing.
Shanghai breakfast flatbread · 上海大饼
In this guide

Choose by texture and appetite

  1. Compare the descriptions and choose one starting point.
  2. Try a crisp food with a softer bowl or drink, or a savoury food with a small sweet bite. Ask how many pieces come in one serving before ordering several items.
  3. Open a food to see its recorded ingredients and eating notes. Fillings, broth, sauces and cooking fats can vary; describe what you avoid when ordering.

Phrases to show at the table

这个来一份。

One serving of this, please.

一份有几个?

How many pieces are in one serving?

这个含饮料吗?

Is a drink included?

这个是甜的还是咸的?

Is this sweet or savoury?

Turn curiosity into a shortlist.

Pick one food you are curious about and keep its Chinese name with your notes. Use the questions above when you compare it with a restaurant menu.

Explore Shanghai food

Save your picks and organise them into a food trip.

Choose by texture and appetite

Compare the descriptions and choose one starting point.

The four breakfast staples

Food

Drinks

Pan-fried buns or soup dumplings?

Food

A noodle meal

Food

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