When you wander through the deep lanes of Shanghai or stroll along the bustling Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, a rich blend of meat and rice aroma will inadvertently linger around your nose — this is one of Shanghai’s most iconic traditional snacks, the unique charm of Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes. For foreign travelers who want to understand the warmth and vitality of Shanghai’s daily life, there’s no need to stick to high-end restaurants. A bowl of sTeaming hot Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes, crispy on the outside and glutinous on the inside, can take you to touch the most authentic taste of this city and feel the centuries-old food Culture and craftsmanship inheritance of old Shanghai.
The history of Shanghai Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes can be traced back to the 1920s, which is a microcosm of the integration and innovation of Shanghai’s food Culture. During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, water-ground rice cakes were introduced to Shanghai from Lianghu, Zhejiang Province, and quickly became popular in the market due to their glutinous but not sticky and delicate taste (Summary 1). Later, some merchants tried to combine tender pork ribs with water-ground rice cakes, and after continuous improvement, they gradually formed the well-known Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes today. In the 1930s, it had become one of the most popular snacks on the streets of Shanghai, and even appeared in Shen Bao (Shanghai News) (Summary 4). In recent years, with the popularity of the TV drama “Blossoms”, the Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes often eaten by the leading characters in the drama have become popular again, becoming a must-try food for Chinese and foreign travelers to check in Shanghai, bringing new vitality to this old Shanghai snack (Summary 4).
The essence of authentic Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes lies in “tender ribs, glutinous rice cakes and fragrant sauce”, and every link embodies craftsmanship. The selection of ribs is very particular. Fresh pork spine or rib chops are preferred, which are tender and have a good balance of fat and lean meat. After removing the fascia, they are repeatedly beaten with the back of a knife to break the meat fibers, then marinated with rice wine, green onions, ginger, soy sauce and other seasonings to ensure a tender and not dry taste (Summary 6, 10). The battering link is even more crucial. Mix flour, water chestnut powder, five-spice powder and eggs into a paste, and evenly wrap it on the surface of the ribs. This can not only lock the meat juice, but also make the outer skin golden and crispy after frying (Summary 1). The rice cakes are traditional water-ground rice cakes, which are delicate in texture and moderate in stickiness. After frying or stewing, they absorb the meat aroma of the ribs and the flavor of the sauce, glutinous with a hint of chewy texture, not sticky to the teeth or mushy (Summary 9).
In Shanghai, Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes are mainly divided into two schools with different flavors but equally delicious, which are worth trying one by one for foreign travelers. Among them, “Xiande Lai” is a representative of time-honored brands, founded by He Shide, the originator of Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes. It developed from a stall in the lane to a well-known snack shop, known as the “King of Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes” (Summary 4). The ribs here adopt the process of “first frying and then soaking”. The outer skin is crispy and golden, the inner meat is tender and juicy, and the rice cakes are slowly soaked and cooked in seasoned hot oil. Drizzled with special spicy soy sauce, it has a unique flavor of sweet and salty interweaving (Summary 4). The other school is represented by the former “Xiao Changzhou” Dim Sum Shop, which selects fresh pork spine meat from Wuxi, Changzhou and other places. After being marinated with soy sauce, it is boiled in an oil pan mixed with seasonings until it turns purple-red. The rice cakes are made by hand beating, which are more chewy. With the secret sauce, they are rich and delicious (Summary 1, 4).
For foreign travelers who want to taste the most authentic Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes, the following shops are absolutely not to be missed, and they are conveniently located, very suitable for inclusion in the travel itinerary. The headquarters of “Xiande Lai” on South Xizang Road is one of the most popular Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes shops in Shanghai, with a long queue at the door all year round. The decoration of the shop retains the style of old Shanghai, with an average consumption of only 20-30 yuan, which is very cost-effective. Take Metro Line 8 to Dashijie Station and walk for 5 minutes to reach it (Summary 4). In addition, the branch of “Xiao Shaoxing” on Yunnan South Road Food Street, in addition to its signature White-Cut Chicken, also has very distinctive Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes, made by traditional craftsmanship with an authentic taste. There are many other Shanghai snacks around, allowing you to unlock a variety of flavors at one time. If you want to experience the urban atmosphere in the lanes, you may wish to go to the unnamed stall near Laoximen. Although it has no signboard, it has attracted many locals and travelers with its years of reputation. The boss is skilled, making it on the spot, and every bite is the original taste of old Shanghai.
There are also small skills in eating Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes, which can make your taste experience better. It is recommended to take a bite of the ribs first to feel the crispness of the outer skin and the tenderness of the inner meat, then match it with a piece of rice cake soaked in sauce. The glutinous taste neutralizes the greasiness of the ribs, with rich layers. For travelers who like strong flavors, you can add an extra spoonful of Shanghai’s characteristic spicy soy sauce, which is slightly spicy with sweet and sour, and can stimulate the flavor of the ingredients better (Summary 4). In addition, Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes paired with a bowl of Chicken Blood and Duck Blood Soup or Single-Serve Soup is an authentic old Shanghai breakfast. The light soup can relieve greasiness and make the overall taste more balanced (Summary 6). It should be noted that the overall taste of Shanghai Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes is slightly sweet, which is a major feature of Shanghai’s diet. Travelers trying it for the first time can adapt slowly, and I believe you will be attracted by this unique flavor.
In addition to tasting delicious food, foreign travelers can also feel Shanghai’s food Culture and urban feelings through Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes. In the streets of old Shanghai, there used to be Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes stalls all over the streets and lanes. The stall owners fried and cooked ingredients by the stove, and the diners sat around, listening to the “sizzling” sound of ingredients being put into the pot, and tasting the sTeaming hot snacks — this is the most real warmth and vitality of Shanghai (Summary 4). Today, although the times have changed, Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes are still a nostalgic delicacy in the hearts of Shanghai people, carrying the childhood memories and urban feelings of several generations. While tasting Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes, you can also communicate with the shop owners or local diners to learn about the historical stories and production secrets of this snack, and deeply feel the humanistic charm of Shanghai.
As one of Shanghai’s food business cards, Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes is not only a snack, but also a cultural symbol, witnessing the urban changes and food integration of Shanghai. It does not have complex production processes, but with its simple taste and unique flavor, it has conquered generations of diners. For foreign travelers coming to Shanghai, you may wish to take a little time to walk into a time-honored shop, order a portion of Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes, and in the sTeaming heat, taste the urban flavor of old Shanghai, feel the warmth and inclusiveness of this city, and let this authentic snack become the most unforgettable taste memory in your Shanghai trip.
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