Playful, eclectic eatery dedicated to food culture
Yongkang Road had a new tenant move in recently and it’s pleasing to find that a playful, eclectic concept, true to local food culture has opened its doors.
Man Long Chun is a two-floor, 32-seat eatery specializing in Shanghai xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). Unlike those crowded holes-in-the-wall that are supposed to offer some of the city’s best speciality, Man Long Chun ensures the same, or even better tastes, in a much more pleasant environment.
It features a fun-loving vibe integrating some Art Deco elements and contemporary cool materials. It’s an instant mood lifter: An open kitchen on the first floor while pastel colors dominate the second floor, with some retro patterns reflecting a by-gone era. Eat here and you will enjoy an experiential culinary journey. It feels hip, relaxed and discerning, all at the same time. Although it was opened just over a month ago, the menu is good. It is comforting, with occasional inventive delights, packed with original flavors that will make Man Long Chun an eatery where you will return to again and again.
Man Long Chun features a fun-loving vibe integrating some Art Deco elements.
The creative mind behind Man Long Chun is the founder of Marienbad Cafe, a popular hang-out spot and one of the first tenants on Anfu Road. Lu Xiaoxun later opened another trendy eatery, Jingang Wonton, offering local snacks and specialties.
His ambition is even bigger. He doesn’t want people to recognize Man Long Chun as the only decent place to enjoy the local specialty of xiaolongbao.
“I think we lack a real xiaolongbao brand here in Shanghai and that’s my goal in the long term, to build up Man Long Chun as the first brand for Shanghai xiaolongbao,” Lu said.
He took a long time to perfect the local xiaolongbao recipes, using high-quality ingredients and a special stock for the pork mixture. The key is the skin that manages to hold the masses of soup and pork without breaking.
The Sichuan Pepper Chicken Xiaolongbao (25 yuan/US$3.8/6pcs) and Shrimp & Shrimp Roe Xiaolongbao (30 yuan/6pcs) that give a nice twist on the traditional flavors, are highly recommended.
The eatery offers a menu packed with original xiaolongbao flavors, and occasional inventive delights as well.
The Sichuan Pepper Chicken Xiaolongbao has a fragrant green pepper flavor that leaves a tingly numbness linger on the tongue. The ongoing hairy crab season means you can’t miss out on the Crabmeat and Pork Xiaolongbao (48 yuan/6pcs) and, the “luxury” versions of Crab Butter Xiaolongbao (68 yuan/2pcs) and Crab Spawn Xiaolongbao (58 yuan/2pcs).
Besides the must-try xiaolongbao, recommended is the cold boiled local chicken (38 yuan), another Shanghai delicacy reserving chicken’s original flavor. Dumplings in chicken stock (18 yuan) is another comfort item for the season. To give off an authentic experience, Lu has selected a seasonal Crafted Winter-Brewed Yellow Rice Wine 2012 (88 yuan/180ml) to be the right accompaniment for food pairing here.
Info
Opening hours: 11am-2pm (weekday lunch); 11:30am-3pm (weekend lunch); 5pm-10pm (dinner)
Tel: 5465-1667
Address: 73 Yongkang Rd
Average price: 70 yuan
