Jinshan old town celebrates Spring Festival flavors

Jinshan district's historic old town in Shanghai offers more than festive sights. From morning to midday, the aroma of traditional local foods fills the streets, attracting both residents and tourists.

Fengjing shaomai. [Photo/WeChat ID: jinshanrongmei]

Mornings often begin at a local wine-tasting venue, where a bowl of steaming mutton soup is paired with a sip of mellow yellow wine to start the day. Local intangible cultural heritage snacks, such as Fengjing shaomai, are a must-try. Thin-skinned and filled with juicy pork and crunchy bamboo shoots, each bite bursts with flavor.

Grandma-style rice. [Photo/WeChat ID: jinshanrongmei]

By midday, yellow croaker noodles from Jinshanzui Old Street provide a unique seafood experience. Poached fish in rich white broth combines tender meat with aromatic soup. Homestyle dishes like grandma-style rice with greens and salted pork, slow-cooked over a traditional stove, evoke childhood memories with their fragrant rice and crispy crust.

Rice cakes. [Photo/WeChat ID: jinshanrongmei]

Heavily salted steamed mackerel. [Photo/WeChat ID: jinshanrongmei]

Jinshan's streets are also lined with unforgettable snacks and pastries. Highlights include youdunzi (fried buns), haitang cake, Fengjing zongzi, and handmade rice cakes filled with sesame, walnut, date, taro, or chocolate. In Jinshanzui Fishing Village, fresh seafood such as salted silverfish and locally grilled rice fish captures the unique flavors of the East China Sea.

Seasonal spring banquets feature river fish, field vegetables, and warming soups — simple yet authentic tastes that reflect the warmth of life in Jinshan during the festival.