6 Must-Try Pop Ups in Shanghai

6 Must-Try Pop Ups in Shanghai
By Trey Archer , eChinacities.com

Before we go any further, what exactly is a pop up? Basically, it’s a temporary restaurant and/or food stall that literally “pops up” during beer festivals, music concerts, art exhibitions, etc. Luckily for the expats and locals of Shanghai, most of the pop ups around town are not just temporary installments but rather restaurants with permanent addresses. That perfect because we can enjoy their cuisine while partying at one of the many special events of Shanghai as well as during our free time when we’re just craving their deliciousness. Presented below are our favorites, so keep an eye out for them at the next fiesta. 

1) Ruijin CajunView In Map
Ruijin Cajun is hands down my all-time favorite. Chef Matt (straight out of New Orleans) kicks things up a notch with kick-ass Cajun cuisine, the perfect eats for any fais do-do. At their pop ups, my favorite is the Swamp Dog – a Creole hot dot with French bread and imported andouille sausage smothered with creamy shrimp etoufee – but they also have jambalaya and other meals. The best way to wash it all down is with no other than a Hurricane or Grenade (those who have been to Bourbon Street know exactly what I’m talking about). The restaurant itself is located inside Kangaroo in the French Concession and it has a wider selection on the menu like crawfish etoufee, po-boys, a popular shrimp/andouille/gouda/cream cheese cake, and much more.


Source: Smart Shanghai

Address: (Inside Kangaroo). 35 Yongjia Lu, near Maoming Nan Lu
地址:永嘉路35号,近茂名南路
Tel: 5466 6066
Website: www.ruijincajun.com
Avg Price Per Person: less than 100 RMB

2) Little MermaidView In Map
I’m not trying to turn this article into a sausage fest, but Little Mermaid’s Danish hot dogs are the perfect fit for any pop up party. Little Mermaid’s dogs are a bit smaller than Ruijin Cajun’s, and the style is completely different. At Mermaid, choose between a hotdog bun or a baguette, then either a grilled or boiled sausage, then pick a the sauce(s) and toppings – expect the ordinary ingredients like mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, pickles, etc. You can also throw in a side of fries and drink for a combo. Their permanent location on Yongkang Rd also serves up fried chicken, so you can already see that it’s a good place to soak up all the booze after a long night out on the town.


Source: City Weekend Shanghai

Address: 146 Yongkang Lu, near Xiangyang Nan Lu
地址:永康路 146号,近襄阳南路
Tel: 1316 603 9653
Website: www.lmhotdogs.com
Avg Price Per Person: less than 100 RMB

3)La CoyotaView In Map
For spicy grub south-of-the-border style, look no further than La Coyota. They have everything you would expect at a standard Mexican restaurant – fajitas, burritos, tacos, tequila, Mexican beer – and the Mexican owner Gabriela does a very good job at keeping the prices low and flavor traditional and zesty. You can easily spot them at any event because they’ll have reggaeton blasting from mega speakers, Mexican tricolor flags waving in the breeze, and even a small area next marked off for people to dance, booty grind and/or salsa. If you’re looking for a sit down meal check out their location in the French Concession.


Source: Smart Shanghai

Address: 292 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Wuyuan Lu
地址:乌鲁木齐中路292号, 近五原路
Tel: 152 2107 7632
Website: www.lacoyotamexfood.com
Avg Price Per Person: about 50 RMB

4) BYFO Hot sauce
BYFO is the list’s only true pop up since they don’t have a home base. They strictly stick to the philosophy of hosting events at random restaurants across town (Captain Rooster and BYFO seem to be close buddies) and showing up at special events to burn a hole in everyone’s mouth with their hot sauces that come in a variety of flavors, colors and spice levels. As the name suggests, they’re a hot sauce company at heart, but what they do is use their incredibly delicious sauce to top it off on lamb burgers, beef burgers and wings. BYFO is a must as they get rave reviews from the expat community, so definitely check them out wherever they may be.


Source: The Hot Saucier

Tel (for hot sauce delivery only): 1502 643 6724
Avg Price Per Bottle of Hot Sauce: 100 RMB

5)Brother’s Kebab
Possibly the most loved drunk food in the entire United Kingdom, kebabs also graces partiers in Shanghai with juicy lamb, chicken and beef donners. Do kebabs really need an explanation? Wrap your choice of meat with a flat pita bread, choose your choice of veggie toppings, then add some hummus, tzatziki and/or hot sauce to the mix. Adding a few French fries never hurt anyone either (in fact they’ve probably saved a few souls from an excruciating hangover the next day). Brother’s is a chain with five locations around the city, so be sure to check their website for the one nearest you or, even better, indulge with them at the next Shanghai pop up festival! FYI, during pop ups they offer a free beer with the purchase of any kebab.


Source: Trip Advisor UK

Address: see website for all five locations
Website: www.brotherskebab.com
Avg Price Per Person: about 60 RMB for a kebab combo

6)Mr Waffle
When you need a break from the meaty, spicy, heavy snacks listed above, Mr Waffle is a phenomenal option. These traditional Belgium waffles are made the same way they are in the motherland, as Mr Waffle cooks up airy, light-as-a-feather waffles and tops them with mouthwatering sweets for a delectable dessert – gooey ice cream of all flavors, home-made whip cream that’s heavier than the waffle shell itself, fresh fruit… the list goes on. Unfortunately, they don’t have standing location, but they do deliver! I know who I’m calling on my lunch break…

Source: Time Out Shanghai

Tel: 1561 852 4236
Avg Price Per Person: less than 100 RMB

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Keywords: Shanghai drunk food Pop ups in Shanghai

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