Renowned Cantonese Restaurant Xinghualou
驰名粤菜·杏花楼

First established in 1851 during Emperor Xianfeng's Reign of the Qing Dynasty, Xinghualou Restaurant is renowned for its classic Cantonese foods and superb Moon Cake.

According to the legend, the founder of Xinghualou was a man named Sheng Zai from Guangdong Province. Sheng opened a restaurant called "Tanghualou" on today's Fuzhou Road. It was a small-scale late-night dining place that mainly served Cantonese style deserts and porridge. In 1857, two Cantonese businessmen Hong Rujie and Cheng Shengfang bought the restaurant and renamed it to Xinghua (2) lou which means China. The business was expanded and its menu included light snacks and hearty main dishes. During the day the restaurant offered Cantonese Style Rice with Preserved Meat and Duck, while at night, the restaurant served Five Species Porridge, Duck Meat Porridge and other foods. As more Cantonese people came to Shanghai to do business, Xinghualou Restaurant was also getting more popular.

However, the turning point of the restaurant was when restaurant manager Mr. Ou was replaced by famous chef Li Jinghai. As soon as Chef Li took over his post, he changed the existing business model of serving casual meals to fine cuisine and special event planning, such as catering and banquet services. Shanghai's emergent, thriving metropolitan life increased the demands for quality products and services of the food and beverage industry. To further expand the company's business operations, Li recommended the establishment of a public limited company to raise funds. In 1927, the restaurant was renovated and expanded to a four-storey steel building. After that, the grand-scale restaurant officially changed its name to Xinghua (1) lou which means Apricot Flower Building.

Speaking of the renaming of the restaurant, there is actually an interesting story behind it. After renovation, despite of making good sales, Xinghua (2) lou's reputation was not well-known. At that time, among the regular customers there was a middle-school teacher named Mr. Su Baohua. On day, after tasting the gourmet foods, Su suddenly got inspired and said to his friend manager Mr. Li: "How about changing the name?" Mr. Su boldly commented that after the renovation, as business was getting better every day, the restaurant still needed a more impressive name. He suggested changing "Xinghua (2) lou" to "Xinghua (1) lou". Then he recited a famous poem "A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Clear and Bright Day; The mourner's heart is going to break on his way. Where can a wine-tavern be found to drown his sad hours?

A shepherd boy points to a hamlet amid apricot flowers far away.".

Drawing a reference from the famous poem, the name Xinghua (1) Lou suggested a close association of gourmet food and wine, and also it was commonly known in China. The name conjured up feelings of friendliness, familiarity and elegance. The change of one character further revealed the true character of the restaurant. The name was loved by everyone. "Great!" said Mr. Li joyfully and decided to adopt the new name on the spot. He said "So it shall be called Xinghua (1) lou!" A high-class restaurant needed a prominent calligrapher to write the name on the sign board. Through an introduction by a celebrity friend, Mr. Li asked Mr. Zhu Ruzhen, who was ranked No. 3 in the last national imperial examination during the late Qing Dynasty, to write the name. Zhu was also a native of Guangdong Province.

On the seven Chi (a Chinese measuring unit approximately equivalent to one foot) long, three Chi wide mahogany horizontal board the three Characters, "Xing-Hua-Lou" were inscribed in gold paint. The sign board indicated that the characters were written in winter. Also there were imprints of two seals, one was Zhu Ruzhen's name and another was his title. Passbys could not help but to take a glance at the impresive sign board.

In the 30s of the last century, Xinghualou enjoyed outstanding reputation at home and abroad. After China declared victory in the Anti-Japanese Aggression War, Xinghualou became a prominent restaurant in Shanghai. During that era, some high ranking officials of the Chinese Nationalist Party, officers of American and British consulates and socialites in Shanghai became VIP clients at Xinghualou Restaurant.

Xinghualou produces a diverse variety of dishes and snacks by using carefully selected ingredients. They are delicious, exquisite, light tasting and can please any palate. The famous Cantonese dish include Barbecued Pork, Xishi Shrimp, Steamed Pike with Mushroom, Battle of Tiger and Dragon, "Four Vegetarian Treasures" and more than 300 kinds of popular gourmet foods of all seasons. Celebrated Cantonese dish Xishi Shrimp is a culinary creation made from peeled shrimp and fresh cream being stir-fried in hot oil. Stir-fried Beef with Oyster Sauce, Sweet and Sour Pork, Aromatic Chicken with Scallions were one-of-its-kind gourmet dishes. When American Democratic Congressman Edward Kennedy was invited to China, he visited Shanghai and had a meal at Xinghualou. He tasted Xishi Shrimp, Deep Fried Ice Cream, Stir-fried Beef in Oyster Sauce and other fantastic delights. Mr. Kennedy was extremely satisfied and praised the foods: "Today we have enjoyed an excellent meal. I hope I could stay in China for 6 months and eat meals here every day." He also said: "It would be great if you could open business in Boston!"

Fortune Suckling Pig

鸿运乳猪

Salt and Pepper Shrimp Rich

椒盐富贵虾

Braised Goose With Plum Sauce

梅酱烧鹅

Fried Shark's Fin Osmanthus

桂花炒鱼翅

Green Prawn Balls

翠绿明虾球

Stir-fried Tenderloin Chunks With Oyster sauce

海鲜酱爆花腩

Oyster Sauce Buckle Abalone

蚝皇汁扣鲍鱼

Not only Xinghualou specializes in Cantonese cuisine, it also makes superb Moon Cakes. The Xinghualou brand Moon Cake is made with top-quality ingredients, characterized by thin shell, abundant filling, intense aroma and perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness. It has a beautiful shape and displays an attractive golden brown color. Xinghualou's Moon Cakes are beyond doubt unique in flavor and exclusive in style. They enjoy an outstanding reputation in Shanghai, all over China and even overseas. During Mid Autumn Festival, there is always a huge line-up outside of Xinghualou's front door to buy the Moon Cakes, creating a unique and striking scene in Shanghai market. Even Guangdong (where Cantonese Style Moon cakes were originated) Provincial Television Station representative office in Shanghai hurried to sent out journalists to interview people and to hunt for the secrets of the phenomenal success. From 1995, Xinghualou started to export Moon Cakes to Japan and South East Asia.

Address: 343 Fuzhou Road

Telephone: 021-63553777

Hours of Operation: 11:00 - 14:00

17:00 - 22:00