Shanghai Nosh Advisory, has teamed up with City Weekend to show you some of the best authentic local fare in Shanghai. In this blog, we visit the Heart to Heart Dolphin Restaurant to check out their noodles and wontons.

Heart to Heart Dolphin Restaurant (xīn lián xīn hǎitún cāntīng, 心连心海豚餐厅) has a happy name and serves noodles and other snack fare in a clean diner-style environment. The mess hall has been recently remodeled into a spacious, well-lit area that locals flock to during the lunch hour for Shanghai classic noodle dishes and other family style favorites.

I believe that Shanghai noodle fare is among the weakest in the realm, but I have to admit Heart to Heart’s májiàng miàn (麻酱面) is very tasty. It is nothing more than thin, lukewarm noodles in a sesame sauce, with just a touch of heat from red pepper infused oil. These noodles are done right and a plus – charming tableware.



Other classics, such as fried noodles and là ròu miàn (辣肉面) are available as well.



For me, the best choice at Heart to Heart are the delicious fried wontons stuffed with pork and shepherd’s purse (jìcài, 荠菜), a terrific filling combination which is particular to Shanghai.



For the daring, consider stir fried pork liver (jiàng bào zhūgān, 酱爆猪肝), which many customers seem to enjoy, but I personally find nauseating.

The friendly service, efficiency and value offered at Heart to Heart (many dishes sell for under RMB15), makes it an easy choice above chaotic old-guard Shanghai noodle establishments.

DETAILS

What: Heart to Heart Dolphin Restaurant (心连心海豚餐厅)

Where: 304 Nanquan Bei Lu (at Qixia Lu), 浦东新区南泉北路304号(近栖霞路)

Tel: 021-58772277

English menu: no