De Xing Guan德兴馆（山西南路店）

About This Restaurant

One of Shanghai's oldest restaurants, founded in 1883 during the Qing Dynasty. A 140-year-old institution that has survived dynasties, wars, and modernization to remain one of the city's most beloved eateries. The Shanxi South Road branch, newly opened in February 2026 as part of the 'Old Brand Food Street' initiative, brings century-old recipes to a fresh location steps from Nanjing Road. The undisputed star is the braised pork knuckle noodle soup (焖蹄面), a dish so iconic it was nicknamed 'Shanghai's Number One Noodle' and recently went viral after appearing in a hit TV drama. The pork knuckle is braised for hours until it reaches impossible tenderness — the meat surrenders to the slightest pressure of chopsticks, dissolving into a rich, amber-colored broth with a depth that speaks to decades of perfected technique. Beyond noodles, De Xing Guan serves a full range of Shanghainese classics at prices that defy inflation: xiaolongbao with delicate skins and abundant broth, shengjianbao with their signature crispy bottoms, and seasonal fresh pork mooncakes in autumn. The ground floor operates as a fast-paced noodle hall where locals slurp their morning noodles standing shoulder to shoulder, while the upper floor offers a more relaxed dining room for family-style meals. This is not refined dining — it's honest, soulful, deeply traditional Shanghai cooking that connects you directly to the city's culinary roots.