Shanghai Travel Backpack: How to Pack for a Food Tour

Shanghai is a food lover’s paradise, where East meets West in a delicious fusion of flavors. From sizzling street food to Michelin-starred dim sum, packing the right essentials for a food tour can make or break your culinary adventure. Whether you’re diving into xiaolongbao at a hole-in-the-wall or sipping craft cocktails in a speakeasy, your backpack should be as well-prepared as your appetite.

The Ultimate Foodie Packing List

1. Lightweight, Spacious Backpack

A compact yet roomy backpack is key. Opt for one with multiple compartments to separate snacks, utensils, and souvenirs. Water-resistant material is a bonus—Shanghai’s weather can be unpredictable, and spilled soup is no joke.

2. Reusable Utensils & Containers

Many street vendors don’t provide utensils, so pack:
- A foldable spork or chopsticks (bonus points for travel-friendly designs).
- A collapsible silicone bowl for sharing dishes like jianbing (savory crepes) or chou doufu (stinky tofu).
- A stainless steel straw for bubble tea emergencies.

3. Portable Wet Wipes & Hand Sanitizer

Shanghai’s food stalls are legendary, but napkins? Rare. A pack of wet wipes will save you from sticky tanghulu (candied fruit) fingers.

4. Insulated Water Bottle

Stay hydrated between bites of spicy mala xiangguo. Fill up at cafes or your hotel—tap water isn’t drinkable.

5. Mini First-Aid Kit

Include:
- Antacids (for those huoguo spice overloads).
- Band-aids (blisters from walking the Bund are real).
- Motion sickness pills (if you’re taking a foodie river cruise).

Dressing for the Feast

1. Comfortable, Stretchy Clothing

You’ll be eating a lot. Think elastic waistbands and breathable fabrics. Pro tip: Dark colors hide sauce splatters.

2. Slip-On Shoes

Many restaurants require removing shoes (especially in traditional shikumen spots). Stylish yet easy-to-kick-off footwear is a must.

3. Compact Umbrella or Rain Jacket

Shanghai showers can strike mid-shengjianbao crawl. A packable umbrella won’t weigh you down.

Tech & Extras

1. Power Bank

You’ll be snapping endless food pics for Instagram—don’t let a dead phone ruin your xianyu bao (fish bun) close-up.

2. Translation App Offline Mode

Not every menu has English. Apps like Google Translate (download the Mandarin pack) help decode dishes like “lurou fan” (braised pork rice).

3. Cash in Small Bills

Many vendors don’t accept cards or digital payments. Keep ¥10 and ¥20 notes handy for quick transactions.

Must-Try Foods (& Where to Pack Them)

Breakfast: Jianbing at Shouning Road

This crispy crepe with egg and chili sauce is a morning ritual. Pack a napkin—it’s messy!

Lunch: Xiaolongbao at Jia Jia Tang Bao

Soup dumplings demand precision. Use your collapsible bowl to catch spills.

Dinner: Hongshao rou at Old Jesse

This caramelized pork belly is rich. Antacids, anyone?

Late-Night: Chuan’r on Yunnan Road

Skewered lamb with cumin? Yes. Wet wipes will be your best friend.

Pro Tips for the Savvy Food Tourist

• Peak Hours Avoidance: Hit popular spots like Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant before 11 AM to dodge lines.
• Local Guides: Book a food tour for hidden gems (and let someone else navigate).
• Leftovers Strategy: Stash extra shengjianbao in your silicone container for a midnight snack.

Shanghai’s food scene is a marathon, not a sprint. With the right backpack setup, you’ll savor every bite—without the hassle. Now, go forth and eat like a local!