Shanghai Airport's Must-Try Food Delights

what to eat in shanghai airport

Shanghai is known for its great food scene, but the options at Shanghai Airport are less impressive. Travellers have reported that the airport's food options are expensive and unsatisfying. However, there are still some places to eat, including Western chains such as Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, and Pizza Hut, as well as Chinese restaurants serving localised menus. If you're looking for a quick bite, these options might do the trick, but if you're seeking a more memorable dining experience, you may want to consider leaving the airport to explore the culinary delights of downtown Shanghai.

Shanghai Airport Food Options

Characteristics Values
Food Quality Generally disappointing
Options Western food, Chinese Food, Korean Food, Japanese Food, Halal Food, Fast Food
Restaurants Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Subway, Costa, Qingji Restaurant, Bricco Cafe, LA Pasta, Mutekiya Ramen

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Fast food options at Shanghai Airport

Shanghai has two airports, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport. While the former has been likened to a mall with a wide variety of food options, the latter is said to have a disappointing selection of eateries. However, both airports offer fast-food options, which are detailed below.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

This airport has many food options, including Chinese and Western food, as well as fast food. Some of the fast-food options include:

  • Starbucks
  • McDonald's
  • KFC

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Although Shanghai Pudong International Airport is known for its sparse selection of good restaurants, it does have some fast-food options, including:

  • Starbucks
  • McDonald's
  • KFC
  • Burger King
  • Subway
  • Pizza Hut

In addition to these international fast-food chains, there are also Chinese restaurants unique to Pudong Airport, such as one that serves RMB70 lamian with hot water and pork soul.

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Chinese food at Shanghai Airport

Shanghai has two airports, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Both airports offer a variety of Chinese food options for travellers.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) offers Chinese food options in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. While specific restaurant names are not available, one source mentions that the domestic terminals are much better for food than Pudong International Airport.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) has several Chinese food options in Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2). JinJiang DaChu, located in T2, serves ordinary Chinese food with a focus on Zhejiang cuisine. MeiLin Ge, also in T2, serves Chinese food with a Zhejiang influence as well. ShangHaiRen Jia is another Chinese restaurant located in the airport, offering Shanghai cuisine. In addition, there are several Chinese restaurants that are unique to Pudong Airport due to the owners being well-connected. Their lamian with hot water and pork soul is highly recommended.

While not exclusively Chinese, Grappa's, located on the second level of T2, serves a mix of Italian and Chinese dishes. YueCai XiaoGuan, located in Pudong Airport, serves Chinese food with a focus on Cantonese cuisine.

Overall, while Shanghai's airports may not be renowned for their culinary offerings, there are still several options for travellers seeking a taste of Chinese cuisine before departing or during a layover.

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Starbucks at Shanghai Airport

Starbucks at Shanghai's Pudong Airport is located in Terminal 2. It is a good option if you're looking for something familiar and guaranteed to be good. The coffee is tasty and the service is friendly, albeit a little slow. The prices are the same as in the city, which is a bonus when you're at an airport. The facility is clean, and the staff are bilingual. You can also get takeout from this Starbucks.

The Starbucks at Pudong Airport has received an average of 3.5 out of 5 stars on Tripadvisor, with 27 reviews. One review says:

> "Large flat white and a blueberry muffin is always good! The service is friendly although very slow, it took 20 minutes to get a coffee... The prices are the same as in the city which is good when at an airport."

Another review says:

> "I visited the Starbucks in the International terminal of the airport. The facility was clean and the staff was pleasant and competently bilingual. I had the cold-pressed coffee as did my wife. It was properly prepared and very tasty. I would definitely recommend this..."

In addition to Starbucks, Shanghai Pudong Airport also has a range of other food options, including Western food, Chinese food, Korean food, McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Costa, and FCCAFé DECO.

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Japanese food at Shanghai Airport

If you're looking for Japanese food options at Shanghai Airport, your best bet is to head to the check-in area. There, you can find a Japanese menu set-up that has received good reviews from travellers. While the international terminals at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) are said to have mediocre food options, you may be able to find some Japanese dishes or similar options in the mix of Western, Chinese, and Korean food offerings available throughout the airport.

In Terminals T1, T2, S1, and S2, you can explore a variety of restaurants and cafes, including well-known Western options such as Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, and Costa. If you're looking for a sit-down meal, there are Chinese restaurants in the airport, some of which may offer Japanese dishes or adaptations. It's worth checking the menus, as you may find Japanese-inspired options or Asian fusion cuisine.

One traveller specifically mentioned that the vending machine food on the highway to Pudong Airport is of similar quality to the airport food but offers better value. So, if you're looking for a quick bite, that could be an option. However, keep in mind that leaving the airport during a layover may not be the best idea, especially if you're short on time.

While the food options at Shanghai Airport may not be the most impressive, you can still find places to satisfy your hunger. If you're looking for a more extensive variety of Japanese cuisine, you may want to consider exploring the city of Shanghai itself if your layover allows for it. The city is known for its diverse and delicious food options, and you may have a better chance of finding authentic Japanese restaurants or specialty sushi bars outside of the airport.

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Eating at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport has a wide variety of food options available in Terminals 1 and 2. Since its opening in 2010, the number of restaurants in Hongqiao T2 has more than doubled from 21 to 45, with a diverse range of food and beverage (F&B) outlets.

In Terminal 1, you can find options including Western food, Chinese food, fast food, Japanese food, halal food, and outlets such as Bricco Cafe, LA Pasta, Mutekiya Ramen, Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, and Costa. Terminal 2, also known as the Hongqiao Gourmet Promenade, features several high-end dining options, including Michelin-starred restaurants Ren He Guan and Tim Ho Wan, Din Tai Fung, Soup Delice, Cova, Ippudo, and T9. The terminal also offers a mix of popular and trendy restaurants and cafes, such as Shake Shack, Baker & Spice, Menya Musashi, and HeyTea.

The airport is committed to continuously improving its F&B offerings to meet the demands of domestic and international passengers. The recent upgrades have transformed the traditional model of low-cost and limited variety into a shopping mall-like experience. The airport plans to further enhance the dining experience with the construction of Phase II of the Hongqiao Gourmet Promenade, providing greater convenience and diversity for all travellers.

If you have a longer layover or prefer to explore the city's culinary scene, you can take a taxi to the downtown area and discover a variety of restaurants and cuisines that Shanghai has to offer.

Frequently asked questions

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport offers a wide range of food options, including Western food, Chinese food, Japanese food, halal food, and fast food. Some specific restaurants and cafes include Bricco Cafe, LA Pasta, and Mutekiya Ramen.

Shanghai Pudong Airport has a variety of food options available in Terminal T1, T2, S1, and S2, including Western food, Chinese food, Korean food, and fast food. Some specific options include Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, Costa, and Qingji Restaurant.

Shanghai Pudong Airport is known for its limited selection of high-quality restaurants. However, there are a few options for a quick bite, such as Burger King, Subway, and Starbucks. For a more authentic Chinese dining experience, it is recommended to leave the airport and explore downtown Shanghai.

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