In Shanghai, people there have their own brunch style, just like Cantonese have dim sum for brunch.
Shanghai Gate, located at 204 Harvard Ave, Allston, MA 02134, is the place that I’d go to when I crave for a Shanghai style brunch, not only because of its authentic Shanghai food, but also its decoration and setting that remind me of the old Shanghai.
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| Graphic on their wall, sooo Shanghainese! |
For brunch at Shanghai Gate. I always order Dou Jiang (soymilk, and you can choose sweet or non-sweet) with You Tiao (Deep-fried dough sticks), which is perfect combo -- please see the reason as you scroll down :)
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| Dou Jiang (soymilk) |
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| You Tiao (Deep-fried dough sticks) |
The reason why they are perfect with each other is that traditionally, Chinese put the You Tiao into Dou Jiang, wait till You Tiao is soaked a little bit, and then eat Yao Tiao and drink Dou Jiang.
Xiao Long Bao (steamed pork bun/Shanghai soup dumplings) is something that you cannot miss. There is a special way to eat steamed pork buns:
Step 1: have a tiny bite of the bun peel
Step 2: drink all the soup inside the bun (be careful, the soup is HOT!)
Step 3: put some vinegar into the bun through the tiny bite
Step 4: enjoy your steamed pork bun!
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| Xiao Long Bao (steamed pork bun/Shanghai soup dumplings) |
