Wang Lu tackles the lesser-known Jiangxi cuisine with a masterful hand, serving up more than just spice and heat.

A household name in Shanghai for really porky potstickers. Head to Hong Yu Fang in Huangpu district for some traditional guotie, pleated and sizzled to order.

Kingichi is a single-counter ramen shop near East Nanjing Road that does clean-tasting tonkotsu-based ramen soups and a fantastic pork cutlet.

VIVANT by Johnny Pham is a fine dining restaurant that fuses French and Asian flavors. Think dishes like bouillabaisse with fish maw, pigeon with huangjiu, and a pho-inspired course.

Jia Jia Tang Bao is a famed xiao long bao restaurant in Shanghai that started as a mom-and-pop shop in 1986. Nearly a dozen locations in Shanghai.

Lao Men Kuang is a traditional Beijing-style hotpot chain that specializes in hand-cut lamb and beef. It is also listed as a halal restaurant.