M&M's World, Shanghai

Previously:

Crab Roe Noodle from Zhuang Shi Long Xing, Shanghai

If you are a family with young kids or you are just simply young at heart and have a thing with chocolates.  Then you must visit this famous M&M World, the flagship store in Shanghai on Nanjing Lu/Road.  The two-storey store is more like a little M&M museum for me.  It's another theme park for my little ones as well.  They have everything from colourful M&M's chocolates to merchandises to your own personalised photo and initial on each button.  

I was mesmerised by their Great Wall of Chocolate.  More than 10 meters long wall that full of colour organised M&M's chocolate candies.  Many colours that I've never seen before.  They have the mini chocolate, milk chocolate to my favourite one, peanuts.  We went crazy filling up a candy bag with a bit of here and there until we got two full bags of these goodies.  Actually, it wasn't me but my kids.  Once we felt proud of what we're getting, we then saw this personalised candy where you can print words or picture on the chocolate button.  It was too late because we got two bags full of chocolates already on our hands.  So, unfortunately, we gave it a missed otherwise we all are going to be hyper.

  

 

It was our lucky day, we got to meet Red while visiting the store

M&M's ice cream

M&M's World Store

G Floor Shimao Festival City No. 829

Nanjing East Road, Shanghai

Ph: +86 2316 2888

Open: 7 days from 10am -10pm

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Shanghai:

Crab Roe Noodle from Zhuang Shi Long Xing, Shanghai

Previously:

Hefu Noodle in Hongyi Plaza, Shanghai

Your trip in Shanghai won't be complete without indulging in one of their national noodle dishes.  It is none other than crab roe butter noodle.  Shanghai is famous with their hairy crab.  You can have them super simple, like just a steamed crab or treat yourself to this version where they handpicked and done all the hard work, so we as customers can just enjoy those sweet juicy crab chunks minus all the hassle. 

Before coming here, I had been searching and searching for the best crab roe noodle restaurant.  And this restaurant called Zhuang Shi Long Xing made into my top three selection and they won an extra point from us because of their location which is only less than 10 minutes' walk from our hotel.

So, on our second day, we planned to have this crab roe noodle for our brunch.  Because based on people's reviews, this restaurant could get very busy around dinner time.  We started with a light breakfast like some mochi and coffee while waiting for our early big meal.  When we were there at around 10 in the morning, the store was still pretty much empty.

 

First look on their menu, I thought Geezz!!!!  Their noodle is very pricey, they are all about 168 CNY per bowl.  But then to think again, it is pretty reasonable though, as crab is sooo expensive, right!  We ordered a couple of crab roe dishes, one with noodle and another one served with steamed rice.  It sounds weird to have them on rice but it turned out to be my favourite dish of the day and of course that deep fried pork was delicious as well.

 

Golden crab dried noodle CNY 168 (around AUD

They cooked their noodle al dente, still chewy which is exactly what I like.  And Oh Boy!!! They gave generous amount of crab roe butter sauce.  They come separately, so we need to pour the sauce on top of the noodle and give a little stir to mix them well.  Don't forget adding some splash of vinegar.  That tanginess enriched the flavour.    

Golden crab steamed rice CNY 168 (around AUD 

With the rice dish, we did not actually pour all the sauce in because we didn't want to get it all mushy.  Somehow that creamy buttery sauce goes super well with a plain steamed rice.  It gives the feeling like eating a rich rice porridge. 

Fried pork chop CNY 28 

I totally recommend this pork side dish.  It was cooked to perfection.  Crispy and flavoursome.  

Crab & pork xiao long bao (soup dumpling) CNY 58 (around 

To be honest, I could not really tell that there is crab meat inside this dumpling.  Don't get me wrong!!  They were delicious and it is one of good dumplings I've ever tried, but the pork and other seasoning overpowered the crab meat so the crab itself didn't shine. 

Overall, we had a very satisfying brunch.  A must try dish while you're visiting Shanghai.  And definitely do an early lunch to avoid the crowd.

Zhuang Shi Long Xing Restaurant

441 Zhejiang Road, Huangpu, Shanghai

Ph: +86 21 63226152

Open: 9:30 am - 9:30 pm

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Shanghai:

M&M's World, Shanghai

Hefu Noodle in Hongyi Plaza, Shanghai

Previosuly:

Grand Central Hotel and Nanjing Road, Shanghai

First time in Shanghai and first meal ever.  We arrived pretty late in the afternoon, so I was not feeling like travelling far to hunt a food from my bucket lists.  Then, my bro-in-law who came here two days earlier, recommended this place which is not so far from our hotel and located inside the same mall of the biggest Pop Mart store.  They are inside Hongyi Plaza on Nanjing Road.  

The restaurant was quite packed but luckily, we got that highchair table in the middle right away.  We ordered a few entrees as well as some noodle soup and a rice dish.  The food came fairly quick.  

Deep fried pork CNY15 (around AUD 3.50)

Fried potato CNY 8 (around AUD 1.80)

This fried potato may look simple but don't be deceived by its look because they are absolutely delicious.  Crispy on the outside but inside is still moist and soft.  It tasted not only the saltiness but there was definitely some spice in it.  Very weak smell but I can definitely taste it. 

Noodle soup with braised beef brisket CNY 39 (around AUD 8.60)

The broth was spicy but not crazy spicy, just enough to give you a warm fuzzy feeling to combat a cold winter day.  Not forget to mention, the meat was so tender and fallen off the bone too.

Herbal pork bone soup CNY 36 (around AUD 8)

This herbal broth was very aromatic and creamy.  The noodle itself was cooked to an al dente. 

Lurofan - rice with rugao tatsoi and meat sauce CNY 32 (around AUD 7.10)

This rice dish is very similar to the Taiwanese lurofan.  It also comes with a type of Chinese cabbage from Rugao.  At first, I thought the vegies would be bitter, but I was mistaken.  It was lightly oiled and salted and it balanced the meat perfectly.  The rice on the bottom turned into crispy rice because of the hot stone bowl they used.  It added a nice crunchy texture into the dish. 

Hefu Dry Noodle (Hongyi Plaza Branch)

299 Nanjing East Road, Huangpu, Shanghai

Hongyi Plaza underground

Ph: +86 182 6250 5300

Open: Everyday from 10am - 10pm

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Shanghai:

Crab Roe Noodle from Zhuang Shi Long Xing, Shanghai 

Grand Central Hotel and Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Previously:

Turkish Airlines Lounge in Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok

We stayed at a hotel called Grand Central Hotel located in Jiujiang road which is one street behind the main pedestrian shopping street, Nanjing Road.  Location wise, it is superb.  Close to everything.  The hotel itself looks elegant and grand.  The room is so spacious and clean.  The service here is also satisfactory.  We totally enjoyed our stay there.

Upon passing a small alley opposite our hotel, we found ourselves on the brightest, busiest and most renowned road of Shanghai, none other than Nanjing Lu or Nanjing Road.  And from there it takes around 20 minutes' walk to The Bund.  Along the way, we can find mall after mall, shops, and plenty of restaurants.  This is the main shopping district of Shanghai.  At night, when the clock strikes 6, all lights around The Bund area turn on as well as buildings on the other side of the river.  It is so magical.  The town becomes so lively all of sudden. 

Before and after

The Bund

The Bund

Blueberry tanghulu - sugar coated fresh fruits

Beef skewers sprinkled with some spices

White Rabbit candy store on Nanjing Road

When I was young, this candy has always amused me.  I still remember the first time I tried this candy when my parent told me to eat that paper wrapper.  Not the outer part where it has the brand on it but the inner wrapper, the thin clear paper.  I was confused at first and though that they were just joking with me.  Once I tried that, it was melted in my mouth.  For an innocent little kid like me, I was so excited.  And this candy became very memorable to me.  

I am so glad to find the shop of China National candy and never have known that not only they have that original flavour candy which in white and where their name derived.  They have more than ten other flavours, like coffee, green tea, mango, durian, even wasabi flavour.  In here, you can also find many varieties of Shanghainese snacks and souvenirs.  One stop shop. 

If you are into collectible art toys or blind box toys, you will not miss this flagship Pop Mart store in Shanghai.  The 2-storey store is probably the biggest in the world.  This soft purplish pink colour building so catchy and can be seen from meters away.  However, inside the store was too overcrowded, made it so hard to browsing.  Me personally, prefer smaller stores in other area like the later one we found in Yu Garden.  Although, the other stores do not offer as extensive selections as the main store, I had a way easier time browsing and a total breeze to explore.  I didn't end up buying anything here, but I scored some great finds at the smaller stores.  All in all, it was still a pretty fun experience though.

 

Grand Central Hotel

505 Jiujiang Road, Huangpu, Shanghai

Pop Mart (Main store)

299 Nanjing East Road, Hongyi Plaza, Huangpu, Shanghai

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Shanghai:

Hefu Noodle in Hongyi Plaza, Shanghai

Premium Boat Noodles at Thong Smith

Previously:

The House Lounge by Aspire, Sydney International Airport

The iconic Sawasdee Ronald McDonald

Back last year, when we were in Thailand, we had this grand noodle boat from Thong Smith restaurant.  We fell in love right away with their rich and thick broth as well as the use of premium quality meat.  Although for a bowl of beef noodle boat in Thongs Smith, it could cost $7 while usually out there is only half the price.  And the price for wagyu noodle boat starts from 299 bath or around $14 per bowl.  

Okay, so it's not exactly cheap, but trust me, it's worth every cent!! Normally, when I have a noodle boat, I need to add the four-elements seasoning to balance the broth flavour like sugar, chilli, vinegar, and fish sauce.  But with Thong Smith's noodle boat, I don't have to add anything in.  The taste is already that great, it's spot on. 

I recommend ordering some crispy pork lard as well.  This tiny golden pork fat will lift up your dish to a heavenly level.  If beef is not your thing, not to worry, they also serve pork noodle that comes in dry or soup.   

Sliced Australian wagyu, beef ball, braised shank and tendon 329 THB / AUD 15

Crispy pork lard

Braised shank 89 THB & tendon 89 THB

My next favourite dish here is hands down to this deep-fried wonton.  They were not oily at all, yet it comes with generous amount of meat filling.  They went well together with plum dipping sauce.

Some fruity soda drink to wash down the piquancy from the pork blood

Thong Smith Mega Bangna

Open 7 days a week from 10 am - 10 pm

There are many other branches across Bangkok such as in Central Embassy, Siam Paragon, Terminal 21, Central World and a few more.

Stay tuned for the next blog, we went to Shanghai over the New Year:

Turkish Airlines Lounge in Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok