(1) Amazing Chinese Cuisine, a decade perfects Chaozhou flavors
With a one Michelin star and Black Pearl’s three-diamond recognitions, the restaurant brand Amazing Chinese restaurant (Jingxihui in Mandarin Chinese language)is a coveted destination for New Chaozhou Cuisine. Since its inception in 2015 by the chef-turned-restaurateur Jianqing Du, it’s been in the relentless pursuit of reinterpreting quintessential Chaozhou flavors with contemporary lens.
Du’s philosophy is simple yet exacting: the finest ingredients, prepared with precision, and respect for detail at every stage. This approach shapes a summer menu that distills the essence of land and sea, balancing authenticity with creativity.
From the sea, the menu spotlights Xisha’s stone fish – tender, snow-white, and subtly elastic – served with the briny bite of Chaoshan dried radish for contrast.
On land, seasonal Yunnan mushrooms, robust and full-bodied, are stir-fried with rich Chaozhou pork belly, creating a dish that melds texture and depth. Signature braised pork belly with a local bitter melon offers bitterness and sweetness. The soup is simmered with Hanjiang duck and enriched with dried scallops, shrimp, and Hanjiang duck.
Featuring the same attention to craft, the desserts have a refreshing finale. An oil tangerine sorbet is made from pure Puning tangerine juice, while the main sweet is settled with roasted rhubarb and rose blancmange, blending Eastern brightness with Western elegance.
Amazing Chinese Cuisine (Jing’an)
Address: 4/F, JC Plaza, 1225 West Nanjing Rd, Jing’an District, Shanghai
Tel: +86 21 62577177
(2) Charcoal-crafted Mediterranean excellence at THEFIRE
Nestled in Reel Mall in the downtown area, THEFIRE is a Mediterranean restaurant renowned for its charcoal grilling and artisanal craftsmanship. Led by Chef Steven ER, with over 30 years of experience, THEFIRE masterfully blends tradition and innovation to deliver authentic Mediterranean flavors with passion and precision.
In spring 2025, THEFIRE launched a new à la carte menu celebrating pure, natural ingredients and meticulous handmade preparation. Freshly kneaded spaghetti boasts a springy texture, while house-pickled cauliflower and salted lemon reveal vibrant, crafted flavors developed over time.
Charcoal cooking is central to the menu, imparting smoky notes that define the cuisine. The signature salad of Wagyu ham, pickled mushrooms, and Parmesan, brightened with a splash of orange juice, as well as the handmade spinach wide noodles paired with charcoal-grilled bluefin tuna are elevated by a fragrant basil sauce that perfectly balances the fish’s rich, fatty aroma.
True to its head to tail philosophy, THEFIRE elevates every ingredient – from tender, richly flavored bluefin tuna cheeks roasted over charcoal to Mediterranean-style overnight dry-roasted Qingyuan chicken, marinated and air-dried for crispy skin and juicy meat.
THEFIRE
Address: 5/F, Reel Mall, 1601 West Nanjing Rd, Jing’an District, Shanghai
Tel: +86 17821885757
(3) Pain Chaud and Garuharu team up for éclair showcase
Shanghai’s artisanal bakery Pain Chaud launched its new Pain Chaud Collective series with a two-day pop-up in collaboration with Seoul’s renowned patisserie Garuharu, sponsored by premium chocolate brand Valrhona.
The event featured six innovative éclairs created by Garuharu’s Chef Eunyoung Yun, known for her acclaimed works éclairs and tarte. Each dessert was a creative blend of Garuharu’s refined minimalism and Pain Chaud’s French flair, flavors including salted caramel, pistachio, olive lemon basil tiramisu, earl grey, passion fruit and raspberry, all crafted with Valrhona chocolate.
Beyond showcasing technical mastery, the event emphasized cultural and creative exchange, echoing Pain Chaud’s belief of every masterpiece beginning with the chef. The Pain Chaud Collective will continue as an ongoing series, inviting talents from pastry, coffee, baking, and mixology to co-create limited-edition experiences.
Pain Chaud (Jianguo)
Address: No.256, West Jianguo Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Tel: +86 15317816105
(4) Louisa Lim brings Valrhona’s chocolate art to Shanghai
When Louisa Lim, pastry chef of three-Michelin-starred restaurant Odette in Singapore, joined force with France’s global leading chocolatier Valrhona, a cross-border afternoon tea experience was born high above the city at Aura Lounge, on the 52nd floor of The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong.
Every bite was a meticulousness of flavor, texture, and presentation, a celebration of Valrhona’s chocolate heritage, elevated by Louisa Lim’s signature finesse.
Savory highlights include slow-cooked Canadian lobster with red grapefruit, mango, and apple champagne gel, smoked salmon with dill, French crème fraîche, and Ritz-Carlton Reserve caviar, and crab salad tartlet layered with Thai basil, peach, and lime vinaigrette.
Sweet creations showcase Valrhona’s artistry through bold yet balanced flavors, such as the chocolate fruits rouges which is a vivid red fruit chocolate with a tangy lift, and the basil exotic tart marrying herbal freshness with tropical brightness.
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
Address: Shanghai IFC, 8 Century Avenue, Lujiazui, Pudong District, Shanghai
Tel: +86 2120201888