Snow Crab Hotpot. Photo: Courtesy of Shangri-la Hotel Shanghai

Hotpot goes halal

The Hong Chang Xing Muslim Hotpot restaurants have a history dating back more than a century, and are probably the oldest halal eateries in Shanghai.

The kitchen uses coal to cook the hotpot with a brass funnel in the center of the pot propelling the smoke upwards. The soup base isn't actually a "soup" as such, but plain boiling water. The flavor of the broth is created from the ingredients as they are added in.

The Global Times' top recommendation would be to go for the lamb hotpot. Besides the thinly sliced lamb available from 20 yuan to 35 yuan per serving, they also have lamb dumplings, and heavily seasoned lamb chops.

The chain has three restaurants in Shanghai, with the original branch on Guangxi Road North boasting the best nostalgic atmosphere. For something a little more elegant and upscale try the Yunnan Road South location.

Hong Chang Xing

Add: 288 Guangxi Road North, close to Nanjing Road East

Tel: 6352-9700

Hong Chang Xing

Add: 1 Yunnan Road South

Tel: 6328-1551