Wang Bao He dates to 1744, and its crab-banquet technique is recognised as Shanghai intangible cultural heritage. Hairy crab in autumn and crab-roe dishes are the central attractions.
The crab-led menu
- Steamed hairy crab
- Yangcheng Lake crabs, simply steamed and served with ginger vinegar to preserve their natural sweetness.
- Drunken crab
- Female crabs marinated with aged huangjiu, preserved plum, rock sugar and a mixture of spices, combining wine aroma with sweet crab roe.
- Crab-roe lion's head
- A tender pork meatball simmered until soft, with crab roe enriching the broth and meat.
- Crab-roe xiaolongbao
- Thin-skinned soup dumplings filled with broth and a pronounced crab-roe flavour.
- House huangjiu
- Huadiao and Taidiao rice wines are the traditional pairing we recommend for a crab meal.
Ways to dine and reference prices
- Classic crab banquet
- For reference, CNY 300–600 per person for set or individual-dish menus built around steamed crab and crab-roe dishes, suited to a formal family or business meal.
- Hairy-crab buffet
- The seasonal autumn buffet is listed at CNY 288–298 per person, with crab and crab dishes. The setting can be noisy; confirm the current offer directly.
- Two-person lighter menu
- For reference, CNY 150–200 per person for a two-person menu of smaller crab-roe dishes such as dumplings and tangyuan.
The right address and reservations
- Two different venues
- The main restaurant is at 603 Fuzhou Road. The crab buffet is usually next door on 1/F, Shanghai Hotel, 555 Jiujiang Road. Do not confuse the two venues.
- Reservations
- September to November is the busiest season. Reserve one to two weeks ahead for a crab banquet and two to three weeks for a private room or buffet. Confirm directly rather than relying on a walk-in.
- Hours and season
- Listed hours are 11:00–13:30 and 17:00–21:00. The buffet starts at 17:30, but queues can form by 17:00, so arrive early. Female crabs are traditionally favoured in the ninth lunar month and males in the tenth, with mid-October to mid-December considered a prime season.
Getting there and combining the meal
- Metro and a walk
- Use East Nanjing Road station on Line 10. We recommend pairing the meal with Nanjing Road pedestrian street or a walk along the Bund.