Nanlu house opens with a clear promise: Michelin one-star quality focused on Hangzhou and Zhejiang regional Chinese cuisine in the Shanghai International Financial Center mall. From the moment you enter, the menu’s emphasis on hot, seasonally driven dishes is obvious, and the kitchen invites exploration of Jiangnan flavors. In Shanghai, where global fine dining competes for attention, Nanlu house stakes its claim through regional authenticity, careful sourcing, and a dining flow that rewards advance planning. Popular signature items like Chicken with abalone and Pork belly with bamboo shoots require notice, so plan ahead to secure the full experience.

The culinary team at Nanlu house traces its lineage to Hubin 28 and Jie Xiang Lou in Hangzhou, bringing deep regional technique and respect for ingredient-driven cooking. The restaurant reopened in March 2022 in a new IFS location, continuing a 12-year story that began on Julu Road in Shanghai. That continuity matters: menus reflect a living tradition rather than a trend. The kitchen’s philosophy centers on clarity of flavor, seasonal sourcing, and hot preparations that reflect Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Nanlu house holds a Michelin one-star designation, and the interior was recognized with the Global Future Design Awards Gold Winner in 2024 for hospitality interior design, underscoring both culinary and spatial excellence. The result is a place where recognizable regional dishes are refined without losing their familiar soul.

The culinary journey at Nanlu house moves deliberately through texture and temperature. Chicken with abalone pairs tender poultry with braised abalone, a slow-cooked assembly highlighted by a clear, umami-rich jus and precise seasoning. Pork belly with bamboo shoots balances fatty, melt-in-your-mouth pork with the crisp, green bite of young bamboo shoots, finished with a restrained soy and aromatics glaze. Tasting menus feature layered hot courses that showcase seasonal seafood from nearby coasts, freshwater fish executed in Jiangnan techniques, and vegetable-forward plates that honor texture and temperature. The kitchen leans on classical methods—braising, gentle poaching, and short, high-heat finishes—to keep flavors bright and pure. Dishes rotate with the seasons, so menus in spring highlight young bamboo and leafy greens, while winter menus favor concentrated broths and braised meats. Vegetarian options are available, and the team can accommodate common dietary needs, though many signature plates center on seafood, poultry, and pork.

The dining room sets a tone of quiet refinement. Designed by Wang Daquan of TANZO Space Design, the interior uses folk art references and natural materials to frame scenes of village life and water. Scaled-up half-circle lanterns cast warm, even light through the entry; seating areas favor intimate tables and thoughtful sightlines. The atmosphere is calm and orderly, with attentive service that guides guests through tasting progressions and à la carte choices. Staff provide measured recommendations and timing, helping diners navigate specialty dishes that require advance booking. The space was developed over five months to create a balance between urban energy and Jiangnan restraint, making each meal feel both comfortable and ceremonious.

For practical planning, book at least one week in advance for dinner and for larger groups, especially if you want specialty dishes like Chicken with abalone or Pork belly with bamboo shoots. Lunch is slightly easier for walk-ins, though reservations remain recommended on weekends. Dress code leans smart-casual; opt for refined comfort rather than formal evening wear. Located inside the Shanghai International Financial Center mall, Nanlu house is convenient for business dinners, special occasions, and travelers staying in Pudong.

If you seek a clear, regionally focused meal in Shanghai that values technique, seasonality, and design, reserve a table at Nanlu house. The restaurant’s Michelin recognition, committed chef team, and award-winning interior combine to create a dining moment that honors Hangzhou and Zhejiang culinary traditions while fitting smoothly into Shanghai’s high-end dining scene. Book early, request specialty plates when you reserve, and arrive ready to taste dishes that connect to Jiangnan’s kitchens and coastal harvests.