This post continues from Shanghai World Expo Preview.
And so CNR got a glimpse of the Shanghai World Expo on its first-day trial run. Come lunch time, would you believe that food ran out?! Well, if 200k people did go that day (and with 500k just last Saturday), I wouldn’t be surprised myself.
But with a hungry stomach, you just can’t really think straight.
We got in from the Lupu Bridge Entrance (Puxi Site) after riding Line 13 or the Special Expo Line.
From there, arrows pointing to different dining places can be immediately seen.
For chicken lovers, there’s KFC!
But we weren’t hungry then…didn’t realize that food would become an issue when you visit the World Expo. And then…we saw another food spot!
We ended up in Kung Fu Restaurant, a relatively famous fast food chain in Shanghai.
Yet the people were so many! An understatement actually. We had to chop I mean, look out for seats once the others were done eating.
There’s another KFC in the Pudong site.
Apparently, everyone loves KFC.
And more food options are available too!
At this point in time, when you’re really hungry, those tiny cutlery symbols start becoming your best friend in the world. The good news is that, they’re all over the Expo site! The tiny fork-knife symbols, I mean.
I spy…Ajisen Ramen (also called 味千拉面) which is famous in Shanghai too.
Other places to eat in the Shanghai World Expo include–
After a whole day of walking, you might want to eat some small snacks. Aside from restaurants and fast food chains, a FOOD BAZZAR BAZAAR is located not far ahead from the theme pavilions.
I guess they missed that one! Everyone's a spelling/grammar critic in China.
And for the most important aspect–PRICES. How are the food prices compared to the ones outside?
They’re generally more expensive–obviously. The drinks and refreshments are on the pricey side too. But you have no choice as beverages are not allowed inside the Expo site.
Expensive is a relative term. My meal in Kung Fu Restaurant costed me RMB 34. You be the judge.
The meal was ok (fairly edible). Though the corn and peas didn’t seem to be cooked enough. It was H-A-R-D. There.
However, starting yesterday Sunday, a number of changes occurred with the other food shops. The prices were temporarily affixed a new label making them drop by around RMB 2 to 3. A Japanese restaurant in the first-day trial run had a set meal which costs RMB 65 to 90. Yesterday the price reduction was RMB 10 to 15.
Also, various bread and bun stalls in white tents appeared in the Expo site. There’s 17 of these tents in Pudong and 8 in Puxi. Three pieces of bread can be bought at RMB 10. Three pieces of dumplings are priced at RMB 5.
And seriously, because no one wants paying customers to go hungry, lunch outlets with take-away meals sprouted like mushrooms too. Will these solve the Expo “food crisis”? Let’s see.
I took pictures of the list of all the available restaurants in the World Expo Site. Click on the pictures to enlarge.
So in conclusion, what’s my advice? Three things–
1. Consider eating at a later time before everyone else (so as to avoid the long lines). But then, food might have run out by then. So,
2. Bring small snacks with you like packs of biscuits or bread. Or better yet,
3. Eat a heavy meal before going to the Expo.
But then, if you’re really hungry (like dying of hunger already), come on, forget the prices and just shell out those RMBs and eat in the better restaurants there.
Ajisen Ramen is the english name for 味千拉面.
*Gasp* You’re right! Made the necessary changes. Thanks!
very helpful for me to understand the “food situation” in this Shanghai expo, and i decide to visit there later in August or September,maybe there will be less people then.
Hi Zhaoyi!
Great to see you hear! Let me know when you’re back in Shanghai.
Ate lunch at Papa John’s; at noon or 1-ish, no line; got right in. Prices seemed about the same as on the outside. My experience all day was that there was ample drinks and snacks all over the place. Just if you want special foreign food you’ll have to figure out where to get it and it might be far away! I was surprised not more pavilions had restaurants inside.
Hi Transplant,
Thanks for sharing your experience! Some restaurants have adjusted their prices but generally (even from my friends’ personal experiences who visited just last week), the prices were higher relatively. Though of course, as I have mentioned, we are talking relatively here.
But then, more or less, the price matches the quality of the food.
Wow the choices seem kinda sparse for the Expo proper. We have put together a list of 125 places to eat in Shanghai here…
http://www.privy.net/shanghai/index.cfm?action=go.eat
Hi Stefan,
Your site is still inaccessible until now.
U need to try THE PERUVIAN KITCHEN @ Peru Pavilion C section in front of USA..It is really fantastic, tasty and good price… We been there already 4 times in one week..weriously the best food in C section
Four times in one week? Wow. So are you working in the Shanghai World Expo?
What kinds of food do they serve? Could you give recommendations? And what is the price range?
Thanks!
Hi Baoru,
It’s a shame you did not manage to find “The Porterhouse” located in section C of the Expo – European section in between the Polish and Belgium pavilions. We are an Irish restaurant and bar, serving Irish food and our own brewed beers! One of the most popular beers is our chocolate stout – definitely worth a try. We also offer a fantastic Irish cultural evening consisting of an Irish banquet and Irish riverdance! So if you get the chance to visit Expo again – make sure to pop in and see us – especially if you want something different and better then KFC ;)
Hi ousijia,
Don’t worry, I will be back at the Expo and will be trying more of the food there! Hmmm…do I get a discount when I go there? :-P Just kidding!
Though I like KFC, it’s not really on my must-try’s.
Hi ousijia,
Will definitely try the Irish food and your chocolate stout when we are there this weekend.
Does the Porterhouse ( or any of the restaurants ) take reservations ?
Thanks,
A lost Celtic
Hi Greg,
Yes, they do. Actually, when I was just looking around last time I was there (which was last week only), many restaurants were DESPERATE to have customers.
We were there on 30 May, had our early dinner at about 6pm,no crowd. With early diner, we had better opportunity to visit the popular pavilions with shorter Q during meal time.
I tried the Chocolate Truffle Stout and the Beef with Stout, delicious. We also had a friendly chat with a part-time waitress, a sweet & young Chinese girl.
Hi ousijia and Baoru,
thanks for the great help with finding info on food on the expo. This website answered my questions and now I’m also sure to try to chocolate stout. I’ll be checking out the Expo from 21.06. to 23.06. and look forward to a few interesting days.
Hi Chris,
Really happy you find this useful for you. Have fun at the Expo and just prepare yourself for the Shanghai heat!
I personally am interested to know how your trip turns out. Let me know!
Cheers!
not to be too critical, but franchised fast food would definitely be the LAST thing on my list for eating at the expo. I’m just as, if not more, eager to experience the world’s vast array of cuisines than in seeing the architecture.
It seems to me, the food is really the only true aspect that keeps the Expo a worthwhile idea.
Hi bud,
About franchised food, same here. You can eat KFC ANYWHERE. So, have you been to the Expo? Any recommendations?
Hi Kat,
Are you in Shanghai? I’m working in Shanghai now. Hope to see you in Shanghai.
Steven Gao
do not go to the world expo biggest waste of time EVER you wait in a fucking 5 hour long line to see some bullshit pavilion like the japanese one, or the korean one, or the german one didnt get to see anything else but anyways the architecture is brilliant the buildings are amazing but do not judge a book by its cover inside all you will find is some bullshit video displays and youll probaly see some stupid video about some stupid thing that shows how that country is changing to be more “green”. i thought they would display some products or technology but its just a really crappy museum(that you have to wait 5 hours to get in)
Dude…I’m so tempted to edit your comment; but it would lose its character if I do so. Such flurry of emotions!
But I’ll agree with you on one point–don’t judge a book (or in this case, the pavilions) by its cover–you’re so right on this.
At the risk of me sounding like defending the Expo, it’s not all stupid. But I would not waste my time lining up for 5 hours.
You should all try the restaurants they have at the InterContinental Shanghai Expo right at the one of the entrances of the expo site near the river side – hard to miss it – located right close to the Nanpu bridge – the diversity, variety and the quality of the restaurants are truly amazing – absolutly worthwile to go and dine in this hotel every meal period during the visits – no line ups – great food – great service – great value – definetely much better deal than any other venues that are freestanding in the expo site. Basilico Italian has the best Italian food in town – turns out a senior Chef from Italy is based in the hotel – Cafe 1188 was a the most fun restaurant with fantastic open kitchens and buffets – the Champagne Brunch is extensive with non-champagne beverage deals as well – telling you great deals in these restaurants and bars – i enjoyed the complimentary welcome drink of a prosecco on arrival at basilico for lunch and dinner and the free of charge access to the italian hors ‘d oeuvres counter on arrival should you choose to dine in basilico for lunch and dinner . Lunch Set menu specials starting from CNY 158 – cannot resist to share my experience with everyone!!