Many people may not agree with me that Shanghai is a place for foodies. My biggest argument is: you can find high quality examples of various cuisines in Shanghai which is not possible in other cities like Changsha (famous for Hunan food), Chengdu (home of Sichuan food) or even Guangzhou (though a Chinese saying “eat in Guangzhou” implies Guangzhou is the best.)

I love food, and eat almost all kinds of food, except of blue cheese I guess. I gained weight in the two-digits, after I moved back to Shanghai from California within 6 months. My guide to food in Shanghai is a Chinese Web 2.0 restaurant review site called Dianping. “dian ping (点评）” in Chinese mean “order & review”. I want to share with you what’s the best in Shanghai according to over 1 million users in Dianping.

Best Restaurant: 花乐 （Karaku）

• Japanese, run by fifth generation owner of a 150-year old restaurant 一宝料亭 in Japan; located in Kong’s Garden in a western-style villa.
• Phone: 021-64383822, 64688922
• Address: Building 4 in Kong’s Garden, Xietu Rd 2421, Xujiahui
• Average $: 666 RMB/person (about $89 USD)
• Recommended food: Tempura, Hot Spring Egg, Fried Goose Liver, Green Tea Ice Cream
• Good for: Business banquet

Best Food: Fried Dumpling

• Chinese, name of the restaurant is not available;
• Phone: n/a
• Address: opposite to entrance of East China University of Science & Technology.
• Average $: 3 RMB/person (about $0.40 USD)
• Good for: college students’ breakfast

Best Environment: 雍福会 (Yongfoo Elites)

• Shanghainese, 2004 Best Club Design (2nd) by Wallpaper, 2007 Best of the Best No.1 Club in Shanghai by Hurun.net
• Phone:021-54662727 64719181
• Address: Yongfu Rd. 200, (Shanghai British Consulate old venue), Xujiahui (closed to Huanhaizhong Rd.)
• Average $: 677 RMB/person (about $90 USD)
• Good for: luxury decor

Best Services: 海底捞火锅店 (Best kid/family friendly)

• Hot pot, see a video here about “Noodle Kongfu”
• Phone:021-54223132 54220948
• Address: Wuzhong Rd. 1000, Minhang
• Average $:71 RMB/person (about $9.50 USD)
• Good for: free nail care, baby sitting, Internet, even “change your napkin towel every 15 minutes”

Unfortunately, I haven’t been to any of above and can’t give my personal recommendation. It’s hilarious that a fried dumpling store is ranked at No.1 as Best Food. I will check it out sometime. My favorite is this (called “Wan Chai” as a place name in Hong Kong) which serves a “fusion cuisine” of Cantonese, Shanghainese and Sichuan food. They have a few chains in Shanghai. The one we go frequently is on Julu Rd. in French concession area, a street of bars and night clubs.

Have you ever been to Shanghai? I’d love to what’s your favorite. You might want to check out Shanghaieats to decide where and what to eat in Shanghai.

Made in China. You see it all the time – stamped onto the bottom of your son’s latest holiday toy, stitched into the tag of your gym shorts, even printed on the package of your dog’s pet chow. But did you ever stop to think about what Made in China really means? Where do we draw the line between convenience and dependence?

Quick China Facts…
• In 2001, China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), eliminating or reducing tariffs and trade-barriers on goods, services, and foreign investments.

• In 2006 China had a record trade surplus of $177 billion, backed by a 27% surge in exports.

• In July 2007, China overtook Germany for the world’s third largest GDP with $2.9 trillion (US – $13.2 trillion, Japan – $4.4 trillion), up from 7th in 1999.

• Earlier this month, Mattel recalled 18 million Chinese-made toys worldwide containing lead paint or tiny magnets.

While you let those numbers digest, check out these two cartograms exploring global toy exports and imports to get a better of understanding of China’s manufacturing influence/dominance. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a good cartogram is worth a thousand facts, or so I like to think.

Toy Exports – Who Makes ‘Em

Toy Imports – Who Buys ‘Em

A Few Thoughts…

• The responsibility of safer toys falls on both parties – better designs from the toy-company and better (safe) materials from the manufacturer.

• I’m assuming the children in countries that are shrunk down (all of Africa and South America) still have toys, but they are handmade domestic goods rather than plastic from China.

• After staring at the oversized blobs that are the US and much of the EU, it’s going to be difficult for me to rationalize with a sulky child who needs another Barbie. That doesn’t mean of course that I wouldn’t give into those pouty eyes….

Could you go a day without Made In China? How about a year? Living in the Bay Area, I hear people talk with pride about how they’re doing this or that to reduce their ‘carbon footprint’; ever wonder about your ‘China footprint’?