Worth finding

Shen Dacheng Pastries (沈大成糕点)

Century-old Shanghai bakery famous for green glutinous rice balls (青团) and red bean pastries — gift boxes are the way to take them home.

White osmanthus rice cakes — traditional Chinese pastries topped with dried osmanthus flowers
Photo: Fumikas Sagisavas · CC0 · source

Should you buy it?

Good for

  • Food lovers wanting an authentic old-Shanghai taste
  • Gift buyers — the heritage packaging is gift-ready
  • Spring visitors — fresh 青团 season is the real deal

Not for

  • Gluten- or nut-sensitive travelers — check fillings
  • Visitors with no fridge access — buy fresh pastries only for same-day eating

Why it is worth considering

Shen Dacheng (沈大成), founded in 1875 in Shanghai, is the city's most famous time-honored pastry shop. The stars are the 青团 (green glutinous rice balls, stuffed with red bean or savory fillings) and traditional shortcrust pastries. In spring, the fresh 青团 queues run down the block; for travelers, the sealed gift boxes of shortcrust pastries and rice cakes are the practical choice — they survive the flight.

The flagship on Nanjing East Road is both a shop and a landmark. Shelf-life varies: fresh 青团 last days, sealed boxes last weeks — choose according to your flight home.

Price

Price varies — check in store

We have not verified a current price for this item.

Before you buy, check

  • For taking home, buy SEALED gift boxes, not fresh counter pastries
  • Check the shelf life printed on the box against your travel dates
  • 青团 is seasonal (spring) — outside the season, choose shortcrust pastry boxes
  • The flagship is the experience; branch shops sell the same boxes with shorter queues

Good to know

  • Keep gift boxes flat in your bag — the pastries crush easily
  • Declare as food at customs if required

Where to buy

Shen Dacheng Flagship Store (沈大成总店)

Specialty Shop

The flagship store: fullest range of gift boxes plus the fresh-pastry counter

上海市黄浦区南京东路636号

  • Nanjing East Road, Huangpu
  • Tax refund: Check with the store
  • Information checked 2026-10-10
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Shanghai No.1 Department Store (第一百货商业中心)

Department Store

Food hall carries sealed Shen Dacheng gift boxes without the flagship queue

上海市黄浦区南京东路830号

  • Nanjing East Road, Huangpu
  • Tax refund: Check with the store
  • Information checked 2026-10-10
Open map

Sources

Recommendation checked 2026-10-10.