Exploring the diverse world of Chinese cuisine can be overwhelming, but discovering new flavors and dishes is always exciting. My recent visit to Full House Cafe, located at 97 Bowery, New York, NY, was a delightful introduction to Shanghai-style appetizers. The cold appetizers were the highlight of the meal, offering a unique and refreshing taste experience.
Shanghai-Style Appetizers
The standout dish was the Kao Fu Shanghai Style, a wheat gluten product served in a black sauce with chewy wood ear mushrooms and crunchy peanuts. The waiter’s description of it as “tofu in a black sauce” was misleading, but the actual dish was a delightful surprise. The combination of salty and sweet flavors, along with the textural contrast, made it a memorable dish. The fact that it was served cold added to its uniqueness.
Another notable dish was the Vegetarian Mock Duck, a chewy bean curd skin wrapped around chopped mushrooms, also served cold. This dish was a great example of Shanghai cuisine’s emphasis on texture and flavor contrast.
Our Verdict
For those interested in learning more about Shanghai cuisine, resources like Cook in Shanghai and The Culture Trip provide detailed information about its characteristics, common dishes, and influences.
