Hey! Join me exploring the hidden side of Shanghai to see what locals really eat. The day starts at a lively fresh market, wandering through colorful stalls, chatting with vendors, and discovering ingredients most tourists don’t see.
After we stroll through a local residential area and it gives a glimpse of everyday life away from the usual tourist spots. We get invited to cook alongside locals, learning traditional techniques, and having a lot of fun in the kitchen.
Along the way, some unique ice cream flavors are sampled, and I try mangosteen for the first time - surprisingly delicious! The night winds down with a walk around the bustling Bund and a late-night bowl of soup at a cozy restaurant near Nanjing Road.
Come along to explore Shanghai beyond the usual spots, taste incredible food, and meet the people who make this city so special.
Alex Again explores hidden Shanghai, from a lively market and home cooking with locals to soy sauce ice cream and stunning river views.
Travel Guides & Tips in this video
Join Alex Again as he peels back the layers of Shanghai, exploring a vibrant local market, cooking with residents, and tasting unexpected delights like soy sauce ice cream. From the charm of low-rise neighborhoods to the futuristic ease of QR code payments, this vlog captures a side of the city most tourists miss—authentic, surprising, and deeply human.
Next travel video:
22 min
2025
Shanghai's Hidden Side: Local Food & Markets Explored
Hey, it’s Alex Again! Join me exploring the hidden side of Shanghai to see what locals really eat. The day starts at a lively fresh market, wandering through colorful stalls, chatting with vendors, and discovering ingredients most tourists don’t see.
After we stroll through a local residential area...
Hidden Shanghai Local Market Cooking Street Food and River Views
Embark on an immersive journey through Shanghai's less-trodden paths! This video unveils the city's authentic soul, from vibrant markets brimming with exotic ingredients to the quiet charm of local residential streets. Experience the warmth of Chinese hospitality as you join a local family in their kitchen, learning traditional cooking methods and sharing laughter. Delight your taste buds with adventurous flavors, including a first-time try of mangosteen. The adventure culminates with a breathtaking sunset stroll along the Bund and a comforting bowl of soup, offering a true taste of Shanghai's hidden gems and genuine connections.
Attractions in this video: The Bund, Oriental Pearl Tv Tower, Suzhou Creek, Colombia Circle, West Bund
Didn’t Expect THIS in Shanghai…Different Side of China!
Shanghai's Hidden History: Guangfulin Park & Jing'an Temple
More about the current video:(Published on 2025-08-14)
Alex Again takes us on a journey through Shanghai's hidden side, starting at a lively local market where he marvels at colorful produce, fresh seafood, and exotic fruits like mangosteen. He strolls through a quaint residential area, noting the surprisingly quiet electric scooters and charming low-rise buildings that defy his expectations of a futuristic city. After sampling unusual gelato flavors like soy sauce and black sesame, Alex is invited into a local home for a cooking class, where he helps prepare wonton soup, spring onion noodles, and mapo tofu. The day continues with a walk along the Suzhou Creek area, appreciating its well-groomed paths and artistic touches. He contrasts the calm of the neighborhood with the bustling Bund at sunset, where crowds and street food skewers create a lively atmosphere. The video wraps up with Alex trying mangosteen for the first time, finding it sweet and juicy, and ending the night with a comforting bowl of soup near Nanjing Road.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
Q: What were the unique ice cream flavors you tried?
A: I tried soy sauce, black sesame, matcha sorbet, and yuzu sorbet gelato — the soy sauce was surprisingly not too salty.
Q: How was the mangosteen?
A: It was sweet and juicy, like a pomelo but sweeter — definitely one of my new favorite fruits.
Q: What made the residential area stand out?
A: It had low-rise buildings with lots of charm, beautiful courtyards, and a very local feel, totally different from the skyscraper areas.
Q: What was the most futuristic thing you saw?
A: Probably the automatic parking and QR code payment for parking — so convenient compared to coins and cash in Europe.