Strictly Shanghainese restaurants are few and far between in and around the city — usually, the cuisine is fused with food from other regions of China like Szecuhuan or Taiwan. But for great Shanghainese food, head up to A La Kitchen for soup-filled dumplings and other classics like noodle dishes and braised meats. For dessert, don’t miss an Asian version of the soufflé. A La Kitchen’s egg white balls are filled with red bean paste (and sometimes bananas) and then deep-fried to order until large and puffy. Finished with a generous sprinkle of sugar, they are sweet and savoury to the bite and feel like they’re made of dreams and Care Bears. The space is large and airy with traditional dim sum baskets arranged on the ceiling and painted blossoms around the dining room as art pieces that complete the refined yet casual dining experience.