Lou Shang is a delightful addition to Shanghai's hot pot scene, where stomach-attacking Sichuan spices dominates.
This is a Hong Kong-style hot pot joint opened by the same owner behind popular, high-end hot pot purveyor Yangfang. Located inside the building at the corner of Maoming Road S. and Jinxian Road, just below popular live music lounge Shake, it's drawn long queues every evening since its recent opening.
Having heard many positive comments about Lou Shang, I decided to give it a try. For someone like me who dislikes crowds and all the hustle and bustle of rowdy hot pot spots, Lou Shang is the perfect place. There you're sure to have a much more pleasant hot pot meal than usual.
The restaurant is nicely decorated with a retro Hong Kong style that is also clean, and without the usual smells associated with hot pot venue. Unlike the typical oily, spicy, tongue-burning Sichuan hot pot, the Hong Kong alternative is flavorsome yet healthy-fresh with much attention to high-quality ingredients, from seafood to meat.
Before starting the hot pot, try the Hong Kong style appetizers, including the signature street food snacks such as fish balls, fired fish skins, and fried salty frog legs.
Regarding the hot pots, the high standards start from the high-quality vessels from French cookware brand Mauviel 1830, which are often praised by professional chefs.
The stars are the hot pot broths. The signature fish maw free-range chicken broth (368 yuan/$53) is a total crowd pleaser. Boiled together for hours, you can simply enjoy the golden-color thick soup itself without any picks from the raw food selection. The fish maw for many Chinese is considered a natural form of Botox for its collagen-boosting properties.
The signature broth is the most expensive. Other broth choices are very reasonably priced, from 58 to 128 yuan for one pot.
The seafood and beef are specialties here. I liked the signature beef plate (488 yuan), consisting of premium snow beef that is surprisingly tender and chewy.
Other must-orders include watercress dumplings (48 yuan/eight pieces), fried tofu skin (28 yuan) and different kinds of meat and seafood balls.
This was sincerely my top hot pot experience in Shanghai thanks to its great flavors and aromas.
LOU SHANG
Opening hours: 11:30am-2am
Average price: 400 yuan
Address: 2/F, No. 46 Maoming Rd S.
Tel: 6247-0007
