South Slope · Zheli: A Michelin Restaurant in Shanghai

Is a Michelin restaurant necessarily delicious? The answer varies from person to person. The taste preferences of food critics might not align with ours. Especially for recommended and one-star restaurants, some of them didn’t leave a particularly strong impression on us despite their Michelin status. However, the Michelin label often catches attention, and that’s exactly why we chose this restaurant while looking for a dinner spot near our hotel. The place was crowded, especially with tourists. We waited for half an hour to get a table. The staff arranging the seating had a rather indifferent attitude, lacking smiles—perhaps due to being too busy. Some online reviews mentioned attentive service here, but we didn’t feel it. Basic service was provided, but it wasn’t particularly warm. The best service we received all evening was from a new staff member who refilled our water. This restaurant serves Hangzhou cuisine. We ordered their signature dishes: Stir-fried Shrimp and Eel, Braised Mandarin Fish Rolls, and Tomato Stuffed with Yogurt. Additionally, we tried the Golden Pumpkin, Blueberry Yam, and Scallion Pancake with Foie Gras Sauce. The Stir-fried Shrimp and Eel and the Braised Mandarin Fish Rolls tasted the same, as both used a sweet and sour sauce that leaned heavily on the sweet side. After a few bites, it became cloying. The eel was coated in a thick batter with very little eel meat inside, and the shrimp lacked flavor. The shrimp and eel seemed unrelated. The Mandarin Fish Rolls had an average texture, with no distinct fish flavor—just the overwhelming taste of sweet and sour sauce. Golden Pumpkin: Soft and glutinous pumpkin coated with fragrant salted egg yolk—delicious. Blueberry Yam: Light and mild, nothing particularly special. The best dishes of the evening were the Tomato Stuffed with Yogurt and the Scallion Pancake with Foie Gras Sauce. The Tomato Stuffed with Yogurt featured cherry tomatoes filled with slightly sweet and tangy yogurt, offering a surprising burst of flavor. The Scallion Pancake with Foie Gras Sauce was irresistibly good, with the rich foie gras sauce pairing perfectly with the crispy scallion pancake. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of an old Western-style house near the Bund. The interior decor is classic and exudes the charm of old Shanghai. This restaurant is worth a visit. The prices are reasonable—excluding tea, the total cost for three people was just over 400 yuan. However, remember to make a reservation and avoid ordering dishes with the same sauce. Address: No. 216, Sichuan Middle Road, Huangpu District