There are a lot of Chinese restaurants in Houston, and picking one that offers everything you’re looking for can be tough. In order to help you sort through the muddle of options, Shanghai Restaurant was voted “Best Chinese” in Houston in 2013 by the Houston Press, which should help you make your decision when deciding where to dine. For a restaurant that’s family owned, authentic, and offers traditional Cantonese Cuisine, head to Shanghai Restaurant for a trip to what feels like China itself.

Real Cantonese Food

Unfortunately, a lot of Chinese food in Houston and the rest of America has been Americanized. While Americanized Chinese food is often yummy, those who are looking for a truly authentic experience might be a bit disappointed by what we have stateside. However, Shanghai offers food that’s about as close as you can get to true Chinese without actually being in China. This is a favorite amongst local Chinese people, and the restaurant is often packed with those from this Asian continent.

Dishes to Order

Most things on this menu are pretty good, but if you’re looking for recommendations, then the house special crisp noodles, the garlic shrimp, the sizzling beef in hot pepper sauce, the beef cubes with mushrooms and asparagus, the fried oysters, and even the fried intestines are all awesome. Most people also recommend the salt and pepper fried spare ribs, so if you like ribs, make sure to get them here. For vegetarians, the stir-fried baby bok choy is great, and perfectly seasoned with garlic and ginger. The walnut shrimp is also great if seafood is okay for your diet.

No Alcohol Served, No Problem

Many people can’t stand the thought of eating a great meal without a glass of wine to accompany it, and may be disappointed to learn that at Shanghai Restaurant, there’s no alcohol served. However, this isn’t a problem for the patrons that know that Shanghai is perfectly open to the idea of diners bringing in their own beverages of choice. Feel like a beer? Head to the store before coming, or grab a bottle of wine pre-dinner to enjoy with your meal.

Guaranteed to Be Busy

Shanghai Restaurant is one of those establishments that is pretty much always packed, so if you’re in a rush or are looking for an intimate and quiet dining experience, you may want to consider going somewhere else. However, if the hustle and bustle of diners chatting loudly and loving their food is your type of scene, then you’ll absolutely love Shanghai. The atmosphere is friendly and warm, and everyone in the restaurant always seems to be having a great time.

Budget Before

While this restaurant isn’t expensive in comparison to other restaurants in Houston, it’s not what you’d call cheap, either. While other restaurants in this area will get you fed and full in under $20 for two, you’ll have to fork over a little more cash for food here. For a reference, four to five dishes will cost around $50.