Longtimeago Lamb Skewers Shanghai: 2026 Guide
Skip the 2-hour wait at Shanghai's legendary Longtimeago Lamb Skewers. Learn the WeChat reservation trick and discover the must-order menu items.
Loading...
Skip the 2-hour wait at Shanghai's legendary Longtimeago Lamb Skewers. Learn the WeChat reservation trick and discover the must-order menu items.
Hey there, fellow travelers!
I'm Nihao Lily, your go-to guide for exploring the Chinese-speaking world.
If you're planning a trip to Shanghai, there's one culinary hotspot that is bound to pop up on your radar: Henjiuyiqian Lamb Skewers.
Now, Shanghai is absolutely packed with lamb skewer spots.
Having studied abroad in China and visited Shanghai multiple times,
I used to think, "Aren't all lamb skewers pretty much the same?"
Well, my very first visit to Henjiuyiqian completely shattered that theory.
I’ve been back four times now, and every single friend
I've brought along has absolutely fallen in love with it.
What makes it even better is that it's not just a tourist trap—the crowd is heavily packed with locals,
giving you that authentic, bustling Shanghai vibe while you dine.
What You'll Find in This Guide ✔️ How to reserve & insider tips to skip the wait ✔️ Must-try menu recommendations (zero regrets!) ✔️ Honest dining review ✔️ Recommended locations & Amap (Gaode Map) addresses |
Henjiuyiqian: How to Queue & Insider Wait-Time Hacks
As you map out your Shanghai itinerary, there's one culinary hotspot
you'll see again and again: Henjiuyiqian (很久以前羊肉串).
It's a staple on almost every Shanghai food guide,
rarely missing from anyone's recommendation list.
Because it's wildly popular with locals and tourists alike,
the dinner rush brings legendary wait times.
But don't worry! You can easily join the virtual queue
via WeChat.
Just search '很久以前羊肉串' in WeChat
to find their official account.
Tap the 排队订座 (Queue/Book) button,
and you can secure your spot remotely!
Most travelers head straight to the First Department Store branch
near East Nanjing Road.
Be warned: by 5:00 PM, it's not uncommon
to see a waitlist of over 200 teams there!
A great hack is to grab a virtual queue number in the afternoon,
head out to watch the Bund light up or take a Huangpu River cruise,
and then head over just in time for dinner.
Personally, I've visited other branches for all but one of my trips,
and the wait times were significantly shorter.
Once you get the notification, they usually hold your spot for about 30 minutes,
so there's no need to rush frantically.
It makes planning incredibly seamless—you can shop, sightsee,
and head over when your table is almost ready!
Henjiuyiqian
The Fail-Proof Menu Guide
If it's your first time visiting, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by what to order.
On my first visit, I stared at the massive list of options
forever, completely unsure of what to pick.
But after multiple visits, I realized one golden rule:
the best-sellers are popular for a reason.
First things first, you have to order the signature lamb skewers.
They offer two main styles: original and cumin-chili. Personally, the cumin-chili skewers won my heart. The spice blend isn't overwhelmingly strong, making it incredibly approachable and delicious for international palates.
Aside from lamb, I highly recommend the pork intestine skewers.
They crisp up beautifully on the grill,
rendering out the excess fat while keeping an incredibly satisfying, chewy texture.
For side dishes,
the sweet grilled corn is an absolute fan favorite.
Make sure to order the sweet version!
They offer a salty option, too, but the sweet one is hands-down the winner.
The smashed cucumber salad is an absolute must-have to cut through the richness.
It's often given as a complimentary side,
so hold off on ordering it right away and see if they bring it to your table first!
Whenever the skewers start feeling a bit heavy,
a quick bite of the refreshing cucumber completely cleanses your palate.
The grilled chives and grilled mushrooms are also fantastic, lighter options that hit the spot.
On the flip side, the condensed milk bread and Dongbei-style cold noodles might be a hit or miss. They were a bit different from what I expected, so I probably wouldn't order them again!
If you're visiting with a group of 2 or 3, just ordering 3 to 4 plates of lamb skewers,
pork intestines, grilled corn, and the cucumber salad will guarantee a super satisfying meal.
Honest Dining Review of Henjiuyiqian
To be honest, having studied abroad in China,
I've eaten my fair share of lamb skewers over the years.
So at first, I thought, "Aren't all lamb skewers pretty much the same?"
But my very first visit to Henjiuyiqian was a total game-changer.
The meat was incredibly tender, with absolutely none of that gamey smell.
As it turns out, Henjiuyiqian is famous for using
fresh, never-frozen lamb.
No wonder the meat is so juicy and has such a fantastic texture.
Another thing I absolutely loved was that
the staff grills everything for you.
You don't have to worry about timing or burning the meat;
you just sit back and eat, making for such a relaxed dining experience during a busy trip.
Of course, there were a couple of downsides.
The heat from the grill is super intense, so it can get quite hot during the summer.
That's why you absolutely must wear the cooling gel patches
they hand out when you visit Henjiuyiqian! Haha 😂
But even with the heat, the main reason
I always make a stop here every single time I visit China is the flavor.
If you only have time for one lamb skewer meal in Shanghai,
I wouldn't hesitate for a second to recommend Henjiuyiqian.
Lily's China Travel Notes
Here is a super helpful tip
before you head out to Henjiuyiqian.
In China, if you pay an amount over 200 RMB
using Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to an international card,
an extra international transaction fee might be added.
So, I highly recommend asking the staff
to split the bill into separate payments of under 200 RMB each.
The staff is very used to this request, so they'll take care of it with no hassle!
Henjiuyiqian in Shanghai
Recommended Branches & Amap (Gaode Map) Addresses
Henjiuyiqian has tons of branches all over Shanghai.
So you don't necessarily have to queue at the super crowded No. 1 Department Store branch.
Based on my experience,
I'd highly recommend the West Nanjing Road or South Shaanxi Road branches instead.
The West Nanjing Road branch is only two subway stops
away from East Nanjing Road,
and the restaurant is massive, meaning tables turn over pretty quickly.
As for the South Shaanxi Road branch, it's perfect to pair with a shopping day,
making it super easy to combine with visits to Xintiandi or Wukang Road.
On Gaode Maps (Amap), you can search using these Chinese names:
✔️ No. 1 Department Store Branch
很久以前羊肉串(南京路第一百货店)
✔️ West Nanjing Road Branch
很久以前羊肉串(南京西路818广场店)
✔️ South Shaanxi Road Branch
很久以前羊肉串(陕西南路店)
If you're looking for an absolute must-visit lamb skewer spot
to try at least once during your Shanghai adventure,
I highly and confidently recommend Hengjiu Yiqian (Long Time Ago)!
It's a place where even those trying Chinese-style lamb skewers for the very first time
can enjoy a fantastic meal without any hesitation,
so make sure to add it to your Shanghai food bucket list! 😆
If you enjoyed this post,
please leave a like and a comment! ♥
I'd love for you to follow along for more travel adventures! 😍
You can use the remote queuing feature by searching for '很久以前羊肉串' on WeChat. Also, you can reduce your wait time by visiting the Nanjing West Road or South Shaanxi Road branches instead of the highly crowded First Department Store branch.
I recommend the chewy pork intestine skewers and the sweet grilled corn. The cucumber salad, which helps cut through the greasiness, is usually provided as a complimentary service, so it's best to wait and see rather than ordering it right away.
If you pay more than 200 RMB at once, additional international card fees may apply. You can save on these fees by asking the staff to split the payment into 200 RMB increments.
They use fresh lamb instead of frozen meat, which makes the meat tender and almost completely free of any gamey odor. Also, the staff grills the skewers for you, so you can comfortably enjoy your meal without worrying about the cooking time.
Planning a trip to Shanghai? Don't miss Diandude, the legendary Cantonese dim sum spot loved by locals. Here is our honest review and branch guide.
Discover why Siji Minfu serves the best Peking duck in Shanghai. Read our review of the crispy skin, delicious wraps, and how it compares to Ye Shanghai.
중국 상하이 여행 신천지 프렌치 토스트 맛집 추천 폴럭스 솔직후기
Torn between Beijing's famous Peking Duck spots? My honest review of Siji Minfu's Forbidden City branch reveals if the view is worth the wait, with menu tips for your 2026 visit.
Discover the mouthwatering local street food of Wuzhen West Scenic Zone. From crispy radish cakes to traditional sweet treats, here's what to eat in 2026.
Looking for the ultimate hairy crab noodles in Shanghai? Discover our honest review of Cejerdary near The Bund, a luxury dining experience worth every penny.
