Huxiaopang Shanghai: Your Go-To for Garlic Crayfish in 2026?

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Unveiling Shanghai's Hidden Gem Restaurants 🦞

You'd Be Missing Out if You Only Visit Hongkuijia

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I've lived in Shanghai for 8 years,

and there's one food I've truly fallen in love with.

That is longxia (crayfish).

If you're planning a trip to Shanghai

and looking for great restaurants,

you've probably come across the name Hongkuijia at least once.

Many people, especially those just discovering Shanghai, often think of Hongkuijia

as *the* place for garlic longxia.

So today, I want to introduce a slightly different option,

a garlic longxia restaurant that locals frequently visit alongside Hongkuijia.

Text, Photos @ Ttueitebari

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Today's Post
1.	▶ Shanghai Longxia Season & Local Eating Culture
2.	▶ Shanghai Restaurants: Beyond Hongkuijia, How About Huxiaofang?
3.	▶ An Honest Review of Huxiaofang's Garlic Longxia
4.	▶ Closing Remarks

Shanghai Longxia Season & Culture

Shanghai Garlic Longxia / Shanghai Restaurants

As spring and summer arrive,

Shanghai kicks off its full-fledged

longxia season.

The culture of enjoying garlic longxia or mala longxia

with a beer after work is practically a 'national late-night snack' for locals.

That's why when locals talk about great longxia restaurants,

they don't just name one place.

While Hongkuijia is often mentioned,

another place that frequently comes up is

👉Huxiaofang (沪小胖).

Beyond Hongkuijia, How About Huxiaofang?

Shanghai Garlic Longxia / Shanghai Restaurants

While not yet widely known outside of China,

Huxiaofang (沪小胖) is also a consistently beloved longxia restaurant

in Shanghai.

I asked a Chinese friend, and they told me

there's quite a clear difference between the two.

Hongkuijia has a trendy vibe with its service and ambiance,

making it popular with younger crowds,

while Huxiaofang is said to have a more local feel.

Personally,

I prefer Huxiaofang

over Hongkuijia.

The taste is similar,

but there's one key reason!

👉 The longxia size

If Hongkuijia's felt a bit smaller,

Huxiaofang's were significantly larger,

offering a more satisfying eating experience.

(The longxia felt more substantial)​

Huxiaofang also has several branches in Shanghai,

so you can search on Gaode Maps

and visit the nearest one.

Huxiaofang Garlic Longxia: An Honest Review

Shanghai Garlic Longxia / Shanghai Restaurants

On this particular day,

I visited Huxiaofang past 10 PM.

For an easy, foolproof combination,

I ordered Garlic Crayfish, Seasoned Cucumber, and Grilled Scallops.

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Garlic Crayfish is

less intense than Mala, with a fantastic umami flavor,

making it a dish that suits Korean palates wonderfully.

I'd also love to recommend mixing noodles with the leftover sauce from the Garlic Crayfish,

though the noodles themselves at both Hongkuijia and Huxiaofang

are a bit more ordinary than expected in terms of taste.

(Here, tteokbokki rice cakes might even be better! Truly, the best noodles are in Xi'an, China!)​

Still, it's worth trying them at least once.

Seasoned Cucumber (凉拌黄瓜) is

a perfect balance when eaten with crayfish,

and an essential side dish that cuts through richness.

Since it was a night when I just had a simple late-night snack,

I didn't order too much.

However, if it's your first visit,

I highly recommend trying this combination.

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✈️ Check Shanghai Flight Prices

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🦞 Huxiaofang
🀄Chinese Name	沪小胖 hu xiao pang
🕒Opening Hours	Operating hours vary slightly by branch, but generally, they operate from 11 AM until 2-3 AM, making it a great spot for a late-night meal.

📍Location

**Rather than Google Maps,

I recommend using Gaode Maps, which works better within China**

Google Maps

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Gaode Maps

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Closing Remarks

Shanghai Restaurants / Best Eats in Shanghai

While Hongkuijia is more famous in Korea,

in Shanghai, both Hongkuijia and Huxiaofang

are popular crayfish restaurants.

And personally,

I recommend giving Huxiaofang a try at least once.

On your trip to Shanghai,

if you want to experience a true local hotspot,

it might be great to choose something different this time :)

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I hope this post was helpful to someone 😉

So for today,

Bye-bye, Zaijian 🤗

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