Shanghai RT-MART Shopping List 2026: Must-Buy Souvenirs & Snacks
Planning to shop in Shanghai? Our 2026 guide to RT-MART (Darunfa) reveals the top souvenirs, delicious snacks, and must-buy items for an authentic Chinese experience.
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Planning to shop in Shanghai? Our 2026 guide to RT-MART (Darunfa) reveals the top souvenirs, delicious snacks, and must-buy items for an authentic Chinese experience.
Shanghai RT-MART Shopping List
Top Souvenir Picks from Shanghai RT-MART
Text/Photos ©Haibubu
A Shanghai trip just isn't complete without a visit
to RT-MART for some souvenir shopping.
Today, I'm excited to share an updated
shopping list from Shanghai RT-MART,
which I've revisited this year after discovering it last year!
📍RT-MART (Pingxingguan Store)
The RT-MART I revisited is the Pingxingguan branch,
located about a 20-25 minute DiDi taxi ride from Nanjing East Road.
For most travelers staying in Nanjing East Road, where many accommodations are located,
the Pingxingguan store is likely the closest option!
After a year, the RT-MART I returned to had significantly
improved its "Korean patch" – you could spot Korean text right from the entrance!
Not only was there a Shanghai tourist map, but popular products were also clearly
marked in Korean, making it evident how many Korean tourists had visited in just a year!
It's a great idea to check out the recommended items for RT-MART
right at the entrance before you start your shopping adventure.
The operating hours for RT-MART Pingxingguan Store are
from 8 AM to 10 PM.
This branch stays open later than most Chinese supermarkets,
so I recommend exploring the city during the day
and then heading here for some evening shopping.
Alright, let's dive into the main recommendations for your Shanghai RT-MART shopping list!
By the way, though not on the main shopping list, as you can see in the photo above,
you can buy "I Love Shanghai" t-shirts right at the entrance of RT-MART.
So, if you're looking to grab one, be sure to check the very front of the store!
Ramen & Meal Kits
The first recommended items I want to introduce are
ramen and various meal kits.
You might be surprised by how thoughtfully packaged Chinese meal kits are;
once you try them, you'll find yourself craving them again and again!
First up is Yihailong Malatang, which I highly recommend
to anyone who loves Malatang.
(It costs 13.49 CNY, which is about ~$2.)
Packed with vegetables, noodles, and various soup bases, you can actually
experience the authentic taste of Malatang you'd enjoy in China, right at home.
Here's an extra tip: if you add some thinly sliced pork belly
(like what you'd use for Korean "daepae samgyeopsal") while cooking, it will taste even more savory and delicious!
Next up is Tudoufen.
(It costs 10.99 CNY, which is about ~$2.)
I can proudly say I helped popularize this meal kit about a year ago, it's become so hot!
When I visited a year ago, they weren't selling it in such large quantities,
but it seems many Koreans have sought it out since then, as there's now an entire corner dedicated to Tudoufen.
I recommend Tudoufen to anyone who loves the chewy texture of potato noodles.
With its rich broth, bouncy noodles, and plenty of vegetables,
it offers excellent value for money!
Next up, something described as an essential souvenir from your Shanghai trip:
It's Haidilao soup base!
There are flavors like tomato soup and mala soup,
and if you add various ingredients to this broth at home,
you can enjoy a taste similar to Haidilao!
The tomato soup flavor costs 12.9 yuan,
and the mala soup flavor is 15.9 yuan.
For the last ramen item, I'd like to recommend cilantro ramen.
Cilantro ramen isn't too strong in cilantro flavor,
but it's full of umami,
so I recommend it to cilantro beginners.
A large cup noodle is 6.5 yuan,
and a ramen bundle is 23.9 yuan.
Snacks
Second up: snacks!
I'll introduce you to the snacks I personally enjoyed the most.
First, crispy egg rolls.
They cost 16.8 yuan, which is about ~$2.
Between the original and cheese flavors, I highly recommend the cheese!
The crispy egg rolls have a rich cheese flavor inside,
making them perfect with coffee or milk.
Next up are Oreos.
Of course, Oreos are available everywhere,
but China offers a truly incredible variety of unique Oreo flavors!
From pistachio and green tea to peach and even mushroom flavors,
there are so many unusual ones – they make fantastic gifts!
Cookies from the Quduoduo (趣多多) brand are usually a safe bet.
These days, a particular cookie that seems to be labeled 'Xiaoxiao' (효효) is trending,
so I decided to try them.
They're individually wrapped and have a sophisticated sweetness that made them really delicious!
(They cost 10.9 yuan, about ~$2.)
Next up are the rice crackers from the Want Want (旺旺) brand.
Just like Quduoduo, most Want Want snacks appeal to Korean tastes,
so I definitely recommend them for everyone!
Hazelnut Choco-Songyi (chocolate mushrooms) are also very popular these days.
They have a delightful hazelnut chocolate flavor with almonds embedded inside,
giving them a great texture and a delicious sweetness.
At just 4.7 yuan, they're super affordable,
making them a perfect item to stock up on!
These pineapple cakes (펑리수), labeled as 'Jung Yong Hwa's Same Recommendation' (정용화 동일한 추천),
have been consistently popular.
They have a soft texture with a delicious pineapple jam filling,
making them a lovely gift for parents.
Priced at 11.49 yuan, which is ~$2,
they offer fantastic value for money!
Finally, I want to recommend Pocky and Pejoy snacks.
With a wide variety of flavors like pistachio and tiramisu,
you're sure to find one that suits your taste!
My personal favorite is the Pocky Pistachio flavor.
Chips
For the third category, let's dive into chips!
First up, the most famous: Lay's chips!
Lay's chips come in a variety of flavors,
but personally, I highly recommend the cucumber-flavored Lay's chips,
which you can only find in China!
Besides cucumber, I also found the truffle and tomato flavors
really suited my taste!
Lay's chips come in both bags and canisters, and since their
texture and taste differ, I recommend buying both to compare them yourself!
Based on the cucumber flavor, the chips in a bag are
much thinner and have a stronger cucumber aroma, whereas
the chips in a canister are a bit thicker and offer a milder,
more subtle cucumber taste!
Personally, I find both delicious, so I always
grab both when I'm there!
Next up are taro chips, which are even more delicious than potato chips!
Taro chips have an even crunchier texture than potato chips.
They're pepper-flavored and so packed with umami,
you'll find yourself finishing a whole bag in no time!
Next, we have cassava chips and yam chips.
Cassava chips have a similar texture to the taro chips I mentioned earlier,
but the original flavor is milder and cleaner.
Yam chips have a texture similar to corn chips,
but with the subtle richness and umami of yam – a truly unique snack!
Personally, between the two, I found the cassava chips a little
more delicious.
Nuts
And fifth on the list: nuts!
First up, I'd love to recommend sunflower seeds.
They're seasoned with a sweet caramel flavor,
making them an addictively delicious snack you'll keep cracking open one by one.
At only 9.9 Yuan, they're excellent value for money,
so they're great for buying in bulk and giving out as gifts.
Next, I recommend the macadamia nuts from the
Three Squirrels brand.
You can get macadamia nuts here for much cheaper than in Korea.
(A bag costs 10.9 Yuan, which is about ~$2.)
Personally, I think macadamia nuts make a great gift
for parents!
However, do note that these macadamias come in their shells, so you'll have to crack them open.
Finally, for a perfect beer snack, I recommend
pea crackers and Mala peanuts.
The pea crackers are genuinely savory and salty with so much umami,
you'll find yourself finishing a glass of beer
in no time as you snack on them one by one.
Mala peanuts are an absolute must-try snack for anyone who
loves Mala flavor!
Other Snacks & Treats
Next, let me introduce some other delightful snacks!
First up, I'd like to recommend Mala Konjac jelly.
It has a wonderfully chewy texture and the Mala aroma truly
lingers in your mouth, making it incredibly addictive from the very first bite – you won't be able to stop!
In the picture, I particularly recommend the red Xiangla flavor at the bottom!
Next, I recommend the popular White Rabbit
Milk Candy that's trending these days.
With its rich condensed milk and milky flavor combined with a chewy texture,
it's a taste that everyone loves, no matter their preference.
It's a delightful milk candy, perfect for enjoying one piece at a time!
Teas
Next up, I recommend tea for your shopping list!
China is famous for its tea, but at RT-MART,
I'd suggest picking up teas that are perfect for a light, daily brew
rather than the super premium varieties.
Personally, I found the fragrant peach tea
and Jujube tea to be absolutely delicious.
Alcoholic Beverages
Finally, the last item on my recommended shopping list is alcoholic beverages!
First, I'd love to recommend Baijiu
in small bottles. With fruit flavors, classic varieties, and super affordable prices,
it's so much fun to pick out a few to try!
Especially the peach-flavored and yuzu-flavored Guolipang are
wonderfully sweet, so if you enjoy a good drink,
I highly recommend giving them a try!
Next, I'd like to recommend Maotai, which is also a famous Chinese liquor.
The Maotai Yingbinjiu (Jiaxiangxing Baijiu) in the red box is
reasonably priced at 229 CNY (approximately ~$33),
making it a fantastic gift!
Today, I’ve shared my personal favorite shopping list for Shanghai's RT-MART (Darunfa Supermarket).
In just a year, they've really stepped up their 'Korean-friendly' game,
and most popular products are grouped together,
making them super easy to find!
I hope you'll save my recommended items beforehand
and enjoy a quick and efficient shopping spree.
As a fun side note, at RT-MART, you might even spot shopping baskets
zipping around overhead – it's quite a sight!
I hope you get to experience the unique charm of a Chinese supermarket,
which is quite different from those in Korea.
Wishing you a truly rewarding souvenir shopping experience!
▼ Want to discover more Shanghai shopping recommendations? ▼
It takes approximately 20-25 minutes by Didi taxi to get to RT-MART Pingshin Branch in Shanghai from Nanjing East Road. The Pingshin Branch is the closest location from Nanjing East Road, where most accommodations are located.
RT-MART Pingshin Branch operates from 8 AM to 10 PM. This branch stays open relatively late for a Chinese supermarket, so we recommend sightseeing during the day and visiting for shopping in the evening.
The Yihailong Malatang Meal Kit costs 13.49 yuan, which is about ~$2. It's richly composed of vegetables, noodles, and various soups, allowing you to truly experience the taste of Chinese Malatang at home.
At RT-MART, we recommend the cucumber-flavored Lay's chips, which can only be tasted in China. Besides cucumber, truffle and tomato flavors also suit Korean palates well.
The red-boxed Maotai Yingbinjiu Jiangxiang-style Baijiu, recommended for gifts, costs 229 yuan (about ~$33). The price is reasonable, making it a great gift option.
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