YongKang Lu Revival

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by Buzz Archer
on Friday, November 25, 2011 12:00 AM

Over the past year and a half, YongKang Rd in the former French Concession has slowly transformed from a sleepy vegetable market into a bustling creative hub.  Enough high-quality F&B establishments have set up shop to alter the identity of YongKang and draw in people from all walks of life.

One of the best bang-for-your-buck restaurants in town, Sheng Sushi, recently expanded their YongKang Lu premise from a cozy 8 seats and 3 meter-squared kitchen to a decked-out 9 table venue.  Prices are kept ridiculously low for the quality ingredients you get. During my last visit, two large hand rolls, sashimi and draft sake totaled out to RMB150.

The owners behind the Saleya restaurants have also taken a liking to the area. They have opened or are opening four different operations on the street.  One currently under development is for Gubei expat butcher stalwart Les Garcons Bouchers. Be sure to check out their homemade sausages, pates and chevre. The second in development is Pizza Peppone, still in its early stages. La Boulangerie has been baking piping hot, fresh bread for the past six months. Saleya’s 4th establishment, Le Café des Stagiaires, has a killer 4-8pm happy hour deal with RMB20 glasses of house wine.

Cheers-In provides a key addition to the YongKang neighborhood. Not only do they stock the largest variety of beer in town, but they’ll also likely be the cheapest place to carry your selected beer. 

One of my favorite ways to experience this neighborhood is to pick up a 750ml bottle of Estrella Damm Inedit (RMB55) from Cheers In; Crack it open, walk down to Nosh, and takeaway order a thick slab of black truffle lasagna (RMB58) or beef cheek goulash (RMB68). Take your time strolling down the street, check out an art gallery or join in on a makeshift badminton or soccer match with kids living in the area, and take in the sights, sounds and smells; this is one of the most interesting places to visit in Shanghai.