2025 #52: Delay but not forgotten🎞️⏳️ 11 | SHANGHAI TRIP 🏙️✨🐉

✈️ A Short but Sweet Escape: Our Shanghai Trip in August

Following up on my previous post about the souvenirs we brought home, I’m finally sharing the story behind our whirlwind trip to Shanghai this past August. It was one of those unexpected adventures that came together quickly—and looking back, I’m so grateful we said yes.

💍 A Wedding Invitation That Sparked a Journey

Back in April, my husband and I were invited to attend the wedding of one of his high school friends. Although the couple had already exchanged vows in the U.S., the bride’s family lives in Shanghai and wanted to host a formal ceremony and reception there—a beautiful way to honor tradition and celebrate with loved ones who couldn’t attend the stateside wedding.

Of course, we said yes. Initially, we assumed the event would take place later in the year, allowing us time to plan and prepare. But soon after, we learned the wedding was set for August. Cue the scramble! We booked our flights almost immediately, determined to be part of this milestone moment.

🧳 Planning, Packing, and Letting Go

Thankfully, my husband and his friends handled most of the accommodations and logistics, which made things easier for me. I was happily tagging along—excited, a little nervous, and very aware that I didn’t speak the language. I had never been to Shanghai before, and this trip marked our first international flight together as a couple. That alone made it feel like a big deal.

What made it even more meaningful was that we traveled without our baby boy this time. As much as we missed him (and trust me, we did), it was a rare opportunity for just the two of us to reconnect, explore, and experience something new side by side. From navigating the airport to soaking in the city’s vibrant energy, every moment felt like a mini reset—a reminder of how travel can stretch you, surprise you, and bring you closer.

🌆 First Impressions of Shanghai

Shanghai was dazzling. A city of contrasts—modern skyscrapers towering over historic alleyways, neon lights reflecting off the Huangpu River, and a rhythm that felt both fast-paced and poetic. Even in just four days and three nights, we felt the pulse of the city. We wandered through bustling streets, admired the architecture, and tasted flavors that danced between familiar and completely new.

There was something invigorating about being in a place where everything felt fresh and unfamiliar. It reminded me of how much I love observing the world—how even the smallest details, like the way locals line up for street food or the sound of a new language, can leave a lasting impression.

🥢Must-Try Food We Tried in Shanghai🤤😋

Of course, my husband and I were thrilled to try every new food we could find in Shanghai. Although we knew our stay would be short, we made a point of sampling as many local dishes as possible. We embraced the city’s rhythm and ate like locals, especially in the mornings when Shanghai felt most alive.

Each morning, we walked down the street across from our hotel and discovered restaurants already open and bustling. The air was cool and fragrant with steam from bamboo baskets and frying oil, and the sidewalks were filled with people grabbing quick breakfasts before work. Eating at these small, family-run places gave us a window into daily life: neighbors chatting over bowls of soup, vendors calling out their specialties, and chefs working with practiced, efficient movements.

🔎Dishes You Must Try✅️

🥟Xiaolongbao — These delicate soup dumplings were a revelation. The thin, slightly elastic skin held a burst of savory broth and tender pork; you have to bite carefully, sip the soup, then enjoy the filling. The contrast between the warm, soupy center and the light wrapper made each bite feel like a small, perfect discovery.

 🥟Dumplings with Peanut Sauce — Soft, pillowy Dumplings paired with a nutty, slightly sweet peanut sauce offered a comforting, nostalgic flavor. The sauce added a creamy richness that balanced the dumplings' subtle savory taste and made it an ideal snack any time of day.

 🐖🔥🥩Braised Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou) — Slow-cooked until the fat melted into the meat, this dish was glossy, deeply savory, and slightly sweet from the caramelized soy glaze. The texture was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the layers of fat and lean meat created a luxurious mouthfeel that lingered pleasantly.

🦀🍜Crab Roe Noodles — Shanghai’s signature dish impressed us with its umami-rich, silky sauce studded with bright, briny crab roe. The noodles absorbed the sauce beautifully, delivering a complex combination of oceanic sweetness and savory depth in every forkful.

We also explored Shanghai’s vibrant street food scene. Stalls offered everything from grilled squid and smoky chicken skewers to hearty Muslim Chinese dishes with bold spices and tender lamb. Street vendors cooked with speed and precision; watching them work was as much a part of the experience as tasting the food. Each bite felt immediate and authentic—flavors intensified by the open-air setting and the communal energy of the crowds.

Beyond the flavors, the food showed us how fast-paced and inventive Shanghai is. Chefs and vendors blend tradition with innovation: classic recipes are refined, presentation is thoughtful, and new flavor combinations appear alongside time-honored favorites. The city’s culinary scene moves quickly, but it never sacrifices depth—every dish seemed to tell a story about history, family, and modern creativity.

Attending a Wedding Reception Abroad — A Celebration of Love Across Borders

The main reason for our Shanghai trip was to attend a wedding reception for one of my husband’s high school friends. We had expected the ceremony to take place at the end of the year, but when plans changed, we decided we would attend no matter the date. Traveling to celebrate someone else’s milestone felt both generous and joyful—a reminder that friendships can carry you across time zones.

The reception itself was stunning—elegant, heartfelt, and full of joy. Watching two families weave together across cultures and continents felt like a powerful testament to connection: language and distance fell away, leaving only the rituals and laughter that bind people together. The best man hosted the evening with warmth and wit. His speech celebrated the groom with humor, honesty, and a tenderness that landed perfectly with the crowd, drawing both laughter and quiet applause. Between toasts there were playful games where guests won small Shanghai‑themed prizes—lighthearted moments that loosened the room and made strangers feel more like friends.

A highlight of the night was a slideshow that traced the couple’s story: candid photos of their first meetings, playful snapshots from their dating days, and a preview of their professional wedding portraits taken around Shanghai. The contrast between modern and traditional shoots captured both the couple’s personality and the city’s pulse—each image felt like another thread in their shared narrative, revealing the textures of their relationship and the places that have shaped them.

Dinner was a true feast of flavors and surprises. Each course arrived like a small ceremony, thoughtfully plated and paced so that conversation could flow between bites. The dish that stood out for me looked almost like a cherry on the plate but was actually delicate duck liver—rich, balanced, and utterly memorable. The couple also arranged a dramatic live roasting of a whole duck, a theatrical touch that turned the meal into a communal celebration and invited everyone to linger over the shared experience. Portions were designed for tasting rather than indulgence, which kept the focus on the performance, company, and the ritual of dining together.

After dinner, we made our way to the rooftop for a sweeping view of Shanghai. The skyline—lit and layered by the iconic Shanghai Towers—felt cinematic against the evening sky. The rooftop offered the perfect backdrop for candid photos, hushed conversations, and a quiet moment to absorb the scale and beauty of a night that blended intimate joy with cosmopolitan wonder. Before we left, we were given thoughtful wedding favors—small keepsakes that let us bring a piece of the evening home.

📜Xuyan Royal Banquet — dining like a modern imperial court🥂

The day after the wedding, we made our way to Xuyan Royal Banquet, an over‑the‑top dining experience styled after an imperial court. The restaurant pairs multi‑course meals with theatrical performances — traditional acrobatics, musicians, and dancers — and offers an optional dress‑up package so guests can appear as imperial nobles while watching the show. Stepping inside felt like walking onto a set: lacquered columns, ornate fabrics, and a stage where performers moved with practiced precision.

The set menu includes 14 courses: three appetizers, three cold dishes, eight hot dishes, and one dessert. Highlights were the seafood offerings — abalone and scallops that tasted fresh and delicate — alongside savory meats like beef, pork, and river fish, and seasonal vegetables such as tender asparagus. Portions are modest, designed for tasting rather than a heavy meal, which keeps the evening feeling light and focused on the performance as much as the food. If you have dietary restrictions, tell the restaurant in advance so they can accommodate substitutions.

What made the evening unforgettable was the marriage of sight and taste: acrobats flipping above the stage, ethereal music, and servers presenting dish after artful course. It was one of the most mesmerizing dining experiences I’ve had — a blend of culture, ceremony, and sensory theater.

A practical note: the dining hall ran quite warm the night we were there. Even with a portable fan in my bag, the temperature made parts of the experience uncomfortable. If you’re sensitive to heat, bring a small personal fan, dress in breathable layers, or ask the restaurant about their climate control ahead of time. Despite that one drawback, Xuyan remains a highlight of our Shanghai trip — an evening that felt ceremonial, playful, and vividly alive.

Souvenirs and the Joy of Sharing the Trip

Before heading home, we made a point of picking up a few keepsakes—some to keep for ourselves and many more to share with friends and family. Choosing souvenirs became its own small ritual: hunting for something uniquely Shanghai, pausing at a shop window to imagine a friend’s smile, and wrapping each item with a little note in my head about why it mattered. Giving those pieces away after we returned felt like extending the warmth of the trip; each gift turned a private memory into a shared moment.

I’ve written before about the simple happiness of gifting souvenirs, but it bears repeating: sharing fragments of our journey made the experience feel fuller and more meaningful. The objects themselves—white rabbit candies in various flavors, skincare products, famous Shanghai lotions, and some traditional Shanghai cookies—are small, but they carry stories, textures, and the scent of a city that linger long after the plane lands. I captured the full list in a previous blog post about the Shanghai souvenirs (Click here).  I brought home the little giveaways I passed out to friends. Those posts and parcels became a way to keep the trip alive, inviting others into our memories and making the travel magic ripple outward.

💖 Final Thoughts

Our short time in Shanghai left a lasting impression because of the food. Eating like locals—especially in the mornings—gave us a richer, more intimate sense of the city. If you visit, prioritize small restaurants and street stalls as much as the well-known eateries; some of the most memorable flavors are found in the simplest places. Shanghai’s food is not just delicious; it’s a lively, evolving expression of the city itself.

Attending a wedding reception in another country reminded me how celebrations expand our sense of family. The mix of cultures, the thoughtful speeches, the sensory delight of food and fire, and the rooftop silence after dinner combined into a weekend I won’t forget. Being present for someone else’s union—especially so far from home—felt like an invitation to trust in love’s reach and to carry that warmth back with me into my own life.

Though the trip was short, it was rich in every way. It gave us stories to tell, flavors to crave, and a renewed sense of adventure. Most of all, it reminded me that sometimes the best memories come from the moments you didn’t over-plan—the ones you simply said “yes” to and let unfold.