Ling Jie · Seafood Hotpot

In Shanghai, every western-style building has its own story, a unique charm of old Shanghai. The elegant Sinan Road, for a century in the river of history, has always been one of the most captivating scenes of Shanghai's old Bund.

[Restaurant Name] Ling Jie · Seafood Hotpot

[Address] No. 537 Fuxing Middle Road, Sinan Mansions

- Take Metro Line 13 to Xintiandi Lu Station, exit 5, and walk 650 meters to your destination.

- Bus Route 786 to Chongqing South Road & Fuxing Middle Road stop, then walk 310 meters.

[Specialty] A secret recipe ensures the continuation of pure seafood deliciousness, innovating on traditional cuisine while catering to the diverse taste preferences of different groups and ages.

[Per person] Around 500 RMB.

Throughout the meal, a dedicated server attended to us, cleaning plates, changing bone dishes, etc. We barely had to lift a finger; we just took photos and ate. Valet parking is available. After dining, just inform the staff 15 minutes in advance to have your car brought around, as the surrounding streets are mostly one-way and tricky to drive.

Situated in a standalone villa in Sinan Mansions, the restaurant name "Ling Jie" is prominently displayed on the door, boldly occupying an entire building that was once the residence of celebrated figures (one of the homes of Soong Ai-ling, one of the Soong sisters, and her husband Kung Hsiang-hsi). This small Western-style house with its private garden exudes the charm of Shanghai regional culture from its exterior. A double-pitched roof, red tiles, yellow walls, and an original wooden door painted in natural color — it's grand. Pushing open the door, a nostalgic retro decor greets you. On the first floor, old photos full of memories of the Zheng Kai family are displayed, and all around you'll spot many "antique objects," especially this vintage phonograph worth a fortune.

The restaurant has seven uniquely themed private rooms, the largest of which seats about eight people. In addition, there are casual seating areas on the first and second floors, ideal for a party of two to four friends, and the dining ambience is just as impressive. While dining here, you'll discover that beyond the distinctive decor of each private room (ranging from serene elegance to Western simplicity and nature-inspired aesthetics), the terrace is another highlight, complementing the building's heavy sense of history to create a tranquil, romantic atmosphere that lingers endlessly in your memory.

The spiral staircase, the time-worn carpet — as you ascend, you feel as if you're traveling through time, back to old Shanghai of the last century.

↑↓ First floor casual seating area.

↑↓ Second floor casual seating area.

↑ Second floor balcony.

↑ First floor private room.

↑↓ Second floor private room with a balcony.

↑ Second floor restroom.

On the third floor corridor walls, there are many plant specimens, marked with exact months and dates. Without realizing, you might come across botanical specimens with a century of history.

↑ Third floor corridor.

↑ Third floor two-person private room.

↑ Third floor sloped-ceiling private room. ↓ Third floor private room with a balcony.

#Nine-Grid Condiments# Beautifully presented, the nine-grid condiment tray includes celery leaves, celery, scallions, chili, and minced garlic. Choose your own dipping sauce to taste.

#Pre-Meal Fruit# Pineapple and grapes. Eating fruit in moderation is key, and the portion here is just right.

#Dry Red Cooked Drunken Plum Shrimp# Shimmering red shrimp arrived on a pile of dry ice, amidst the eager gazes of foodies. After a round of camera clicks, pairs of chopsticks reached out in unison towards these internet-famous crayfish that had been fattening up all spring. Having tumbled through rounds of wine and flower-infused plums, they absorbed a hundred flavors, patiently waiting for me to peel them layer by layer and savor the essence within.

#Truffle Wagyu Lotus Root Sandwich# Its thick, solid appearance is already satisfying, enhanced by the refreshing fragrance unique to lotus root. You feel it's delicious even before tasting. It's tender and smooth in the mouth, with a burst of juice when you bite, and it gets more addictive the more you chew.

#Salt-and-Pepper Crispy Chicken Cartilage# Cartilage with a bit of meat coated in pale yellow flour, crispy and so delicious you can eat the bone.

#Signature Clam Lobster Soup Base# Hailed as the world's most delicious, clams are a low-calorie, high-protein food. Prepared as a soup base and simmered for hours with red king crab, the aroma wafts everywhere. Before cooking your ingredients, have a bowl of the broth; a sip fills your mouth with an endlessly lingering umami.

#Imperial Shark Fin Thick Soup Base# Made with black-haired pork, free-range old chickens from Northern Jiangsu, fish maw, shark fin, and chicken feet, simmered meticulously for a full ten hours, the broth becomes thick and rich. You can almost see the collagen beckoning, and surely no lady can resist.

#Red King Crab# Enjoyed two ways: as sashimi and cooked in your choice of soup base. Carefully selected red king crab stands out from other crabs with its brimming roe and creamy tomalley, and its meat is firm, delicate, and silky. However you eat it, you'll experience not only visual impact but the uniquely rich flavor of the crab, leaving a long aftertaste.

#Ling Jie Snowflake Wagyu Beef# The presentation is gorgeous, with evenly distributed snowflake marbling that screams top quality. One bite and the marbled fat releases a burst of juice.

#Handmade Fresh Crabmeat Balls# When these creatively shaped and adorable crabmeat balls arrived, everyone was captivated, taking out phones and cameras to snap the horned crabmeat balls. Out of the pot, they are tender and fresh.

#Handmade Tri-Color Tofu# Black with sesame, green with spinach — this tri-color tofu has no beany taste, a slight milky aroma, and is incredibly tender.

#Dessert - Walnut and Sesame Paste# A path to wellness, from the inside out, food is at its best when black. The texture is fine and smooth, with a strong walnut flavor, gently nourishing the body and easily absorbed. Those in the know eat it; health isn't up for debate.