With all of the high-profile restaurant grand openings in Shanghai recently, it came as a pleasant surprise to us at Shanghai Eats when we were extended an invitation to visit the new, and relatively unknown, Southern Barbarian restaurant in the Zhabei district.
At first glance, you might be very tempted to walk by Southern Barbarian, with its non-descript entryway and small, yet bright, first floor. But, that would be a mistake you shouldn't make. The owner and chef are both from Meng Zi, Yunnan Province, and they definitely know what they are doing.
Walk through the first floor and head upstairs to the intimate second floor of the restaurant (4 tables, as well as several bar stools next to the BBQ grill) and settle in for some authentic and delicious Yunnan food.
We tried numerous dishes, all of which are recommended, including:
- Fried yunnan goat cheese (28 rmb) - thin crispy slices of the pungent cheese - outstanding .
- Traditional Cross the Bridge noodles (25rmb) - Yunnan's signature dish.
- Charcoal-grilled aubergine (eggplant) with tomato and chilli (12 rmb) - served cold - highly recommended.
- Smashed peas with ham (16rmb) - also recommended.
- Yunnan potato shred pancake (15rmb) - think of a big, crispy, shredded potato pizza
- Barbecued fish (30rmb) - only a limited number are available daily. It is highly recommended to call ahead and reserve one.
- Charcoal-grilled chicken wings - delicious
- Charcoal-grilled pork rib - also delicious
- Charcoal-grilled beef cubes - somewhat spicy and simply amazing - melts in your mouth. Our favorite dish.
The next time we visit (which is a definite), we plan on trying some of the dishes that didn't make it on to the short list above, especially the wild mushroom hotpot (42rmb).
For more photos of Southern Barbarian, please click here.