Why Fashion Designer Tadashi Shoji Falls for Shanghai Every Time
Panoramic view of the Shanghai skyline. Photo by Hanny Naibaho / Unsplash
Japanese-born American fashion designer Tadashi Shoji splits his time between his home in California and his design studio in Shanghai. He gathers inspiration for his evening wear collections by combing the contemporary art museums, galleries, and watering holes from Huangpu to ChangNing. Here are a list of his favorites.
SHANGHAI – I have been working in Shanghai for over a decade, and it is one of the main centers for my brand, Tadashi Shoji. I am constantly discovering new and hidden gems that keep me in love with this great city. Whether it's exploring museums or visiting any one of my favorite restaurants, the Paris of the Orient never ceases to amaze me.
Restaurants
YUE190
No. 190 Yue Yang Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai; +21-604-85-577
Housed in what was once an English cottage-style home, this authentic Japanese restaurant serves fish delivered from Japan daily. The sake selection is fantastic.
Fu He Hui
No. 1037 YuYuan Rd., ChangNing District, Shanghai; +21-398-09-188
This Michelin star, strictly vegetarian restaurant is one of my favorite dining destinations in Shanghai. The chef uses a blend of Chinese and Western cooking techniques to transform quality ingredients into many memorable dishes. The set menu structure is created with a perfect balance of taste, texture, color, and appearance — a mirror of the restaurant's harmonious ambiance.
Canton Table – 5F
No. 3, The Bund 3, ZhongShan Dong Yi Rd., HuangPu District, Shanghai; +21-632-13-737
This restaurant serves homestyle Cantonese food with a modern twist and fresh ingredients. Here, traditional elegance and contemporary simplicity fuse in one room overlooking the Huangpu River.
Franck Bistrot
No. 376 WuKang Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai; +86-158-21-67-6767
One of the best restaurants in Shanghai. On the menu du jour: traditional Parisian bistro fare like oysters and terrine de campagne. Fittingly, it's located in the French Concession.
Fu 1015
No. 1015, YuYuan Rd., ChangNing District, Shanghai; +21-523-79-778
A European-style villa from the 1930s is now a restaurant divided into private rooms, all of which pay homage to Shanghai's history. It's modern Shanghainese and guests are in for a surprise — there's no set menu.
Museums
The Long Museum
3398 Longteng Ave., Xuhui District Shanghai; +21-642-27-636
One of the largest privately-owned museums in China opened about six years ago with two locations: the Long Museum Pudong and Long Museum West Bund. There's a fantastic collection of contemporary art including paintings, sculptures, installations, new media, and a wide range of precious artifacts from ancient China.
The Power Station of Art
200 Huayuangang Rd., Huangpu District, Shanghai; +21-311-08-550
China's first state-run contemporary art museum is a great example of adaptive reuse.
Yuz Museum
35, Fenggu Rd., Xuhui District Shanghai; +21-64261901
A major private contemporary art museum and non-profit organization founded by Chinese-Indonesian entrepreneur Budi Tek. Set inside of an old aircraft hangar, the space is a reflection of its owner's passion to teach an appreciation of arts and culture. The museum is home to exhibitions by artists from all over the world, from Sun Xun to Andy Warhol.
Hui Zhen Wu Private Museum
No. 120, Mao Lian Rd., Song Jiang District, Shanghai
An exclusive collection that can only be seen by reservation. The founder, Zhao Wenlong, established the museum in 1996 to display his traditional Chinese antiques. The collection also includes examples of homes from the Qianlong era, Suzhou-style furniture, and more.
Souvenir Shops
Wondullful Dept.
2F, No. 1728 West Nanjing Rd., Jing An, Shanghai
Carefully curated products — fragrances, stationary, kitchenware, furniture — that are both beautiful and functional. With a variety of trinkets and collectibles, it's a one-stop shop for souvenir finds.
Keep Exploring Shanghai
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The Best of the Best: Shanghai's Top Shanghainese Eateries
Shanghai Nights: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly