Polo Restaurant 保罗酒楼 Shanghainese Restaurant At Jingan - Shanghai, China

There is no lack of Shanghainese Restaurant in Shanghai. At every corner, at time, there will be more than one. Around Howard Johnson Huaihai Hotel, where I stayed in both my 2018 trips, numerous well-known brands are in the area. I tried Grape Restaurant and Home’s Private Restaurant in my earlier trip and the last, I was introduced to Polo Restaurant 保罗酒楼 by a Shanghainese friend.

Polo Restaurant 保罗酒楼 is a time-honoured brand located along Fumin Road has been around for about 20 years. Span across 3-level with both dinning hall and private dinning rooms.

Polo Restaurant 保罗酒楼 Shanghainese Restaurant At Xuhui - Second level dinning area

Jelly Fish 酱麻油海蜇 (CNY 39), a classic Shanghainese appetiser. Blanched chewy and crunchy jelly fish with almost no seasoning was served with a bowl of sesame oil cum soy sauce as dip. I didn’t enjoy this dish. Not much different from gnawing rubber.

Polo Restaurant 保罗酒楼 Shanghainese Restaurant At Xuhui - Jelly Fish 酱麻油海蜇 (CNY 39)

Polo Restaurant 保罗酒楼 Shanghainese Restaurant At Xuhui - Bulk Wheat 四喜烤麸 (CNY 30)

Another typical Shanghainese dish, Bulk Wheat 四喜烤麸 (CNY 30). The texture and taste is similar to a Mock Abalone canned food we have in Singapore. The Shanghai rendition is sweeter.

Polo Restaurant 保罗酒楼 Shanghainese Restaurant At Xuhui - Coconut Pea Soup 椰香青豆泥 (CNY 36)

Coconut Pea Soup 椰香青豆泥 (CNY 36) is a highly recommended dish. Both my friends love it. Not for me though. I find the soup too rich and sweet. Furthermore, having coconut cream on savoury food tasted weird to me. In summary, I suppose it is an acquired taste.

To begin with, I am not a big fan of Eel. The Signature Grilled Eel 保罗特色烤鳗 (CNY 158) has a thick rubbery skin which I didn’t enjoyed. Furthermore, the dominating flavour was saccharine and nothing else. The consolation was that the eel was well char-grilled.

Polo Restaurant 保罗酒楼 Shanghainese Restaurant At Xuhui - Signature Grilled Eel 保罗特色烤鳗 (CNY 158)

Polo Restaurant 保罗酒楼 Shanghainese Restaurant At Xuhui - Seasonal Vegetable 石锅米茜 (CNY 42)

Seasonal Vegetable 石锅米茜 (CNY 42) was light in flavour. Therefore, I find it bland.

Polo Restaurant 保罗酒楼 Shanghainese Restaurant At Xuhui - Crispy Noodle with Seafood 海鲜两面黄 (CNY 42)

Lastly was the Crispy Noodle with Seafood 海鲜两面黄 (CNY 42). Reminded me of the Shan mian at our local Cze Char store. Slight distinct difference was noted in the noodle. The Shanghainese version has thicker noodle hence the texture was harder.

NAHMJ Verdict

After trying quite some Shanghainese food, I certainly think there are much better restaurant than Polo Restaurant 保罗酒楼 in Shanghai. Skip them if you can.