Cafe A Da Cong You Bing

A Da Cong You Bing is a legendary street food institution, serving what many consider Shanghai’s definitive scallion pancake. For over 30 years, Master Wu—known as “A Da” (“Big Brother”)—has risen at 4:00 AM to hand-make each pancake, working until the dough runs out. The stall gained international fame after being featured on the BBC’s Rick Stein’s Taste of Shanghai.

What sets A Da’s pancakes apart is the traditional method: first fried on a hot skillet until golden, then finished on an old‑fashioned fire stove for extra crunch and savory aroma. The pancakes are thicker and moister than average, generously filled with scallions and pork fat that melt into flaky layers.