Old Jesse (Tianping Road)

老吉士 (天平路)

Fish heads under mountains of scallions on every cramped table

⚠ Wait even if booked

Hours

11:00–14:30, 17:00–21:30 (Rachel Gouk, SmartShanghai)

Budget

¥150–250 pp

Address

41 Tianping Road, Xuhui (near Middle Huaihai Road)

A cramped, noisy lane-house restaurant running since 2004, where service is brisk and nobody minds. The fish head buried under a mountain of scallions lands on nearly every table. No. 38 on Opinionated About Dining's 2025 Casual Asia list.