Also known as Spicy Hot Bean Curd, Mapo Doufu (translation: Pockmark Woman's Bean Curd) was invented by a Chengdu chef's pockmarked wife decades ago in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The cubed bean curd is cooked over a low flame in a sauce which contains pork, chopped spring onions, and chili oil. With that history lesson behind us, it should also be noted that Mapo Doufu is one of our all-time, favorite dishes. Yuxin Sichuan Restaurant
Excellent. The Best Mapo Doufu in town. Just the right firmness, and, oh so spicy. You won't be disappointed. | Address: | 333 North Changdu Road (near Weihai Road) | | Phone: | 5298 0438 | | Cards Accepted: | All Major | | Nearest Metro: | Shimen Yi Road | Shu Tian Ge
Shu Tian Ge has some of the best mapo doufu in Shanghai. The consistency is creamy (as opposed to the firm mapo doufu at most restaurants) and has the perfect amount of spices. It is one of our personal favorites. | Address: | 597, Room 85, Middle Fuxing Road (near Shanxi Road) | | Phone: | 6472 1589 | | Cards Accepted: | No Cards | | Nearest Metro: | Shanxi Road | Pin Chuan
For the sadomasochist in you, head over to Pin Chuan for the spiciest mapo doufu in Shanghai. It's only 4 (of 5) peppers, which begs one to wonder - what would 5 peppers do to the stomach lining? Ba Guo Bu Yi (Dingxi Road)
Some of the spiciest mapo doufu in town, but not as spicy as Pin Chuan's. Ba Guo Bu Yi's mapo doufu is also creamier than the average mapo doufu, but it is a little firmer than Shu Tian Ge's. | Address: | 1018 Dingxi Road (by West Yan'An Road) | | Phone: | 5239 7779 | | Cards Accepted: | | | Nearest Metro: | None | South Beauty (Pudong)
South Beauty (Pudong) is one of our favorite "spicy" food (Sichuan/Hunan) restaurants in town. Their mapo doufu is the firmest of all contenders in our top 5, but it is still quite tasty. |
