About Shanghai Taste
Shanghai Taste is a women-owned, Asian-owned Shanghainese restaurant located at 1121 Nelson St in Rockville's Woodley Gardens neighborhood. We specialize in the handcrafted street foods of Shanghai: Xiao Long Bao (小笼包), Sheng Jian Bao (生煎包), and classic Shanghai cold appetizers, noodle soups, and braised dishes.
What We Cook
Our kitchen centers on the Shanghainese tradition of freshness and balance — sweet-savory braising, delicate wrappers folded by hand, and dishes that have been passed down through generations. Every order of Xiao Long Bao is hand-pleated to 18 folds. Every batch of Sheng Jian Bao is pan-fried to order. We make our food fresh every day. Nothing is frozen.
Shanghainese cuisine is one of China's most refined regional traditions — shaped by the Yangtze River delta, defined by freshwater ingredients, dark soy braising, and the obsessive craft of its dumpling makers. We serve that tradition in Rockville.
Who We Are
Shanghai Taste is women-owned and Asian-owned. The food we serve is the food we grew up eating — dishes from Shanghai families that carry meaning beyond the meal. We opened in Rockvillebecause the DMV area deserved an authentic, no-shortcuts Shanghainese kitchen.
About the Shanghai Taste Team
Our blog is written by the Shanghai Taste Team to help guests understand Shanghainese cuisine, handmade dumplings, and Chinese dining traditions before they visit. We connect practical menu guidance from our kitchen with cited cultural and historical sources where the topic calls for it.
Where to Find Us
We are at 1121 Nelson St, Rockville, MD 20850, in the Woodley Gardens shopping center. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 AM – 9 PM. Closed Mondays. Dine-in and takeout available. Wheelchair accessible.
We have a 4.1/5 rating from 609+ Google reviews. Read reviews on Google or Yelp.
Press & Recognition
“The Virtuoso of Soup Dumplings”
“Delivering authentic flavors in a small, unpretentious setting.”
“A strong contender for soup dumplings in the D.C. area.”
“Probably the best [soup dumplings] of our region.”
“This place is a GEM. If you haven't been to Shanghai Taste yet, go.”
Quick Facts
- Ownership
- Women-owned and Asian-owned
- Cuisine
- Shanghainese (Shanghai regional Chinese)
- Location
- 1121 Nelson St, Rockville, MD 20850
- Hours
- Tuesday – Sunday, 11 AM – 9 PM (Closed Mondays)
- Phone
- (301) 279-0806
- Price range
- $10 – $20 per person
- Google rating
- 4.1/5 from 609+ reviews
- Seating
- Dine-in and takeout
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shanghai Taste women-owned?
Yes. Shanghai Taste is women-owned and Asian-owned. We opened in Rockville, MD to bring authentic, no-shortcuts Shanghainese cooking to the DMV area.
What type of food does Shanghai Taste serve?
Shanghai Taste serves Shanghainese cuisine — the regional cooking tradition of Shanghai, China. We specialize in handmade Xiao Long Bao (小笼包, soup dumplings), Sheng Jian Bao (生煎包, pan-fried pork buns), Shanghai cold appetizers, noodle soups, and braised dishes. Everything is made fresh daily.
How is Shanghainese food different from other Chinese cuisines?
Shanghainese cuisine uses dark soy sauce, rock sugar, and Shaoxing rice wine to create a sweet-savory balance. Unlike Sichuan food, it is not spicy. Unlike Cantonese cooking, it uses freshwater ingredients rather than saltwater seafood. It is one of the most approachable Chinese regional cuisines for diners new to authentic Chinese food.
Does Shanghai Taste take reservations?
Shanghai Taste does not take reservations. We are a small, cozy restaurant and operate on a walk-in basis. We recommend arriving early, especially on weekends, as we fill up quickly.
What are the most popular dishes at Shanghai Taste?
Our most popular dishes are the Xiao Long Bao (pork soup dumplings), Sheng Jian Bao (pan-fried pork buns), Scallion Oil Noodles (葱油拌面), Spicy Wontons, and Beef Noodle Soup. All are made fresh daily in our Rockville kitchen.