The story
Perched on the 53rd floor of The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, Jin Xuan Chinese Restaurant offers authentic, creative Cantonese cuisine against a backdrop of sweeping city views. Designed by Hong Kong interior designer and architect Steven Leung, the space balances traditional Chinese sumptuousness with clean, unfussy lines — a fitting frame for food that does much the same with flavor.
The menu is unmistakably Cantonese, but chef Daniel Wong brings a contemporary sensibility that sets Jin Xuan apart. Time-honored flavors are paired with textural experimentation and precise, visually striking presentation — deep-fried turnip puffs molded into elaborate swan form being a signature example. The result is a kitchen that respects its roots without being bound by them: classic in taste, contemporary in execution.
The Cantonese-style roasted duck is widely considered one of the best in Shanghai. Unlike its Peking counterpart, it is served in bite-sized pieces with meat and skin together — and where this preparation often yields limp skin, Jin Xuan's version achieves a miraculously crispy result. For dim sum lunch, the tea menu is as extensive as some wine lists, with longjing varietals sourced from nearby Zhejiang province pairing particularly well with the lighter bites.
The main dining area seats up to 52 guests around expansive round tables, where discreet, unobtrusive service sees dishes arrive family-style without fanfare. Eight private dining rooms accommodate up to 40 guests in total, making Jin Xuan equally suited to intimate social lunches and larger business gatherings.
The restaurant holds a Michelin star and a Black Pearl award, and Forbes Travel Guide has recognized it with a Four-Star rating — acknowledging the rare balance it strikes between heritage and modernity. For Cantonese cuisine at this level of craft and consistency, Jin Xuan stands as one of Shanghai's most compelling addresses.
Recognition
Location