Location: Level 1, Unit Number #01-14
Quality products and services
Shanghai Tan Pan-fried Buns at Bugis Plus brings authentic Shanghainese street food culture to Singapore's dynamic entertainment district, operating from 201 Victoria Street #01-14 within the bustling Bugis Plus shopping complex. Inspired by Shanghai Tan, a historic landmark in Shanghai, this restaurant aims to become the symbol of Shanghai Dim Sum in Singapore by serving authentic pan-fried buns at affordable prices with traditional preparation methods that honor centuries-old culinary traditions. The restaurant represents the growing appreciation for regional Chinese cuisine in Singapore, offering diners an authentic taste of Shanghai's most beloved street food in a modern, accessible retail environment.
The restaurant specializes in handmade Sheng Jian Bao (pan-fried buns) featuring juicy pork or prawn fillings, with each bun hand-sealed before frying to achieve the perfect crispy golden base while maintaining a pillowy soft top that bursts with savory broth upon biting. Beyond their signature pan-fried buns, Shanghai Tan offers a comprehensive selection of authentic Shanghainese dishes including handmade Xiao Long Bao, pork wontons in delicate broths, fried pork chop rice, Shanghai noodles with various toppings, and appetizers such as drunken chicken, braised pork ribs, black fungus with vinegar, and poached Hong Kong kailan. The Shanghai Tan Pan-fried Bun Platter provides both pork and prawn options, delivering the excitement of hot, savory broth with each bite.
Operating daily from 11am-9:30pm within Bugis Plus's accessible retail environment, Shanghai Tan serves the diverse Bugis community including local food enthusiasts seeking authentic regional Chinese cuisine, tourists exploring Singapore's culinary landscape, and families interested in traditional dim sum experiences. The restaurant's strategic location within Bugis Plus ensures convenient access via Bugis MRT station while benefiting from the area's vibrant entertainment and shopping scene. Whether serving customers nostalgic for authentic Shanghai flavors, curious diners exploring regional Chinese specialties, or food lovers seeking quality handmade dumplings, Shanghai Tan Pan-fried Buns continues to elevate Singapore's dim sum scene by delivering time-honored Shanghainese culinary traditions with modern convenience and authentic flavors in one of the city's premier entertainment destinations.
Based on 15 reviews
Out of 119 shops
Not enough ratings
Nessa
We ordered Shanghai noodles, drunken chicken, and sheng jian bao. The Shanghai noodles and drunken chicken were both really salty, almost inedible. The sheng jian bao tasted okay, but it wasn't crispy enough, and the bun felt really doughy. I think the best item we ordered was the ice water.
Caiyun
Very rude service. I asked for the table to be cleaned, and I had to ask three times! The waiter just said later. I had to ask three times before he eventually came slowly and unwillingly to clean the table. It's just a simple request, something that will take so little effort on his part, yet he cannot do it! Or rather, it's just that he doesn't want to. And it's not like the food here is good either. Don't come here! Not worth your time and money.
Quinn
I thought I'd give this another try after my bad experience at the Thomson branch a few years back. However, sadly, the food is still lacklustre. There's definitely better food around for cheaper. The taste profile tends to be sweet. Scallion Oil Noodles were not fragrant and unpleasantly oily. Signature Sheng Jian Bao were decent, but lacked the fragrance and aroma of pan-frying. They are also really stingy with the vinegar (which also tends to be sweet and watered down). Not a good sign for such places. I don't recommend if you're looking for authentic Sheng Jian Bao, XLB, or Scallion Oil Noodles.
Jerry
Super, super, super slow service. Prepare to wait for half an hour for your food, even though we only ordered two items. Lousy food and rude staff. Eat at your own risk. Many tables who came after us had their food served, but we were the only ones not served. They kept saying it was "still preparing"?
Alice Lee
Quite possibly, the best Sheng Jian Bao I’ve had in Singapore!
Rista Lim
Good soundproofing – quiet enough to have serious conversations. Pan-fried buns are yummy, with a good amount of soup inside, a slightly bouncy and chewy skin, and a crisp, fried bottom. Pan-fried gyoza was surprisingly good too, with an even bouncier skin than the buns, but with less soup. Shanghai fried noodles were good, with cabbage and sliced, slightly fatty pork. Peanut sauce wontons were yummy, despite a very orange sauce.
Winnie
I had an amazing meal at a restaurant with my family — the food was absolutely delicious! We enjoyed *pan-fried soup buns (Sheng Jian Bao)* and *braised pork chop noodles*. Every bite was full of flavor, and sharing it with my loved ones made the experience even more special.
Jas Yeo
The 生煎包s were very juicy and tasty! The crust was thick and full of flavours! The portion of the Shanghai noodles was generous as well!
Daniel Siew Tiong Meng
Absolutely incredible! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Shanghai Tan's pan-fried buns are a must-try. The bottom is perfectly crispy, the wrapper delightfully chewy, and the juicy, flavorful filling bursts with every bite. Easily the best I've had outside of Shanghai. Can't wait to go back for more!
Meng
Great value lunch set. Came with a bowl of signature wonton soup (8 pcs), 2 pcs of panfried buns, and a hot barley drink. The wontons were plump, and the soup was somewhat bland, though it contained some seaweed. The barley was mildly sweet, which was good. The panfried buns were nice and juicy.
Sisi Zhang
The most delicious pan-fried buns I could find in Singapore! The bottom crust is crispy, the filling of meat and shrimp is generous, the seasoning is great, and the juice is rich. Be careful not to splash when eating🙈
Ying-Jie Lui
Very very tasty pan-fried buns! The broth in the bun is really flavourful. We also tried the wanton soup, and the wantons were equally flavourful. The cold chicken dish is also really refreshing!
Mei Yeo
Ordered the following 3 items: B2 Signature “Popping Juice” Pan Fried Bun C6 Dry Signature Wanton with Shepherd’s Purse, Pork and Peanut Butter D1 Signature Noodles with Soy & Spring Onion (Dry) All tasted good! The skin for the pan-fried buns was a bit thick, but still delicious.
Charmaine Lee
I haven't been to Shanghai before, but if this is authentic Shanghainese fare, it's pretty novel and different from what's sold in other cities/provinces. Food was delectable and tasty, especially their signature 生煎包 with very generous scalding soup. The main downside was that some dishes were a little too salty, such as the fried noodles and wontons in peanut sauce. Service was efficient, but there was very limited seating space, so expect to queue for more than 15 min during peak hours.
Jordan Lin
The classic pan-fried pork buns were crispy on the bottom, juicy inside, and packed with rich flavor — exactly like what I used to get in Shanghai. The prawn version came with a whole shrimp inside, super fresh and satisfying. Also loved the side dishes like the drunken chicken and sweet glutinous rice balls. Definitely coming back for more. Authentic taste, friendly service, and very reasonable prices!
Original Shanghai Drunken Chicken
Steamed Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce
Grandma's Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs
Black Fungus in Vinaigrette
Stewed Beancurd Cubes with Honey Sauce and Mushroom
Poached Hong Kong Kai Lan
One Meat & One Vegetable
Crispy Pork Chop
Fried Pork Fillet
Crispy Fried tenderloin with Pepper Salt
Fried Sausage
Shanghai Tan Pan-fried Bun Platter (2pcs with Prawn)
Signature "Popping juice" Pan-fried Bun
Pork with Prawn
Pan-fried pork Dumpling
Pork & Mushrooms Dumpling
Steamed Green Vegetables
Signature Steamed "Xiao Long Bao"
Drunken Chicken
Braised Pork Rib with Special Home-made Sauce
Black Fungus in Peppercorn Vinaigrette
Steamed Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce
Stewed Beancurd Cubes with Honey Sauce and Mushroom
Poached Hong Kong Kai Lan
Appetizer Platter (One Meat & One Vegetable)
Shanghai Tan Pan-fried Bun Platter
Signature "Popping Juice" Pan-fried Bun
Pork with Prawn Pan-fried Bun
Pan-fried Pork Dumpling
Signature Steamed Pork "Xiao Long Bao"
Steamed Green Vegetables & Mushroom Bun
Braised Glutinous Rice, Pork & Mushrooms Dumpling
Crispy Pork Chop
Fried Pork Fillet
Fried Sausage
Crispy Fried tenderloin with Pepper Salt
42 photos