Beloved by locals and Hollywood royalty alike, the signature sesame paste is a finely balanced blend of peanut and sesame, leaving a delicate, sweet finish on the palate. The noodles themselves are made from a custom-milled, alkaline-rich flour, delivering a springy bite and a rich, wheaty aroma.

　　Another bestseller, the pork chop, features a signature soy sauce simmered according to a time-honored recipe, complemented by house-made chili oil.

　　Originally a cafe serving only coffee and cold beverages, the shop later pivoted to budget-friendly noodles and beef soup, rebranding as Wei Xiang Zhai, which translates literally as "good taste".

　　Nearly a century on, for many Shanghai residents, Wei Xiang Zhai is far more than a noodle joint. "People sit shoulder to shoulder, chatting in Shanghainese — especially empty-nesters who relish the chance to speak their dialect," Xue said. "Some bring their grandkids and declare with pride: 'This is what grandpa ate as a kid.' And those who have moved away, even overseas, come back for this taste."

　　Alyona Semchuk, a Russian visitor, stumbled upon Wei Xiang Zhai on Instagram. "I love Shanghai cuisine," she said. "The noodles with this peanut sauce are amazing."

　　French tourist Capron Agathe found the spot while scrolling TikTok. "In my country, we don't use peanut butter this way. It's really different to have it in a savory dish," she said.

　　Beyond this humble noodle shop, a growing number of Shanghai eateries are captivating tourists from around the world.

　　Wu You Xian, axiaolongbao(soup dumpling) shop renowned for its crab roe dumplings, raised the bar further in 2025 by becoming the first of its kind in Shanghai to earn a Michelin star.