Fu 1039

The dining room in a heritage mansion circa 1920s is furnished in a retro style with a terrace and several private rooms. Unlike its two sisters, the original Fu focuses on home-style Shanghainese cooking, including some multi-step labour-intensive recipes. River fish is one of its strong suits, especially river eels prepared in a myriad of ways. Try also oil-blanched river shrimps that are bouncy in texture and loaded with umami.

Vintage Setting in a Restored Villa

• Fu 1039 is located in a beautifully restored 1920s villa, providing a nostalgic and elegant atmosphere that enhances the dining experience.

Focus on Labor-Intensive Recipes

• The restaurant emphasizes home-style Shanghainese cooking, featuring multi-step, labor-intensive recipes that showcase the depth of traditional culinary techniques.

Signature Freshwater Ingredients

• Fu 1039 specializes in freshwater ingredients, particularly river fish and eels, prepared in various unique ways, highlighting the local culinary heritage.

Signature Ingredients

• River fish (freshwater): Sourced from local Shanghai rivers, this ingredient anchors Fu 1039's emphasis on authentic Shanghainese flavors. The delicate, clean sweetness of freshwater fish is showcased through braises and light preparations, highlighting superior texture and regional character.
• River shrimp: A signature seafood component highlighted in stir-fried river shrimp dishes. These freshwater shrimp provide a crisp-tender bite and natural sweetness that epitomizes the restaurant's focus on local aquatic ingredients.
• Eel: Another cornerstone of Fu 1039's freshwater menu. Eel offers rich, succulent flavor and a silky texture, typically prepared to preserve moisture and depth of flavor within traditional preparations.
• Pork belly (braised): A defining Old Shanghai staple on the menu. Slow braised to render fat and develop a deep, caramelized glaze, delivering a comforting, nostalgic profile that anchors many dishes.
• Old Shanghai smoked fish: Reflects the region's preservation and smoky flavor traditions. The smoking process concentrates aroma and umami, delivering a signature, memory-evoking element of the restaurant's heritage cuisine.
• Goose liver (pan-fried with blueberry sauce): A refined, upscale offering that pairs creamy liver with a bright blueberry sauce, illustrating Fu 1039's balance of nostalgic dishes with sophisticated technique.