18.9RMB, Average Lunch Cost in Shanghai « My Shanghai That’s Shanghai

18.9RMB, Average Lunch Cost in Shanghai

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Okay, it seems that we have a scientific number about how much it cost for a lunch in Shanghai!

A research by Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine showed that average lunch cost in Shanghai is 18.9RMB. Some interesting findings below:

Lujiazui (The financial centre in Pudong Shanghai)
-People working in Lujiazui spent least time in Shanghai (average 28 minutes)
-Western fast food topped the lunch choices in Lujiazui (33.8%) because it is fast, convenient and clean
-Dining out decreased from previous 23.5% to 16.1% due to economic recession
-Some people had biscuits or breads as lunch 3-4 times a week due to busy working schedule

Huaihai Road (Shanghai Favourite Shopping Street)
-57.7% of the staff have to dine out because foods are not allowed inside the offices
-Some people had fruits and snack during the lunch because the lunch time is too short and the queues are always long in front of those restaurants

Hongqiao (Business centre near Hongqiao Airport)
-Most expensive lunch in Shanghai (average 26.8RMB )
-Most people working in Hongqiao bring their own lunch boxes because too expensive to eat out

So how true this is?

Personally I think 18.9RMB is a reasonable number for a lunch in Shanghai. A few lunch options if you are working in Shanghai:

-Bring own lunch box
-Lunch box from convenience stores (10-15RMB)

Lunch box from the convenience stores in Shanghai. It's Okay but not very exciting.

Lunch box from the convenience stores in Shanghai. This one costs 15RMB. It's Okay but not very exciting.

-Lunch meal at Chinese/Western fast food chain such as KFC, McDonald’s (15-25RMB)
-Simple take away (7-15RMB)

This is how a normal lunch box look like. Quality is a bit poor...

This is how a normal lunch box look like. 10RMB.

-Set lunch or shared lunch at a decent restaurant (25-50RMB)
-Set lunch or shared lunch at a high end restaurant (100-150RMB)

I also found lunch is a big headhache for myself.

-Lunch box: no time to cook in the morning and don’t like left over from yesterday as it is not fresh
-Simple take aways/fast food: too boring, options are limited and poor quality and hygiene concern

: Kung Po Chicken with Rice! 8RMB

-High end restaurant set lunch: just too expensive and don’t think worthwhile

So seems that the only option left is the set lunch at a decent restaurant which is close to the survey result!

And this is what I love to have for my lunch - a Japanese lunch set near my office: Salad, Fried Pork Steak, Pickles, egg and Tempura. How much? 35RMB!