German restaurants in Shanghai today are not uncommon, and the first to bring German food to Shanghai was the German Paulaner Group. Founded in 1634 in Bagolia, the Paulaner Group has a history of nearly 500 years, and its Paulaner restaurants have been represented by German culture all over the world. Paulaner restaurants have many branches in major cities in China, and have won numerous awards over the years, with both strength and reputation. Many lovers of German cuisine refer to it as "the most authentic German restaurant in the country".
Paulaner Restaurant in Shanghai is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Taiwan's Nanqiao Group, Shanghai Paulaner Catering Co., Ltd. In 1997, Shanghai Paulaner Catering Co., Ltd. began to cooperate with the German Paulaner Group to open the first upscale Bavarian-themed restaurant and microbrewery in the heart of Shanghai's former French Concession (the first Paulaner restaurant in Shanghai, which closed in 2016 due to the expiration of the contract). Today, there are four branches in Shanghai, among which Raffles City Changning has won the 2018 Experts' Choice Award from TripExpert. Less than 2% of restaurants worldwide receive this award, which confirms its status as one of the world's leading restaurants.
Compared with the delicate and small Italian food of French food, German food is rough and unrestrained, and the portions are large and do not pay attention to plating, especially meat products. The different German states have their own representative dishes, among which the local cuisine of Bavaria is the most well-known German cuisine. Bavaria is Germany's largest federal state, and its capital is Munich, the beer capital, and Paulaner is one of the most famous breweries in Munich. At Paulaner you can taste authentic Bavarian cuisine. The signature German roast pork knuckle with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes is made in the classic Bavarian way, marinated pork trotters are fried over medium to high heat, and the skin of the pork knuckle is baked until crispy and the golden color is very attractive. The skin is crispy and chewy, and the meat inside is still tender. The roasted pork knuckle is served into cubes by the chef and is very convenient to eat. Served with German-style sauerkraut, the whole plate is also quite substantial, suitable for many people to share and eat.
The specialty homemade sausages are also not to be missed. The sausage platter offers four different flavours: Nuremberg-style sausage, cheese sausage, Viennese sausage and pork sausage, also served with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. Among them, the Nuremberg intestine is the most compact, mainly made of pork and marjoram, with a grainy taste and relatively rough meat. Vienna sausages are full-bodied, slightly smoky and elastic, the most representative of which is the Munich white sausage. Munich sausages are the most classic sausage in Germany, made from minced veal and cured pork. Unlike other sausages, which are mostly fried, white sausages are usually boiled in water, and the casing must be peeled off and eaten to maintain the most delicate taste. However, the casing is stripped before the food is served, so diners don't have to do it themselves, which is very intimate. In addition, there are classic staples such as fish and seafood, grilled steak, and exquisite desserts such as German cheese, bagels, and apple strudel.
In addition to serving authentic Bagolia cuisine, the restaurant's craft beer is also a major attraction that cannot be overlooked. Each of the four Paulaner restaurants in Shanghai offers three traditional beers: Helles, Weissbier and Dunkles. All beers come from the restaurant's own microbrewery, are made according to the most traditional Bavarian Beer Brewing Act of 1516 (CNPP100 note: there is no causal relationship between the two if not the Beer Brewing Act is good) and is strictly monitored by the brewers of Paulaner in Munich. Brewed using the traditional method of "unfiltered, unfiltered, original flavor", Paulaner's beers are soft on the palate and have a rich, evocative bitterness. The principle of non-filtered brewing also preserves the original appearance of the beer and gives it a different flavor. Among all the German restaurants in Shanghai, Paulaner's restaurant ranks first in beer production.
The restaurant's four existing branches are located in Xintiandi, Lujiazui, Expo Park and Changning Raffles City, all of which are popular business districts. The latest store is located in the ancient building of Sisuntang, a two-storey single-family building in Raffles City Changning, which was formerly the school building of St. Mary's Girls' High School, which was established in 1923. The interior of the restaurant has been renovated with a modern and simple design style combined with traditional rustic furnishings and décor to create a strong German atmosphere that makes it easy to immerse yourself in. The beer garden outside the restaurant has outdoor seating, so you can sit in the open air on a sunny afternoon or evening day and enjoy a beer and a delicious meal.
Inspired by Bavarian mountain chalets, the restaurant offers comfortable semi-open rooms on both floors for gatherings of up to 60 people, with advance reservations required. It is worth mentioning that the second-floor mountain cabin-shaped private room houses a copper beer brewing pot with a long history, which has brewed more than 6,000 pots of beer, and it is worth a visit for every diner. From Monday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m., the restaurant has a Filipino band and parties at major football events, showing the enthusiasm and heroism of Bavaria. Most of the restaurant's managers, from the manager to the waiters, speak Taiwanese Mandarin, but it's not surprising to know that its parent company is from Taiwan. They have a good service attitude and are familiar with the dishes, but they can be a little rushed when they are busy, and some of them are inconsiderate, so diners need to wait patiently.
