Andrew Moo is a food and beverage consultant and co-founder of Yaya's, a neighborhood pasta bar.
Andrew Moo believes the best memories are made around a table. He's a food and beverage consultant and co-founder of Yaya's, a neighborhood pasta bar.
Originally from Perth, Australia, Moo has been living in China for over a decade, with stints in Guangzhou and Beijing before arriving in Shanghai. Prior to opening Yaya's, he founded Taste Collective, a boutique marketing agency and opened Hatchery, one of China's first food incubators.
More recently he's been working with some great hospitality brands in China and developed food menus for some Shanghai venues such as Candor, Le DaiLY and The Cannery.
Q: Which neighborhood do you live in?
I live on Xiangyang Road S. in Xuhui District.
Q: What's the best thing about living in this neighborhood?
I like the relaxed vibe of this downtown area – it's peaceful but there's also a lot going on – lots of cafes, restaurants and bars – and it's very central as it's near Jing'an, Huangpu and Changning districts.
Q: What's a must-see attraction here?
Just walking the tree-lined streets – it's the prettiest neighborhood in Shanghai.
Q: Each person might have a different stand, but they all want a great cafe. What's your favorite cafe near home?
I usual get coffee from Yan Yi (言一, 297 Jianguo Road W.) and Manual Espresso bar (15 Yanqing Road), as well as matcha from La Matcha (158 Xiangyang Road S.).
Moo usually gets coffee from Yan Yi.
Q: Where should I eat around here?
There are a lot of good breakfast spots – especially Yang Yang Potstickers (洋洋锅贴, 102 Gao'an Road), Wanton Potstickers Congee (馄饨锅贴粥, 224 Jiashan Road).
The best dumpling spot without a doubt is Shandong Handmade Dumplings (山东手工水饺馆, 14 Yanqing Road). Zup Pizza Bar (291 Fumin Road) is known for their pizza, but their best-kept secret is the Italian Cold Cut sandwich on house-made focaccia, which is arguably the best sandwich in the city.
I also love Blaz (20 Donghu Road) for an excellent lunch and glass of wine, and Where the Peaches Grow (园有桃, 167 Xinle Road) for modern Hunan cuisine and great service.
Yang Yang Potstickers
Zup Pizza Bar
Where the Peaches Grow
Q: From high fashion to emerging designers, from flowers to fresh produce, where do you shop in your neighborhood?
These days I purchase most things online, but I still enjoy shopping at the Fuzhong Wet Market (复中市场, 1239 Fuxing Road M.) for fresh produce.
Q: Are there any neighborhood place for a night out or simply a drink after work?
Senator Saloon (98 Wuyuan Road) for classic cocktails and late-night club sandwiches, Paal (94 Nanchang Road) for drinks and warm hospitality, Constellation (86 Xinle Road) for martinis, and Lucky Mart (185 Fumin Road) for hotdogs and highballs.
Lucky Mart offers delicious highballs and hotdogs.
Q: Any new discovery in your neighborhood lately?
Alors (200 Taikang Road) just opened in Tian Zi Fang – French wines and small plates from a passionate team.
The new No Filter (58 Wuyuan Road) bar and cafe is super nice for cocktails and snacks. And the lamb extravaganza which is Anar Kawap (758 Julu Road) for skewers, but also pilaf and lamb wantons.
A newly opened wine bistro in Tian Zi Fang