Brown sticky rice wrapped in pastry sheets.

When in search of cheap eats, it's all too easy to succumb to the dubious charms of fast food chains. Granted, burgers and fried chicken wings taste good, but both are high in calories and fat. And as such, highly addictive. Still, options to the "value meal" are plentiful, and Wang Jia Sha (WJS), establish 60 years ago, is one of the best.

At its takeaway outlet on the first floor of a food court, WJS offers a nice selection of reasonably priced snacks, including Shanghai's very own xiao long bao (RMB 8/4 pieces), brown sticky rice wrapped in pastry sheets (RMB 1 each) and hua juan (spring onion bread, RMB 1.5). Delectable hot and cold noodles (RMB 15-20), wonton soup (RMB 5-16), and take-away Chinese dishes are also available. On the second floor, one can enjoy much the same menu while dining in.

The service may not always be friendly, but for a quick bite that's low in calories and fat, and high in local flavor, this is the place.

Wang Jia Sha
Opening time: Daily 7:30am-9pm, No cards.
Location: 807 Nanjing Xi Lu, by Shimen Yi Lu