As Dragon Boat Festival approaches, iconic Shanghai restaurants — many of them time-honored brands — are once again rolling out their signature and innovative zongzi offerings.

These pyramid-shaped sticky rice dumplings, deeply rooted in Chinese culinary heritage, are getting a modern makeover this year, blending rich tradition with creative flair and delighting both loyal patrons and curious newcomers.

Shen Da Cheng

The purple rice and coconut date zongzi at Shen Da Cheng. [Photo/General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government]

Shen Da Cheng is offering a rich assortment, including fermented bean curd pork zongzi, purple rice and coconut date zongzi, and the visually striking king size pork zongzi, catering to a wide range of taste preferences.

Multiple addresses include:

No 636 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district

Room A, No 431 Hangzhong Road, Pudong New Area

No 287 East Zhongshan Road Number One, Huangpu district

Wu Fang Zhai

Wu Fang Zhai presents an authentic taste of traditional zongzi. [Photo/General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government]

Another historic brand, Wu Fang Zhai, continues to uphold its century-old craftsmanship. Known nationally for its traditional production techniques, Wu Fang Zhai was recognized as part of China's intangible cultural heritage in 2011 and remains a favorite among zongzi connoisseurs.

Multiple addresses include:

No 1100 Lujiabang Road, Huangpu district

Room 106, No 662 Yuanjing Road, Putuo district

No 2095 Zhangyang Road, Pudong New Area

Shao Wan Sheng

The pork zongzi at Shao Wan Sheng is a must-try. [Photo/General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government]

Shao Wan Sheng, famous for its traditional preserved foods and regional delicacies, is breaking into the zongzi scene with selections that reflect its legacy in Chinese gourmet culture.

Multiple addresses include:

1F, No 1321 Changdao Road, Pudong New Area

No 23 Qihe Road, Pudong New Area

No 50 Dahua Road Number Two, Baoshan district

Sources: Official WeChat account of the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government at "shanghaifabu", above-mentioned establishments