Bella (Yue'er)
Cuisine: Northeastern & Shanghai Home Cooking
Location: Xuhui District
Price: ¥340 per person
Group size: 1–2 guests
Meet Bella (Yue'er)
I grew up in Northeast China, a region known for big flavors and even bigger personalities. I studied English at university, so conversation in English has never been a problem.
In college we had American exchange students on campus, and I took them around — the market, ordering food, explaining what guanxi actually means. That was my first taste of being a cultural bridge and I loved it. Later I worked as a translator at a China–Africa economic and trade organization, sitting between Chinese businesses and delegates from across Africa. That taught me something I still carry: real cross-cultural communication isn't word-for-word translation, it's understanding where someone is coming from and finding the right way to meet them there.
After a master's degree at City University of Hong Kong I moved to Shanghai, worked in operations and social media at a biotech company, and eventually went full-time on what I actually love — teaching Chinese metaphysics. My students come to me for clarity, not magic. I get excited going to work every single day.
I also love travelling, meeting new people, and good food. And I have a cat, who will peek at you when you arrive, decide you're fine, and go back to sleep.
Sample menu
- Coconut chicken — the signature, slow-simmered in fresh coconut water
- Coca-Cola chicken wings — dark, sticky, and the dish friends always request
- Spicy shredded pork — the taste of a Northeastern childhood
- Garlic seasonal greens — Shanghai bok choy, water spinach, whatever's best at the market
- Rice, or Northeast-style congee
- Homemade lemon-honey water or Chinese tea
Dietary restrictions, allergies, vegetarian, or no spice — just say so in advance and the menu adapts.
Getting There
Xuhui, Shanghai
- ≈ 25 min from the Bund
- ≈ 10 min from Jing'an Temple
- ≈ 30 min from Lujiazui
Nearest metro: Changshu Road (Line 1, Line 7)