Film takes a bite of Shanghai's hidden eateries

"Just like the city itself, where you can find an exquisite cafe on one street corner and, around the next bend, an old noodle shop that's been serving locals for decades. Elegance and vernacular, sophistication and grassroots charm — they coexist in perfect harmony," Wu explained.

At the film's Shanghai premiere earlier this month, Wang remarked that food becomes the catalyst that brings two strangers together, especially in a city where loneliness can run deep.

Jiang added that what makes the film compelling is its exploration of the "food buddy" culture — an informal but meaningful social bond that has taken on new resonance in contemporary urban life. In a city where coordinating schedules with friends can feel increasingly exhausting, she observed, finding a reliable meal companion can be its own small joy.