Zup Pizza Bar is back after closing last year, bringing its Chicago-style tavern pizza to a new location on Shaanxi Road N.
Wayne Hou and Lee Tseng found the street-level spot ideal for their concept. “We tried to make the Fumin Road location work as a flagship, but the changing economy made it difficult. This new Zup is the right size for what we originally wanted,” said Lee.
The new venue is smaller than the previous one, but it offers a more intimate and community-focused atmosphere. With high stools, street views, and storefront space, the design reflects the team’s personality through fun details.
“We think the tight space will create a lively atmosphere, perfect for the crowd,” Lee added. “Pizza is just the beginning. We want people to enjoy good beer, cocktails, and conversation, creating a full experience.”
Hou runs the kitchen, crafting the perfect thin-crust pizza, while Tseng supports him in every way.
The thin-crust, tavern-style pizza is a classic Chicago dish. Born in Chicago, Hou is excited to bring this style to Shanghai. “We’ve seen a lot of Italian and New York-style pizzas here, and we respect them. But we wanted to do something different and add our own touch,” Hou said. “Chicago taverns served pizza to encourage drinking, so we thought this thin-crust, square-cut pizza would work here too. You don’t need cutlery – it’s not a big slice.”
To achieve the perfect texture and flavor, the dough is made in-house and refrigerated for at least 72 hours. It is then hand-tossed to ensure it’s exceptionally thin.
Zup’s menu features seven types of crispy, thin pizzas, which can be ordered by the slice or whole. The popular “White Gold” pizza is topped with garlic cream sauce, mashed potatoes, pancetta, scallions, and house ranch sauce. Customers can also build their own pizza from a variety of ingredients. A must-try topping is Giardiniera, a crunchy, tangy, house-made sauce, a classic Chicago condiment.
For lunch, the Zup combination sandwich and Smash burger are popular choices, along with appetizers like garlic knots and street corn.
In keeping with the smaller space, orders and payments are made through scanning. The team is working on creating a model where guests can feel comfortable hanging out, just like at home with friends.
“As for cocktails, we keep it simple,” Hou said. “A cold beer or a highball is perfect with our pizza. Simple pleasures.”
Lee hopes the concept will spread to other Shanghai neighborhoods and become a beloved addition to the local scene.
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