Parisian Charm at Mignon 9, A Cute Bistro on Wuyuan Lu

New on Wuyuan Lu is Mignon 9, is a contemporary French restaurant inspired by Parisienne bistros. Traditional French comforts with a twist at this stylish yet casual restaurant in Shanghai.

The Space

Step away from the hubbub of Wulumuqi Zhong Lu to Wuyuan Lu, a much more tranquil street home to many restaurants and bars, including Mignon 9.

Mignon 9 is a very pretty looking restaurant with a hint of Parisian charm; modern bistro design with a cute terrace and cozy interiors, complete with comfy cushioned banquets.

There’s even a private room tucked in the back that seats up to eight people.

Plus, the terrace is dog-friendly.

It’s a charming space. Conducive for date nights and casual meetups with friends. I’m also loving the playlist, which has French pop and fun indie rock on loop.

Chef Li Tianmu

In the kitchen is Li Tianmu, a humble chef from Beijing with plenty of talent. He first cut his teeth at TRB and Fiume in Beijing, then in Shanghai at Thought For Food and Umi. His last post was executive chef at L’atelier ChicChoc.

The Food at Mignon 9

Dishes at Mignon 9 are mostly French classics with a twist, elevated bistro fare, and Western-style dishes with clear-cut flavor profiles.

A few dishes borrow spices and seasoning from Chinese cuisine, like the green peppercorn stuffed spring chicken and a spice powder on the steak, but that’s about it—subtle. Overall, it’s accessible and easily likeable food.

The lunch menu features a couple brunchy dishes topped with eggs, while dinner rolls out a full spread of wine-friendly snacks, appetizers, fresh pasta, and mains.

Highlights from the dinner menu see artichokes smoked over the coals, served with olives and olive oil. Easy-going appetizer or snack with wine. Then, there's fresh burrata, seasoned with salt, lime zest, black pepper, and lemon vinaigrette served with seasonal persimmon. Persimmon, both ripe and jammy and young and crunchy add texture and varying tones of sweetness.

Smoked Artichoke (¥48)

Persimmon Burrata (¥108)

For something unique, there is the smoked scallops, a fantastic dish of smoky scallops cooked to perfection, served with pomelo segments, lemon and fennel dressing, and yuzu jelly. I just love the smokiness, and the prickle of salt balanced with acidity. One of my favorites.

Smoked Scallops (¥98)

Also on the menu is surf and turf tartare of grass-fed beef and marinated mackerel in a traditional dressing of mustard, finely minced shallot, capers, and cornichons, topped with lemon oil and shaved comté cheese. It's tradition with a twist. Served with excellently crispy house-made potato chips.

Beef Tartare (¥98)

Other dishes see a foie gras terrine, served with blueberry and port sauce, as well as charcoal-grilled M7 beef flap with soy caramel and garlic purée. The steak is dusted in a spice powder of erjingtiao chili and sesame seeds.

Foie Gras Terrine (¥138) – Foie gras, blackberry and port sauce, sourdough bread.

Wagyu Flap (¥268/180g)

For mains to share, there's the grilled pork chop and whole roasted chicken. The juicy pork chop with curry butter and sweet-savory reduced port wine sauce. I don’t see many pork chops on menus, and none that are executed as well as this one.

Grilled Pork Chop (¥158)

As for the chicken, it's a whole spring chicken stuffed plump with Sichuan green peppercorns, green chili, and garlic. It's rich with heady aromas of green peppercorn the moment you pierce the skin. Carved tableside. Good to share.

Chicken with Sichuan Pepper (¥168)

Don't miss the braised lamb shoulder, slow-cooked to fork tender served with mash, Chinese yam, and pickled ginger. If you’re a fan of lamb but not the musk that comes with it, this is for you. Pasta lovers will find comfort in the slow-cooked beef cheek tagliatelle, a dish that's all about fresh pasta and its luscious sauce.

Braised Lamb Shoulder (¥158)

Stewed Beef Cheek Pasta (¥108)

For Dessert

Mignon 9 has a few creative desserts. The Basque cheesecake comes with blackberry and port sauce, dusted with strawberry powder. It's creamy and not overly runny, well-balanced with the delicious port sauce. The Mascarpone Ice Cream is uniquely paired with shiso-strawberry syrup and strawberry powder, and the Sablé presents buttery sablé cookies with lemon cream and caramelized figs.

Basque Cheesecake (¥68)

Mascarpone Ice Cream (¥68)

Sablé (¥68)

As for drinks, it's mostly wine and a couple standard cocktails. Wines by the glass start from ¥80, bottles from ¥300, cocktails are ¥70, beer ¥38.

For Lunch

The lunch menu is served daily, some dishes lean towards brunch. Here are a few highlights:

Egg & Bread (¥78) – Sous vide egg over mashed potatoes with stewed kidney beans, crisped prosciutto, and hollandaise served with toast.

Beef Cheek Rigatoni (¥98) – The same beef cheek as dinner, but served with rigatoni instead of fresh pasta.

Duck Confit (¥108) – A classic and to-French-standard duck confit. Won’t go wrong here! Duck thigh confit to a crispy finish, served with roasted baby potatoes, confit cherry tomatoes and mushrooms, and peas.

French Toast (¥78) – A thick slice of fluffy French toast with vanilla ice cream. Not too eggy, just right.

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Mignon 9
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