Shanghai (Santurce)

"Shanghai (Santurce)" refers to a once-popular, now largely forgotten, Chinese restaurant located in the Santurce neighborhood of San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was a prominent fixture in the area for several decades, known for its Americanized Chinese cuisine and its historical significance as one of the earlier examples of Chinese restaurants establishing a presence in Puerto Rico.

While not necessarily serving authentic Shanghainese cuisine in the strictest sense, "Shanghai (Santurce)" offered dishes common in many American Chinese restaurants, such as chop suey, chow mein, and fried rice. Its appeal stemmed from its affordability and accessibility, catering to a diverse clientele within the local community.

The restaurant's historical significance lies in its contribution to the cultural landscape of Santurce, illustrating the early integration of Chinese culinary traditions into Puerto Rican society. It represented a point of cultural exchange, even if the cuisine was adapted to local tastes and preferences. The exact details of the restaurant's founding and eventual closure are not readily available in readily accessible historical records, and its memory primarily resides in the recollections of long-time residents of Santurce. Due to its closure and lack of widespread documentation, comprehensive historical information about "Shanghai (Santurce)" is limited.