Testing the senses in Shanghai to find China's best antitourism and off-beat secrets. Dry and sometimes funny observations from a fixed gear roller, food eater and photograph taker.

If you say the word ‘expat’, within 30 seconds someone will say ‘city shop‘. It’s basically Shanghai’s answer to Whole Foods and is full of western families, their screaming blond kids and their bemused ayi.

Ok, we have snuck in here for a baguette and boneless chicken breast from time to time but the prices are laughable.

Where else in the world are you going to pay £10 for a box of Alpen? Switzerland maybe.

If you’re in the mood for a fresh, clean environment in which to eat a horrendously expensive salad-sandwich then look no further than Element Fresh.

Sure, £4.50 for a a slice of avocado, two of tomato and some lettuce between a couple slices of bread only sounds mildly extortionate in London but this is Shanghai – where you can get 8 of the best xiaolongbao in the world for 90p.

Ok, I’ll admit it; the aesthetic is appealing, service noteworthy and the place is clearly popular – teeming on this Friday lunchtime with young dynamic couples and their children with tidy haircuts and sticky fingers covered in carrot juice and lentils.

Ok, the food is good too.  Big salads, fresh quesadillas and a steak sandwich to cure any homesickness.  I could be back in Europe eating organically grown produce – not a word often used in China.

But come on! I just spent 120RMB on a sandwich and coke. I could get Royal mail to send over a Pret baguette for cheaper. How funny when the shoe is on the other foot!