Café de Coral and Shanghai Lao Lao introduce inclusive Shanghainese dining

Café de Coral’s sub brand “Taste Joy” has partnered with local food brand Shanghai Lao Lao  to create the new “Shanghainese soft gourmet” menu, a move that reinforces the group’s commitment to inclusive dining for individuals with chewing and swallowing difficulties.

Don't miss: Café de Coral's new brand brings joy to those with chewing and swallowing difficulties

Launched in 2024, Taste Joy delivers professionally crafted meals that meet both the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) and Guideline of Care Food Standard, showcasing the growing demand for food options suitable for individuals with dysphagia.

This newest collaboration introduces a variety of classic Shanghainese dishes, meticulously tailored to IDDSI levels 3 to 7EC, ensuring the menu caters to a spectrum of dietary and swallowing needs.

A spokesperson from Café de Coral told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE that Shanghai Lao Lao was selected for the partnership due to its long-standing reputation for exceptional food and heartfelt service — making it a trusted choice for multi-generational families.

“The ‘Shanghainese soft gourmet’ menu is designed to meet the needs of multiple generations, offering classic Shanghainese dishes tailored to various dietary requirements.” 

As part of this effort, Shanghai Lao Lao has also joined the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) Care Food Incubation Scheme, becoming the first local brand to offer Shanghainese-style care food. Throughout the menu development, HKCSS provided professional consultation and support, boosting Shanghai Lao Lao’s confidence in delivering standardised, high-quality care meals.

Now available at eight Shanghai Lao Lao outlets, the new menu offers a safer and more inclusive dining experience that brings beloved Shanghainese flavours to a broader audience. While most care food options in Hong Kong currently emphasise local flavours, this collaboration aims to broaden the spectrum of choices available to those with special dietary needs, added the spokesperson.  

“With Taste Joy already offering signature Hong Kong-style dishes such as soy sauce chicken leg and curry beef ribs, the partnership with Shanghai Lao Lao brings beloved Shanghainese cuisine into the care food category, which is also a popular choice among locals.” 

To promote this partnership, a launch ceremony for the new menu was hosted at the Shanghai Lao Lao Kornhill branch on 2 October. In celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, guests with swallowing difficulties and their families were invited to enjoy the new dishes and Taste Joy’s mooncakes, sharing a warm and festive experience. 

Building on its strong partnership with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Taste Joy and Shanghai Lao Lao continue to actively promote the new menu to NGOs and the wider public, raising awareness among those in need and championing inclusive dining across the community, said the spokesperson.  

By creating inclusive dining options for individuals with chewing and swallowing difficulties, the initiative addresses a pressing social need, especially within Hong Kong’s aging population, said the spokesperson.  

“The partnership with the HKCSS demonstrates our dedication to community care, health standards, and social inclusion. With meals crafted to meet international safety standards (IDDSI) and plans to expand soft gourmet offerings across our brands, we are actively building a more caring and accessible food culture—one that brings joy, dignity, and comfort to those who need it most.”  

Piony Leung (pictured third left), CEO of Café de Coral Group, said: “Café de Coral Group has always embraced the mission of being ‘Hongkonger’s Canteen,’ prioritising community care and diverse dining needs. The launch of ‘Shanghainese Soft Gourmet’ and Shanghai Lao Lao’s role as an Incubation Scheme Seed Restaurant marks our key steps toward inclusive dining and elderly welfare.” 

“We are grateful for HKCSS’s professional support, which boosts our confidence in delivering care food. More brands under our group will continue to develop diverse soft-meal offerings to bring joy to those with chewing and swallowing difficulties,” she added. 

Take your brand to new heights with cutting-edge AI strategies, innovative technology, and data-powered experiences. Don’t miss Digital Marketing Asia 2025 in Hong Kong on 20-21 October, where 200+ marketing leaders will explore game-changing trends, proven successes, and bold ideas shaping the future.

Related articles:

Café de Coral and dentsu HK empower DSE students with new campaign
Café de Coral and Hello Kitty promote green lifestyle with new campaign