清同治元年（公元1862年），食肆经营者祝正平、蔡任兴合伙开菜馆，以姓名中各一字命名为"正兴馆"，因冒名者甚多，遂改名为"老正兴"，并冠以"同治"二字。
百余年来，老正兴菜馆以太湖地区盛产之活河鲜为原料，菜肴颇具江南风味，以烹制浓淡相宜的上海菜为特色。所谓春有春笋塘鲤鱼，夏有银鱼炒蛋、油爆虾，秋有大闸蟹，冬有下巴划水，此乃老正兴河（湖）鲜鱼类菜肴，源于太湖船菜，当场活杀活鱼之真实写照也。仅青鱼一项，就有下巴划水、肚、秃肺、煎糟、汆糟、汤卷等等，故称之为"活鲜大王"并非言过其实也。老正兴之油爆虾菜获国家金牌奖，以"天下第一虾"美名驰誉中外。
从山东路乔迁至福州路556号后，老正兴古色古香的门楼诉说历史的沧桑，其现代化设施、以及明亮、温馨的餐厅、二楼的婚寿喜筵、三楼的包房雅俗共赏，丰俭随意。真是老友相聚、喜庆筵席、不惭其廉、随意小吃、情侣便酌，不惮其贵。四、五楼客房又展示了时代的新貌。老正兴虽老正兴，虽老弥馨。敬请新老顾客多多光顾。老正兴，品尝其正宗上海菜，必定朵颐大快有望，身心获益靡涯。
Laozhengxing Restaurant was opened in 1862 by Zhu Zhenben and Cai Renxing,two natives of Zhejiang Province. Originally it was named "Zhengxing Restaurant". Later as too many restaurants adopted this name,its name was changed into "Laozhengxing". This restaurant was regarded as "Tongzhi Branch". In its prime time,"Laozhengxing"had more than 200 branches. But only "Donghao Branch" is still in operation today.
In 1999,Laozhengxing was removed into a six -storied building at 556 Fuzhou Road.Snacks are provided on the first floor. On the second and third floors are canteens. On the fourth and fifth floors are guest rooms. Thus Laozhengxing stepped into a new phase of development.
In different seasons Laozhengxing provides different dishes. In spring you can taste fishes. In summer shrimps are frequently seen there. In autumn come delicious crabs. In winter the famous herring dishes make appearance.
In the early period of the 1950s,the government leaders Zhou Enlai,Chen Yi,Song Qingling,etc.all went to Laozhengxing to taste the herring dishes there. ZhouEnlai entertained important guests at banquets in Laozhengxing twice.After tasting many delicious dishes there.Zhou Enlai offered his high praise:"The dishes of Laozhengxing are unique.You should keep cooking such delicous dishes."
Nowadays,people tend to eat more vegetables than meats. Among the various kinds of meats,people prefer aquatic products to four-legged animals. Laozhengxing has been focusing on aquatic products on a consistent basis. Chen Jiguan,president of Laozhengxing Restaurant indicated that in spite of the fast changes in people's taste,Laozhengxing would continue to stick to its ow style.
As it is autumn now ,Laozhengxing has prepared sufficient crab dishes for you . Why not go there to have a try?
