Shanghai Food Tour: Savor the Essence of Shanghai's Authentic Local Cuisine

Tour Itinerary

Your day begins as your friendly and knowledgeable guide, holding the "Your Way Holiday" sign, warmly welcomes you at the agreed meeting point. They will assist you with your luggage and escort you as we embark on your immersive Shanghai journey. Our motto, "Travel like a local," will be at the heart of the experience, offering you an authentic look into local culture and customs. Your guide will offer insights, personal anecdotes, and historical context to enhance your experience, ensuring you not only see Shanghai but truly understand its rich cultural fabric.

We’ll start by heading to a Local Market, where the vibrant atmosphere of a traditional morning market will be your introduction to the city’s dynamic street life. As you explore the busy market stalls, your guide will help you understand the significance of these markets in Shanghai, offering insights into how locals use them in their daily lives. This is where you can interact with the vendors, ask questions about ingredients, and witness firsthand how Shanghai’s food culture is deeply tied to its city life. Fresh produce, local specialties, and fascinating products will surround you as you take in the colorful sights and smells. Your guide will share the history of the market, its role in local commerce, and how it represents the essence of Shanghai's traditional yet modern lifestyle. The bustling market is a perfect place to dive deep into local life and witness the city's pulse firsthand.

After our market visit, we’ll stop by a local breakfast spot where you’ll get a taste of traditional Shanghai breakfast foods. One of the key dishes you’ll try is salty soy milk (xian doujiang), a warm, savory soy milk that’s often served with pickled vegetables or other side dishes. This comforting drink is a staple for many locals in the morning. Alongside it, you’ll enjoy rice dumplings (ci fan tuan), which are sticky rice wrapped in a thin layer of dough, often filled with savory ingredients like pickled vegetables or fried dough. It’s a satisfying and filling snack, perfect for starting the day. You’ll also taste crispy fried dough sticks (youtiao), which are long, golden, and crunchy pieces of dough, often dipped into the soy milk or eaten on their own. This combination of foods is a classic example of Shanghai’s breakfast culture, providing a savory, hearty meal to energize locals for their busy day ahead. Your guide will share some background on these foods, explaining how they became such a beloved part of Shanghai's daily routine.

Next, we head to Chenghuang Temple, a vibrant site that offers a glimpse into Shanghai’s cultural history. The temple, dating back to the 18th century, is one of the oldest and most important religious sites in Shanghai, where locals come to pray for prosperity, peace, and good fortune. As we explore the temple, your guide will narrate fascinating stories about the temple’s history and its spiritual significance. You'll gain an understanding of Shanghai’s blend of traditional Chinese beliefs and modern lifestyles. Along with the historical insight, we’ll also explore the lively surrounding area, famous for its array of food stalls and local shops. You’ll have the opportunity to sample iconic local snacks such as Nanxiang Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), crab roe soup dumplings (xie fen tang bao), and delicate dim sum from Lübo Lang. Your guide will explain the origins of these beloved dishes, deepening your understanding of Shanghai's culinary traditions. This stop is a perfect blend of history, culture, and food.

After Chenghuang Temple, we will take a stroll through the elegant Yuyuan Garden, one of Shanghai’s most famous classical gardens. This serene retreat offers a peaceful escape from the bustling city, with its beautiful landscaping, koi ponds, and traditional architecture. As we wander through the garden’s exquisite pavilions and rockeries, your guide will share detailed explanations of its design principles, showing how its layout reflects traditional Chinese philosophy and the harmony between nature and man-made structures. The garden’s winding paths, intricate bridges, and hidden corners create an immersive experience, allowing you to discover new sights at every turn. Yuyuan Garden is a perfect example of Shanghai's rich cultural heritage, combining art, nature, and tranquility. Your guide will also offer fascinating insights into the history of the garden, explaining how it was originally built in the Ming dynasty and its significance as a symbol of Shanghai’s cultural evolution. This visit provides a deep dive into the beauty and philosophy of classical Chinese gardens, offering a peaceful contrast to the fast-paced urban life surrounding it.

From Yuyuan Garden, we’ll continue to Old Shanghai Street, an area brimming with traditional handcraft shops and historical charm. As you wander through the narrow alleys, your guide will introduce you to the ancient art forms and crafts that are still practiced in this part of the city, such as silk embroidery, wood carvings, and traditional paper cutting. You can shop for unique handmade goods and local souvenirs, such as silk scarves, intricate carvings, and porcelain pieces, as you take in the cultural atmosphere of the area. Your guide will also explain how Shanghai's rich history as a trading port has influenced its craft culture. As you explore, you’ll also have the chance to sample more traditional Shanghai street foods, including scallion pancakes (cong you bing) and sweet rice porridge (tang zhou), offering you a true taste of the city’s culinary heritage. This stop brings together Shanghai’s cultural history, local crafts, and vibrant street food scene.

For lunch, we will enjoy a hearty meal of classic Shanghainese dishes, including braised pork (hong shao rou), sautéed shrimp (you bao xia), and salted pork and vegetable stew (yan du xian). Braised pork is a rich and flavorful dish made by slow-cooking pork belly in a combination of soy sauce, sugar, and spices, creating a tender, savory-sweet flavor that melts in your mouth. Sautéed shrimp is a simple yet delicious dish, where shrimp is quickly cooked with garlic, ginger, and a dash of soy sauce, preserving its natural sweetness and flavor while adding a bit of savory depth. Salted pork and vegetable stew is a comforting dish that combines salted pork with seasonal vegetables, simmered together for hours to create a hearty, savory stew that is perfect for a filling meal. These dishes reflect the distinct flavors and techniques used in Shanghainese cuisine, which focuses on balancing sweet, savory, and umami elements. They are enjoyed by locals as part of everyday meals.

After lunch, we will head to Tianzifang, a charming arts district known for its narrow alleyways, creative shops, and unique food spots. Here, you’ll find a blend of modern art and traditional Shanghai architecture, with galleries, boutique shops, and street art surrounding you. As you walk through the district, your guide will share the history of Tianzifang’s transformation from an old residential area to a bustling creative hub, discussing how it has become a vibrant space where local artists and designers showcase their work. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to sample creative desserts like mango sticky rice (mango nuomici) and handmade ice cream, as well as browse local art galleries and artisan boutiques. This neighborhood beautifully showcases the fusion of Shanghai’s traditional charm and its vibrant, forward-thinking creative scene, offering a unique experience that reflects the city’s ever-evolving cultural scene.The contrast of old-style lane houses with contemporary art galleries creates a vibrant atmosphere, and you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported back in time while also experiencing the cutting-edge creativity of modern Shanghai. 

During your time in Tianzifang, we’ll also participate in a Cooking Workshop, where you’ll learn to prepare iconic Shanghai dishes like Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and scallion oil noodles (cong you ban mian). The hands-on experience will allow you to understand the culinary techniques behind these beloved dishes and provide you with a deeper connection to Shanghai’s food culture. After the workshop, you’ll have the chance to savor the delicious dishes you’ve created, adding a personal touch to your Shanghai culinary journey. This cooking class will enhance your understanding of the skills and precision needed to create these iconic dishes and provide you with a unique souvenir – your culinary creations!

To end your culinary journey, we’ll visit Yunnan South Road Food Street, a popular spot for delicious local street foods. One of the must-try dishes is Shengjianbao, which are pan-fried dumplings filled with juicy pork and a savory broth. The dumplings are crisp on the bottom, with a tender dough on top, making each bite a satisfying contrast of textures. Another favorite is paigu niangao, or rib rice cakes, a hearty dish where tender pork ribs are served alongside chewy rice cakes in a savory, slightly sweet sauce. The ribs add a rich, meaty flavor that pairs perfectly with the soft, sticky rice cakes. You’ll also have the chance to try zha zhu pai, which are fried pork chops. The chops are coated in a crispy batter, creating a delicious crunch on the outside, while the meat remains juicy and tender on the inside. These street foods are not only tasty but also offer a glimpse into the everyday food culture of Shanghai, where locals love to gather and enjoy these quick, flavorful bites. Your guide will ensure you get to experience the best of these treats, making it a perfect end to your food-filled adventure in Shanghai.

As your food tour draws to a close, your guide will either arrange transportation to the airport or train station, or offer some free time for you to explore further on your own. Whether you’re continuing your journey or heading home, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of Shanghai’s food, culture, and vibrant local life, having experienced the city like a true local.

Price Per Person in US Dollars