Chinatown Food Tour

Duration

3 Hours

Don’t fall for the culinary tourist traps when you’re in San Francisco's Chinatown! Sidewalk Food Tours of San Francisco offers an irresistible food tour in the cultural hotspot of Chinatown.

Explore the remarkable and historic ethnicity, culture and foods that define Hong Kong and mainland China. Taste authentic Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine from five Chinese owned and operated restaurants, food establishments and ethnic bakeries.

Our expert foodies have done extensive and delicious research to offer you the ultimate Chinatown Food Tour. The tastes, traditions, and old-world class of these landmark establishments are a true San Francisco experience. Let us tease your tastebuds with the sweet and savory flavors of delectable authentic Chinese cuisine!

Includes:

• A variety of five delicious foods from the best specialty food stores to ethnic eateries • Our fun, fascinating, and knowledgeable tour guide will divulge tidbits of information only locals know • Walk hidden streets and alleys where we might be the only people on the street. • Hear fun and interesting stories about the Chinese immigrants arrival in SF, The Tong Wars, Chinese architecture and more... • Visit the Chinese Fortune Cookie Factory, the oldest Buddhist Temple in SF and an authentic Chinese market • Taste a variety of styles of Chinese cuisine, including the best baked bun, dim sum and egg tart all without waiting in the long lines.

Flavorful food specialties are served from five of the following places: (subject to change)

• New Hollywood Bakery & Restaurant Our favorite light and buttery buns filled with barbecue-flavored cha siu pork. (est. 1991) • Bund Shanghai Traditional Shanghai style cuisine • Grant Place Local favorite known for Hong Kong style dim sum and Chinese specialties • Hunan House The distinctive flavors of Hunan cuisine • AA Bakery & Café Freshly made, out of the oven, Hong Kong style egg tarts cooked to a smooth flan-like perfection with a buttery flakey crust (est. 2002) • Z&Y Restaurant Chef Han has grown in reputation by preparing food for presidents and foreign ministers of the people’s republic of China (est. 2008)

Behind every great food establishment in this city there is an equally great story of history, tradition and even innovation. On our Chinatown Food Tour, you’ll discover these amazing histories while tasting what has made these Chinese restaurants and bakeries so prized among locals.

Discover just what makes Sidewalk Food Tours of San Francisco's food tours the best in the city!

What Is Not Included?

• All food tastings are included • Feel free to bring a bottled beverage. Some of the food establishments will supply water. • A tip for your guide. It's customary to tip between 15%-20% of the ticket purchase price.

Meeting Location

Pacific and Grant Avenues (San Francisco, CA)

Detailed Directions

The tour will meet in front of the East West Bank located at 1066 Grant Ave San Francisco, CA (94133). The cross streets are Pacific and Grant Avenues, please meet on the Grant Avenue side.

The closest BART station is Montgomery. It is about a 20 minute walk to the meeting location. The Portsmouth Square Parking Garage is located at 733 Kearny Street, between Clay and Washington Streets, and is about a 5 minute walk away from the East West Bank.

FAQ

Do I have to purchase tickets in advance? May I purchase with cash?

Tickets must be purchased in advance and cash is not accepted. Please make sure you purchase tickets well in advance of your desired tour date, as our tours sell out quickly. Tickets can be purchased online or over the phone using Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

What if there is bad weather?

Tours are given rain or shine. A good portion of our time is spent walking outdoors. However, on our food tasting tours, we do spend time inside establishments, so you will not be subject to the elements the entire tour.

What type of clothing and shoes should I wear?

We do a fair amount of walking on our tours. You should dress casually and wear comfortable shoes or sneakers.

How much food do we eat on the Food Tasting Tours?

You will taste foods from five different specialty shops, ethnic eateries, and restaurants. Most people say it's enough food for lunch. All the food is included in the ticket price. We suggest individuals with large appetites, see how they feel after the tour, and order a dish from their favorite tasting.

What if I have dietary restrictions or food allergies?

Please be sure to let us know if you (or anyone in your group) has a dietary restriction (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic, allergy, etc.) when you purchase your tickets. All tastings are prepared in advance at each location, based on the information you provided to us at the time of ticket purchase. Please be sure to purchase your tickets in advance so that we have adequate time to prepare your tasting substitutions. Last minute dietary changes on the tour will not be accommodated. We apologize for the inconvenience. Our tastings are designed to bring you the best of what each renowned food establishment has to offer. In particular, at locations that specialize in traditional, family recipes, there isn’t always a “next best” option we can offer that will meet your specific dietary needs. If you HAVE SEVERE FOOD ALLERGIES please contact us or call us at 877-56-TOURS before purchasing tickets for any of our food tours.

Do you offer vegan or gluten-free options on the tour?

We do not offer vegan or gluten-free substitutions. If you are vegan or gluten-free please contact us or call us at 877-56-TOURS before purchasing tickets for any of our food tours.

Do you offer vegetarian options?

Yes. We have vegetarian options on our food tours. Be sure to let us know, well in advance, and we will make the appropriate substitutions.

Do you offer kosher options?

The majority of the food tastings are not guaranteed kosher. If you keep kosher please contact us or call us at 877-56-TOURS before purchasing tickets for any of our food tours.

How much walking is there on the food tasting tours?

We're on our feet for approximately 3 hours. We walk at a casual pace and stand in place for a few minutes at various attractions. The streets are flat. We do not walk up steep hills, but you will have to walk up small stairs at some of the establishments. We walk up a flight of stair to visit a Buddhist Temple. If you can't walk up the stairs, your guide will meet you on the street after the group sees the temple. Please let us know in advance, if you have difficulty walking up a few flights of stairs, and we will make arrangements for you.

Are your tours appropriate for children?

Our friendly and knowledgeable tour guides make learning about the history, culture, and foods of the neighborhoods we visit interesting, informative, and fun. Please gage whether or not you think this tour is appropriate for your child. Children under the age of 5 are free, unless they're going to participate in all of the food tastings. You may bring a stroller on the tour, but it will have to remain outside, if the food establishment is busy.

Are pets allowed on your tours?

Pets are not allowed on any of our food tasting tours. San Francisco law prohibits pets from entering an establishment that serves food or drink.

Is your tour very touristy? Do native San Franciscans take your tours?

Our tours are specifically designed to take you to the "hidden gems" only the neighborhood locals know about. Therefore, our tours take you "off the beaten path," so your not mobbed by tourists on crowded streets. Native San Franciscans take our tours to explore neighborhoods other than the ones they live in, and learn where to find the best culinary delights. None of our tours have a touristy feel to them. Our goal is for you to revisit a neighborhood like a local.

Are tour guides gratuities included in the price?

Tour guides gratuities are not included in the cost of your tour. While in no way required, we generally recommend giving your guide between 15% - 20% of the purchase price of the tour for a job well done. Our tour guides are dedicated to making your tour the highlight of your stay in San Francisco.

Are gift certificates available?

Yes. A walking food tour is a great gift to give someone living in or visiting San Francisco. Gift certificates can be purchased by clicking on the "Buy a Gift Certificates" link on the bottom of our website home page

How is my gift certificate delivered? Can I print it out now and give it to the recipient myself?

Yes, you can! When you purchase your gift certificate online, you will be presented immediately with your gift certificate so that you can print it out and deliver it. If you buy it over the phone, a link to your gift certificate will be emailed to you as soon as your purchase is completed.

What if I want the gift certificate emailed to the recipient instead?

That's no problem, either! When you purchase your gift certificate, just select the option to have the certificate emailed directly to the recipient and provide their email address. You'll even be able to decide whether you want the email sent immediately or if you'd prefer to schedule it to be emailed on a future date. (For instance, if you want to buy it today so you don't forget, but you don't want it emailed to the recipient until their special day!)

Can I book a private tour?

Yes, private tours are available. To inquire about a private tour, please click on "Private Tours" button on the top right corner of our website home page. Private tours are perfect for corporate team building, birthday parties, family outings, etc.

Is the tour wheelchair and stroller accessible?

Yes. Our Chinatown Food Tour is wheelchair accessible. You may bring a stroller. However, it will have to remain outside at some of the busier restaurants.

What is your refund policy?

We have a no refund policy. Our food tours run rain or shine. We will cancel the tour and issue a refund due to extremely inclement weather.

What do we do if we are running late?

If you are running 15 minutes late, you may meet the group at the first food stop. The first stop is New Hollywood Bakery located at 652 Pacific Ave, right around the corner from the tour meeting location. There are no refunds for late commers, who can't find the group.

About

Sidewalk Tours The story behind Sidewalk Food Tours of San Francisco goes back three years. Two friends with a deep love of food, history and the city of San Francisco found themselves constantly taking friends and family on private walking tours. One day a friend of theirs said, "You guys always give us such informative and delicious food tours. You should start a food tour company, so other people will be able to enjoy your tours as much as we do." And the rest, as they say, is history.

Our goal is to provide exceptional walking food tours of San Francisco, so people will revisit these neighborhoods with confidence and enjoy the array of cultural options they have to offer. We're self-proclaimed foodies. We've made it our mission to eat our way through San Francisco, doing a lot of delicious research ( and some not so appetizing) to bring you the best food options San Francisco has to offer.

There is no better way to learn about the history and culture of a neighborhood than to eat its food. The food, and the people who prepare it, tell a story about the neighborhood. Tease your taste buds and join us in either the old Italian enclave of North Beach; the oldest neighborhood in San Francisco, the Mission District; and the historic and fascinating Chinatown.

We will eat foods from decades old establishments, which have stood the test of time, as well as newer places with award-winning chefs. Join us on a real foodie adventure as we eat our way through these delicious neighborhoods and uncover the off-the-beaten path food spots of San Francisco.

Happy Eating,

Sidewalk Food Tours of San Francisco

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Activity-Specific Policies

Please review the seller’s policies for this activity. Once tickets are purchased, these are binding.

• Non-refundable, cannot be rescheduled. Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded and cannot be rescheduled because your space is being guaranteed at the event.

• Activity takes place rain or shine. The activity runs regardless of weather conditions. In the rare situation where the seller is forced to cancel the event, ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule to another time (subject to availability).