Can I join the tour if I’m vegetarian?

Yes, the tour can accommodate vegetarian, dairy-free, and no-spicy diets if informed at booking, but vegan and gluten-free diets cannot be supported.

How much walking is involved?

The tour covers approximately 2 kilometers with about 5-10 minute walks between five stops, suitable for most fitness levels.

What kinds of food will I try?

You’ll enjoy at least ten dishes featuring Shanghai classics like soup dumplings, scallion noodles, pork belly, and local desserts.

Is alcohol included in the tour?

Yes, unlimited local beer and soft drinks are included, with a visit to a craft beer taphouse to conclude the evening.

What if it rains during the tour?

Tours operate rain or shine; bring an umbrella or rain jacket. In cases of extreme weather, tours may be canceled with a full refund.

How many people are in each group?

Group sizes are limited to a maximum of 12 people, ensuring a personalized and comfortable experience.

Shanghai Food Tour Highlights with Lost Plate Food Tours | City Tour | Guided Tour

Shanghai’s French Concession serves as the backdrop for Lost Plate Food Tours’ expertly crafted Shanghai Evening Food Tour, a vibrant journey through culinary corners often missed by the casual visitor. The French Concession, once a hub of foreign influence during the early 20th century, now pulses with a blend of leafy quiet streets and bustling eateries, preserving a unique local food heritage known as Benbang cuisine.

This 3.5-hour walking tour begins near Jing’an Temple Subway Station, guiding small groups through authentic neighborhood spots tucked away from tourist hubs. Guests sample at least ten dishes, starting with Shanghai’s iconic xiaolongbao—delicate soup dumplings that industry insiders say reveal their true quality in subtle ways. Alongside these are rich, slow-cooked pork belly plates, a Shanghai staple that demands hours of preparation to perfect.

The itinerary covers a range of traditional dishes with local twists, from scallion noodles garnished with crispy green onions to pan-fried buns recognized as Local Intangible Cultural Heritage. Each stop offers an intimate look at a cuisine defined by local ingredients, meticulous technique, and subtle flavors that contrast sharply with more commercialized Shanghai fare.

As the evening progresses, the tour concludes at a hidden craft beer taphouse near South Shaanxi Road Subway Station, merging tradition with Shanghai’s burgeoning modern craft beer scene. This blend of food, culture, and community spirit offers an immersive snapshot of a metropolis wrestling with its past and present.

Lost Plate Food Tours stands out by focusing exclusively on authentic, insider experiences that illuminate Shanghai’s rich culinary identity in a way few other tours can. This food tour is essential for adventurous diners seeking a meaningful connection to the deep-rooted foodways shaping China’s largest city today.

About Lost Plate Food Tours

Lost Plate Food Tours is a Portland, Oregon–based company that curates immersive food tours and culinary experiences across Asia. The company offers guided market visits, cooking classes, evening food tours by tuktuk, full-day cultural trips, and multi-day culinary adventures in destinations such as Xi’an, Beijing, Shanghai, Lijiang, Yunnan, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Yangshuo, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap.

Tours include signature experiences such as a Xian full-day Terracotta Warrior, City Wall & Evening Food Tour; Phnom Penh and Siem Reap evening tuktuk food tours; Shanghai evening food tours in the French Concession; Lijiang cooking classes with local Naxi families; and Beijing hutong breakfast food tours. Offerings range from short evening walks sampling street food to longer itineraries like a six-day exploration of Yunnan’s Tibetan region and multi-day trips in Xi’an and northern Vietnam.

Lost Plate Food Tours emphasizes authentic local cuisine, small-group formats, knowledgeable local guides, and hands-on experiences like market shopping and traditional cooking. Many tours feature tuktuk rides, visits to historic sites such as the Terracotta Warriors or Angkor Wat, and opportunities to taste regional specialties including soup dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, clay pot rice noodles, and slow-roasted ribs.

With a program centered on culinary discovery and cultural context, Lost Plate Food Tours serves travelers seeking food-focused exploration in Asia while operating from a Portland, Oregon base. Programs are available as evening walks, morning market visits, full-day cultural excursions, and extended multi-day itineraries with comfortable accommodations and small groups focused on culinary learning and cultural immersion and hands-on storytelling elements.