Chinatown "Locals" Food Tour in San Francisco

Eat the Best Chinese Delicacies in San Francisco in a Small Group with a Local Foodie Guide

Travel Flexibly 5 / 5 See All 4 Reviews · 0.00h 12 max · San Francisco, United States

San Francisco's Chinatown can be an overwhelming experience for those visiting due to its plethora of choices. Your expert local guide will show you the best spots and hidden gems in the neighborhood. Try Peking Duck and Moon Cakes from long-standing stalwarts. Visit a fortune cookie factory to see how the tiny treats are made. Have incredible Dim Sum, drink traditional teas and head through local markets on a comprehensive tour through Chinatown. All Food and Drink Included.

Tour Details

Chinatown "Locals" Food Tour in San Francisco

Enjoy a Classic at SF's Oldest Chinese Bakery

Visit Restaurants Handed Down from Generation to Generation

Experience Dim Sum from Scallion Pancakes to Shrimp Dumplings

Explore the Best of Chinatown with a Local Guide
Meet Your Guide at the Chinatown Guide
Enjoy a Classic at SF's Oldest Chinese Bakery
Savor an Authentic Peking Duck

Visit Restaurants Handed Down from Generation to Generation
See How Fortune Cookies Are Made
Experience Dim Sum from Scallion Pancakes to Shrimp Dumplings
Explore the Culture of Chinatown

Did you know that fortune cookies were invented in San Francisco? Visit one of the original fortune cookie factories still making the post dinner treat by hand. With your local foodie guide head through the labyrinth of Chinatown and sample dishes from the best restaurants and hidden gems. Head through the markets and see antiquities and traditional cookery that show the neighborhood's past and present. This 3 hour tour includes:

Maximum Group Size of 8
Local Storytelling Guide
Stops across Chinatown including a Full Lunch
All Food Included
Walking Tour of San Francisco's Chinatown

Meet Your Guide at the Entrance To Chinatown

Your tour begins at the gate to chinatown. Meet your local guide who will explain the history of the Dragon Gate. A gift from Taiwan, the Gate is designed in the style of traditional Chinese pailous.

Head to a Century Old Bakery

Once inside Chinatown, you will head to the city's oldest Chinese bakery. Run by the same family since the 1920's, the bakery is famous for its Moon Cakes along with other Chinese sweets.

Here, you will sample some of these authentic Moon Cakes. Historically eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the cakes are often treated as gifts presented by families to relatives or by businesspeople to their clients. Your guide will explain the symbolism of the cakes and their importance to East Asians cultures.

Visit a Fortune Cookie Factory

The origin story of Fortune Cookies is controversial. Companies across California and even some in China claim that they invented the crunchy sweets filled with a paper message. Your guide will explain some of the theories but no matter who invented the cookie, it is a staple of Chinese restaurants today.

On tour, you will visit one of the only remaining Fortune Cookie factories making the biscuits by hand. See the process up close for an interactive experience not often seen.

Peking Duck, Pork Buns, and Dumplings

Next, your guide will lead you through our favorite spots for Dim Sum and authentic classics. For Peking Duck, head to a family run spot perfect to sample the fried delicacy formerly reserved for royalty.

You will also explore the world of Dim Sum including pork buns, scallion pancakes, and an array of dumplings. You will enjoy a full culinary journey through Chinatown.

Authentic Chinese Tea House

Sit down and relax while you sample savory teas at a local tea house. The owner of the shop will present you with diverse loose leaf teas dried in the traditional way, perfect to sip and ponder.

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Great experience

31 March 2022

Reviewed by
Olivia King

I have been to SF before, but never took a food tour. The process was smooth from the booking, to meeting our foodie guide, to the delicious food. 5 stars all the way around! We had a small group of 5 people and had a great time trying traditional chinese food in chinatown. If you go, try the green tea, it was amazing!

Loved this Tour!

26 January 2022

Reviewed by

We did this as a family holiday activity. Brian was our guide and he was fabulous. He arrived with some super yummy warm buns that were perfect for our rainy chilly start. He shared so many great stories that really brought the history alive. I learned so much about my own city. The food was so good. I loved that we tasted so many different flavors and dishes from different areas of Chinese food. I've been to China town so many times and never knew there was a fortune cookie making store where they still make them by hand. And they are super tasty. What a great day!

A Fantastic Experience

25 January 2022

Reviewed by

This was our first gastro tour and it certainly set the bar high for future food tours! Brian, our host, was very knowledgeable, engaging, and professional. His insights into the history of the area, as well as his genuine desire for us to thoroughly enjoy our experiences made this tour. We experienced Chinese cuisine, a tea tasting, delicious confections, and pizza and wine…. not to mention the great company of our fellow tour guests. Typically we avoid group tours because there is always someone obnoxious in the group. Not this time….. everyone enjoyed each other’s company and this was in part due to Brian’s brilliant hosting skills! The value for the cost of this tour is unparalleled….. truly a DO NOT MISS experience!

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