Chinatown Local Food Tour in San Francisco

Taste your way around Chinatown’s lively streets, markets, and hidden gems with a local foodie guid

Travel Flexibly 5 / 5 See All 11 Reviews · 0.00h · San Francisco, United States

Want to explore the flavors of San Francisco’s Chinatown but not sure where to start? Our local foodie guides are here to help! Join a small group of food-loving travelers to discover the labyrinth of alleyways and markets that make up this vibrant neighborhood, and enjoy authentic dishes and flavors from the spots that the locals just love. You’ll even visit a fortune cookie factory! From Dim Sum to Peking Duck to Chinese tea and Moon Cakes, taste the very best that Chinatown has to offer.

  • Discover Chinatown with your foodie guide
  • Enter through the Dragon Gate
  • Moon cakes at a century-old bakery
  • Visit restaurants handed down through generations
  • Indulge in authentic Dim Sum
  • See how fortune cookies are made
  • Savor an authentic Peking Duck
  • Explore the culture of Chinatown

You'll begin your Chinatown discovery at the Dragon Gate entrance, where your friendly foodie guide will be ready to greet you and rest of your small group. As you begin to explore to vibrant streets, alleyways, and markets of the neighborhood, your guide will explain some of the history of North America's oldest Chinatown, and it won't be long before your food-tasting journey begins.

Over the next few hours you'll try moon cakes from a century-old bakery, enjoy a tea tasting experience at a favorite local hangout, savor delicious Chinese snacks from pork buns to Sui Mai and Dim Sum, and sit down for a perfectly-made Peking Duck meal in one of the neighborhood's most beloved restaurants. Along the way, stroll through lively Stockton Street and visit one of the last remaining fortune cookie factories!

San Francisco Chinatown Food Tour Description

Your 3-hour Chinatown tour includes:

  • Guided walking tour of the lively Chinatown neighborhood

  • A variety of delicious local food and drink stops

  • Sit-down meal with Peking Duck

  • All food and non-alcoholic drinks included

  • Visit one of the last fortune cookie factories

  • A passionate local foodie guide

  • Maximum group size of 12

Meet Your Guide at the Entrance To Chinatown

Your tour begins at an easy-to-find location at the entrance to Chinatownthe Dragon Gate. A gift from Taiwan, the gate is designed in the style of traditional Chinese pailous. Your local foodie guide will be waiting for you here, and as you begin to explore Chinatown they'll explain the history of this enchanting part of San Francisco.

Head to a Century-Old Bakery

Once inside Chinatown, you'll head to the city's oldest Chinese bakery. Run by the same family since the 1920s, the bakery is famous for its moon cakes along with other Chinese sweets like the popular coffee crunch cake.

Historically eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival, moon cakes are often treated as gifts presented by families to relatives or by business people to their clients. Your guide will explain the symbolism of the cakes and their importance to East Asians cultures, and you'll get to try a selection too, of course!

Sip Local Favorites at a Chinese Tea House

Sit down and relax for a while as you sample savory teas at a local tea house, curated by a true expert. The owner of the shop will present you with a selection of loose leaf Chinese teas dried in the traditional way. It's a perfect place to sip and ponder the feast that lies ahead.

Sui Mai, Pork Buns, and Dumplings

As you stroll through the streets, alleyways, and bustling markets of Chinatown, your guide will lead you to some of our favorite spots for dim sum and authentic classics.

BBQ pork buns, sui mai, rice cakes, scallion pancakes, shrimp dumplings, and more—you'll try the snacks that keep Chinatown moving!

Visit a Fortune Cookie Factory

Did you know that fortune cookies were invented in San Francisco? Many people believe they were, although 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 your tour, you'll 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.

Delicious Peking Duck

It's not just snacks on this Chinatown food tour, you'll also have a hearty and authentic sit-down meal to make sure you don't leave the tour hungry! Get to know your group a little better as you enjoy tasty Chinese favorites like Peking Duck, sesame balls, and potstickers, with a cup of tea to wash things down.

What you get with this tour
Guided walking tour of the lively Chinatown neighborhood
A variety of delicious local food and drink stops
Sit-down meal with Peking Duck
All food and non-alcoholic drinks included
Visit one of the last fortune cookie factories
A passionate local foodie guide
Maximum group size of 12
Tripadvisor Logo

See what people are saying

11 total reviews

Leave a review
5.0/5 (based on 11 reviews)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 stars
Amazing history filled tour
23 June 2023
K
Reviewed by
Katrina King

We loved this small group tour. Scott our tour guide was knowledgeable about the city and the food in Chinatown. We visited some excellent venues that we would not have found ourselves- and there was plenty of food!

12 June 2023
E
Reviewed by
Elizabeth williams

23 April 2023
J
Reviewed by
Jennifer Slavik

Great tour Great guide we really enjoyed the tour.

show more reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

Some comfortable shoes and a healthy appetite!

What to bring?

Some comfortable shoes and a healthy appetite!

Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?

No, it's run by one of our trusted and vetted partners in San Francisco. They're a specialist local tour company who we know uphold our high standards.

Is this tour suitable for kids?

Sure, if your kids like their food then they'll love Chinatown!

What if I'm vegetarian or vegan?

No problem! Just let us know in advance so we can make the arrangements.

What if I have other dietary needs?

Just get in touch after booking so we can make sure your dietary needs can be catered for.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour covers about 8-10 city blocks with some slight inclines on hills.

Are drinks included?

As well as the food, non-alcoholic drinks are also included.

Start From: $74.00

available days discounted days

Free 24-hr cancellation on group tours! Learn more

Reserve Now $74.00 / per person
$74.00 / per person
You may also like
Guided Tour

Guided Tour

San Francisco in a Half Day by Electric Bike

Ride through the city highlights from Golden Gate Park to Mission District and the Painted Ladies

New Tour

New Tour

San Francisco in a Day Tour with Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz

Spend the day exploring the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Haight-Ashbury, and more with a fun guide

Guided Tour

Guided Tour

North Beach Local Food Tour in San Francisco

Join a passionate local guide to explore culinary traditions in San Francisco's vibrant Little Italy

New Tour

New Tour

Marin Seaplane Tour with Muir Woods, Sausalito, and Picnic Lunch

Spend a morning among towering redwoods then fly over San Francisco Bay on the ultimate VIP day trip

New Tour

New Tour

Yosemite in a Day Tour from San Francisco

See the redwoods, Bridalveil and Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome and more on an epic day trip!

New Tour

New Tour

Redwoods, California Coast & Sausalito Day Trip from San Francisco

Leave the city behind to explore ancient forests and picturesque towns on the Pacific Coast Highway

New Tour

New Tour

The Great Wine Tour of Sonoma from San Francisco

Get the real California wine experience with tastings and tours at three boutique Sonoma vineyards

New Tour

New Tour

Redwoods and Wine Country Day Trip from San Francisco

Gaze in awe at 300-foot, 1,000-year-old redwoods and sip wines in Russian River Valley in just a day