Shanghai: Dine with a local family for a home-cooked meal
- Eat at a real local family's table — not a restaurant, not a tour. It will be either lunch or dinner (We'll confirm over email)
- All hosts are English-speaking or have English support arranged
- We'll assign the host for you, with an option to change: dumpling-making family, garden Ayi, solo-friendly host and more
- Pre-visit dietary check-in — vegetarian, halal, non-mammalian and more accommodated
- Every meal is cooked fresh from scratch — seasonal ingredients, zero shortcuts
- One of Shanghai's only true home dining experiences — inside a real family home
What to expect
You've eaten at Shanghai's restaurants. Now eat where locals actually eat — at someone's kitchen table.
+1 Chopsticks connect travelers with curated local host families across Shanghai. Each host cooks food their family actually eats — seasonal, fresh, made from scratch. You'll share not only the meal, but their stories, upbringings and tips to go around Shanghai.
Includes: home-cooked meal, tea and water, lots of laughter and interesting cultural exchange (including our proprietary Home Dining Cheat Sheets for Chinese dinner)
We accommodate vegetarian, halal, non-mammalian, and most dietary restrictions.
Not included: Transportation. We'll share full directions by public and private transport — your host will guide you in. That's part of the fun of finding a local residence!
Good to know
Is this a cooking class or a dinner?
This is a home dinner experience, not a cooking class. You’ll meet with locals in their own home, where your host prepares an authentic Chinese meal while you relax, chat, and learn about everyday life in Shanghai. Some hosts also invite you to help fold dumplings before the meal.
Do I need to speak Chinese to meet with locals?
No. All our hosts are English-speaking or have English support arranged, so you can meet with locals and enjoy real conversation without a language barrier.
Is the food authentic Chinese home cooking?
Yes. Every dish is authentic Chinese food made the way local families actually eat at home — not a restaurant version. Recipes are passed down through generations and adapted to what’s fresh and in season.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes. We confirm dietary needs before your visit, including vegetarian, halal, non-mammalian, and most other restrictions, so your authentic Chinese meal still suits your needs.
Is this safe for solo travelers who want to meet locals?
Yes. Many guests travel solo or for business and want a genuine way to meet with locals. Hosts are personally vetted, and you’ll receive full contact details and directions in advance.
What’s included in the price?
A full authentic Chinese home-cooked meal, tea and water, and our Home Dining Cheat Sheets — a short cultural primer sent before your visit to help you meet with locals confidently.
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