[Try This] We Tried One of Shanghai's Long-Standing Food Tours

Editor's Note

Shanghai is a city of ten thousand options and not enough time. So we try stuff – new dishes, new menus, weird little product launches, limited-time things that might be amazing (or not). If it's worth your time, we'll tell you. If it's not, we won't waste your time writing about it. Simple as that. Just look out for the [Try This] tag. It means we did the legwork. You're welcome.

We went to bed last night with a belly full of dumplings, noodles, Shanghainese snacks, and foodie fun-filled memories curated by Lost Plate Food Tours. Whether you're new to the city or want to discover hidden gems in your own backyard, Lost Plate Food Tours takes you through Shanghai's best-kept secrets so you can eat like a local. This is especially great if you've just arrived in Shanghai, whether long-term or for the visa-free transits.

Before we dive into the details, a bit of background:

What is Lost Plate Food Tours?

Lost Plate Food Tours is not your typical tourist experience. The small, passionate team of food lovers has been taking guests off the beaten path to eat shoulder-to-shoulder with locals since 2014. With tours available in Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Lijiang, Suzhou and Xi'an, you can discover China's delicious food, explore authentic neighborhoods, and learn the fascinating stories that make up 5,000 years of culinary history. Be sure to arrive hungry!

What Tours are Available in Shanghai?

In Shanghai, Lost Plate currently offers two distinct tours. Their most popular Evening Food Tour takes guests on a dumpling discovery through xiaolongbao, shengjianbao, and several varieties of wontons, plus Shanghainese noodles and specialty dishes of the region. Or start the day right with the Coffee & Breakfast Tour to discover the most authentic spots in town where you can eat like a true Shanghainese.

What to Expect on the Shanghai Evening Tour

We recently had the opportunity to join Lost Plate's Shanghai Evening Food Tour that features five stops spread over three hours including a xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) institution; a 24/7 Shanghainese diner famous for shengjianbao (pan-fried dumplings), scallion oil noodles, and wontons; a time-honored Shanghainese eatery doling out classic local fare like red braised pork, lotus root and minced pork fried "sandwich," stir-fried eggplant, and other seasonal delights; a dessert shop for mango pomelo sago; and a local beer bar to explore (and of course sample) China's craft beer scene. This well-organized tour is in English with each dish explained in full.

For Shanghai veterans like ourselves, we were surprised to find several local haunts and undiscovered outposts we'd never been to before, as well as learn some historical and cultural facts about the city we call home.

The tour begins at a pre-set meeting point in Xujiahui and ends in the hippest area of the tree-lined city center. Attendees walk 10-15 minutes between each stop, peppered with historical insights from their tour guide, all coupled with free-flow beverages, like local beer, tea, or water. A detour through Shanghai's historic lanehouses, a pop-up to a local fruit shop, and a perusal through a convenience store snack aisle round out the tasty tidbits.

At the end of the tour, guests return home with a China Travel Guide, foodie-themed stickers, a Shanghai-branded clutch and koozie, and a tummy filled with recollections of a night's worth of stellar eating.

Who are the Tours Good For?

Lost Plate Food Tours are ideal for Shanghai visitors and newcomers wanting to get the lay of the land coupled with an immersive dining experience. For those who don't speak Chinese, aren't comfortable ordering at a local spot, or want that extra support navigating the city, this is where Lost Plate comes in handy. For expats who have been living here for a while, Lost Plate provides an opportunity to get to know a new neighborhood and/or niche Shanghainese dishes they may not have ever discovered on their own.

What else does Lost Plate offer?

Aside from food tours, Lost Plate also designs and curates 3-8-day itineraries through China's top destinations – like Guilin and Yangshuo, Ningxia, Yunnan, Chengdu, and Xi'an – and further afield to Cambodia and northern Vietnam so guests can see the best sights while eating the destination's top food. Each tour is completely unique with trained guides who quite possibly love food more than we do.

How to Learn More & Book a Tour

For upcoming tour dates, group discounts and tour booking, visit the website at www.lostplate.com, email info@lostplate.com, or follow the Instagram @lostplatefoodtours.