Wok Wiz Chinatown Tours/Cooking Co

Enjoyed the tour and lunch. Like the opportunity to purchase items, but felt that in some cases it was just a bit too much push. I did this tour about 15 to 18 years ago and remember more behind the scenes, however, this tour was very informative and gave us plenty of chances to experience Chinatown.

Perfect length tour. My group was on a Monday so it was very small but it was much more fun since it was an intimate small group. Our guide grew up in the neighborhood so he had his own stories and insights which was great. The tour went at a comfortable pace and I went into areas that I typically would not on my own. I would recommend this tour if you don't want a ton of history but want to meander through chinatown with a guide with tidbits thrown in of history, how the chinese live today in the neighborhood and a bit about the daily life of the residents.

This was an enjoyable and interesting walking tour of Chinatown. We ventured into a Chinese medicinal herbal shop, a tea shop with sample tasting, small Buddhist temple, fortune cookie factory, wandered through some of the open market areas, and heard alot of fascinating background history from our guide. Our group included 9 people which was really great. The only thing that disappointed us somewhat was the dim sum lunch at the end... the place we ate at was obviously a touristy restaurant as another very large group poured in shortly after we got there. The food was very ordinary and some of it quite greasy. I would have given this tour 5 stars if we had been taken to one of the below ground "authentic" restaurants that the locals frequent to experience some interesting and "real deal" cuisine (and would have even paid a bit more for the tour if that's what would have gotten us there!).

Our tour guide, Dorothy Quock, was wonderful. It doesn't get much better than having a tour guide who was born in Chinatown. She was informative, funny, and very personal. We had seven in our group and she quickly learned our names and something about each one. I would have liked to have gone to an actual outdoor market and visited clothing shops rather than gift and frameshops. This would have provided a more authentic view of Chinatown. Visits to a tea shop and pharmacy, however, were interesting. And the lunch at the Four Seasons was excellent. Overall, an entertaining tour.

Although we could have wondered through Chinatown on our own, our Wok Wiz Tour gave us an insider view of the lives of those who live and work in Chinatown. Our guide, who grew up in Chinatown, gave us her insights into the history of Chinatown and its people, the struggles those same people face, and their reasons for coming to a place where five people may end up living in one room on a full time basis. We saw and discussed the people of Chinatown, their customs, their food, their living arrangements, and their aspirations for the future. We even saw an actual Chinese funeral which, surprisingly enough, reminded me of a New Orleans funeral. I highly recommend this tour and I hope that you get Lola as a tour guide.

I heard far more about the guide than I needed. Also didn't need to be taken into an art store where, I assume, the purpose was to have us buy things. Guide also need to watch the sexism in his comments ("I tell the women about the fabric store and the men about the bar") With a decent guidebook and a good map, could have done this on my own. Left at the half=way point...figured life was too short.

Chinatown bustles! Having a tour guide is essential if you want to really see and understand everything going on around you. Would you know on your own to peek down a staircase through an open door and see men playing Mahjong in their club? The tour guides live or grew up in Chinatown and provide very personal and first hand accounts. Great dim sum for lunch!

San Francisco was as fantastic as I had expected; it was my first and longed for visit. The Chinatown walk was on my list and it did not disappoint. Our guide was informative and amusing in equal quantities. We learnt so much about the history of the area and the city itself, based on the immigration of people from China. The tea shop experience was a relaxing and opened my taste buds to teas very different from those I drink at home. Finishing up with a great lunch (dim sum and a lot more!) made for a very memorable morning.

He went out of his way to describe the history of China Town, showed us how to locate & navigate through the many stores, resturants & businesses not seen from the streets to a passer-by! He even gave us a tour of the area he was raised in & places he use to frequent! The tour was topped off with a very delicious lunch at one of the many resturants in the area. We would definately recomment, & we will take the tour again upon our return! E & B (Louisiana)

This was a great tour led by a great lady...we learned so much about the Chinese contribution to the city of San Francisco, its history, commerce, culture, politics and food...not to be missed!

I would have been lost without the guidance of Emily. She was fantastic, very personable, and knowledgable about the entire area. She made the tour fun and I would reccommend this tour to anybody.

This tour is worthwhile even for frequent San Francisco visitors. We especially enjoyed our guide sharing his personal experiences on growing up in Chinatown. Our next visit to this neighborhood will definitely be made with greater awareness of its interesting history. This area is so much more than a tourist trinket stop, but one that offers unique and useful products and services. We were especially impressed with the educational tea shop stop. Our only regret is waiting so long to take this wonderful tour.

A lot of fun and some great info about the history of Chinatown. Tea sampling and Dim Sum lunch were wonderful.

Loved learning about the historic culture of Chinatown from someone who grew up there! History, food, we learned it all, Lola was able to first hand answer all our questions about the area and culture. I learned so much more than just the food aspect!!

A really interesting and informative tour of Chinatown by a very friendly local guide who grew up in the area. The tour was concluded by a delicious meal and I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting San Francisco.