The Chinese are very serious about their food! Experience one of San Francisco's most popular destinations for visitors by eating your way through it. Enjoy two full meals on this tour, while you learn about America's largest Chinatown.
For food-lovers only!
Chinese culture is rooted in tradition and folklore. Come and be a part of a colorful, exciting, and historic community. Visitors who come here will find wonderful dim sum teahouses, small cafes, and restaurants frequented by locals. Experience Chinatown as a local would; by wandering through the back alleys, restaurants, grocery stores, temples and parks of this historic neighborhood.
On this delectable tour of Chinatown you will experience:
For food-lovers only!
Chinese culture is rooted in tradition and folklore. Come and be a part of a colorful, exciting, and historic community. Visitors who come here will find wonderful dim sum teahouses, small cafes, and restaurants frequented by locals. Experience Chinatown as a local would; by wandering through the back alleys, restaurants, grocery stores, temples and parks of this historic neighborhood.
On this delectable tour of Chinatown you will experience:
- An authentic Chinese breakfast
- Nibbling on dim sum on the street
- A wok shop or hardware store
- Bustling Chinese food markets
- And lastly, a hosted lunch
What Is Not Included?
Gratuity to your tour leader is greatly appreciated. Customarily, this is presented at the end of your time together.
Meeting Location
Financial District, just outside Chinatown (San Francisco, CA)
(Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)
- What time should I arrive for my tour?
- The "I Can't Believe I Ate My Way Through Chinatown!" tour begins promptly at the scheduled start time. Please make sure to arrive 15 minutes early so we can sign everyone in and start the tour on time.
- How far in advance should I book a tour?
- As soon as you have set your plans and you know you would like to attend the tour. This particular tour often sells out, and frequently well in advance, so please make sure to purchase your tickets early, especially if you have limited time availability.
- Is the tip to the tour leader and the restaurant included?
- The gratuity to your tour leader is not included. Consider him/her as you would others in the industry, or as servers in restaurants, cab drivers, etc. You tip them at your discretion, and a good time to do so is after the tour, when you are saying farewell. The tip at the restaurant is included with your tour cost but if a server is extraordinary, s/he will always appreciate a little bonus.
- Is the walking strenuous?
- Not at all. It is a relaxing walk, with many pauses for sampling food and we also "eat dim sum on the street," so it is not strenuous at all (refer to tour descriptions).
- Where does the tour end?
- The tour finishes at the Chinatown restaurant where we eat lunch, and we are always happy to provide directions to your next destination, or lead you to the nearest fitness center after eating so much.
- How many people are in a typical group?
- To ensure that we can provide an intimate experience for all our guests, we limit the size of this exclusive tour to 9 participants. Once in a blue moon, we will tuck in another person or couple, if the rest of the group doesn't mind and "votes them in." Once, we made the #10 and #11 interested parties do a dance for us, and yes, we voted them *in.*
- Is food included in the tour?
- Yes, a traditional Chinese breakfast in one of the oldest and funkiest restaurants in Chinatown is included, as well as dim sum tasting on the street, and then a complete lunch, where your tour leader orders off the Chinese menus hanging on the wall...what IS she ordering? Yum.... Come hungry!
- Is this also a good general sight-seeing tour of Chinatown?
- This tour is about food history in Chinatown, so in a sense, you are learning about the history of the Chinese people through eating food as you meander through the many streets, nooks and crannies, and alleys. Food, anyone?
- What happens if it rains?
- The tour will run rain or shine. Bring an umbrella. Rain does not stop us from eating our way through Chinatown, ;-) However, if a storm lurks, we will call you the night before to cancel and rearrange our tour day.
- Is the tour wheelchair and/or stroller accessible?
- Wheelchairs are welcomed, as long as there is someone to help out. Not recommended for strollers.
- Are gift certificates available for the tour?
- Yes, gift certificates make a great gift for any occasion! If you are interested in purchasing a gift certificate, please contact Wok Wiz by clicking the "Contact WokWiz" link. This tour makes an excellent gift for FOOD LOVERS.
- Can I book a private tour?
- Yes, private tours are available. Wok Wiz provides fantastic private tours and events for incentive groups, schools, etc. If you are interested in booking a private tour, contact Wok Wiz by clicking on the "Contact WokWiz" link.
- What if I have dietary restrictions?
- You should not sign up for this tour. We do not make exceptions to the food that we eat. It will be too distracting to have to make changes....
Wok Wiz Chinatown Tours/Cooking Co
Chef Shirley Fong-Torres, owner of WOK WIZ, designed her tours to showcase one of the most remarkable neighborhoods in Chinatown. Every tour leader on Shirley's team was either born in, or grew up in Chinatown, giving a very local flavor to the tour.
Shirley has been in business for over 20 years, is a former middle and high school teacher, and was a corporate manager for Levi Strauss & Co. She is the author of four books, is a regular guest on the Food Channel, and the History and Discovery Channels, and has been featured in the NY Times, LA Times, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, and Cooking Light.
Shirley has been in business for over 20 years, is a former middle and high school teacher, and was a corporate manager for Levi Strauss & Co. She is the author of four books, is a regular guest on the Food Channel, and the History and Discovery Channels, and has been featured in the NY Times, LA Times, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, and Cooking Light.
