Private Cooking Class: Make Your Own Dim Sum In Shanghai

Dim sum becomes personal fast in Shanghai. I love the hands-on pace of this private cooking class—you’re not just watching, you’re shaping, cooking, and tasting with an instructor right beside you. It’s set in the French Concession, so the whole experience feels like Shanghai with extra flavor.

Two things I especially like: you choose two items from a real dim sum menu, and your chef, Mike, gives focused help in solid English. The only real catch is that the kitchen can be a bit tricky to spot from the street—so give yourself a few minutes to find the right entrance and you’ll be fine.

Key things to know before you book

• Pick exactly two dishes from the menu, so you leave with skills you’ll actually use
• Everything for cooking is included, from equipment and ingredients to step-by-step guidance
• Private means private attention from Mike, including time to ask technique questions
• You eat your own dim sum meal afterward, so the class doesn’t end when the cooking ends
• Vegetarian options are possible if you request it during booking
• All-weather operation means you can plan around Shanghai weather without stress

Cooking Dim Sum in Shanghai’s French Concession

Shanghai’s food scene is famous for its variety, but dim sum has a special pull: small bites, lots of technique, and a mix of savory and sweet that keeps you sampling. This class is built around that idea. Instead of doing a generic “Chinese cooking” session, you focus on dim sum—dumplings, spring-roll style snacks, and even sweet soup options from the menu.

The location matters too. The French Concession is a great area to base yourself during a trip because it’s full of neighborhoods you can walk through between activities. This is a short, 2-hour experience, so it works well as an early food day highlight or as something you do before dinner so you’re still hungry for what comes next.

One more practical detail I’d watch: there’s no hotel pickup and drop-off listed. You’ll want to plan your own route to the meeting point on Moganshan Road and arrive a few minutes early. Also, public transit is nearby, which helps if you’re figuring out Shanghai by metro and foot.

What You’ll Make: Choose Two Dim Sum Items

At booking time, you’ll advise which two dishes you want to learn. That choice is the whole backbone of the class, and it’s why it feels more valuable than a one-size-fits-all cooking session.

Here are the options you can choose from:

• Shrimp Dumpling
• Goldfish Dumpling
• Four Happiness Dumpling
• Sui Mai
• Xiaolongbao (steamed pork dumplings with soup)
• Big Wonton
• Leaf Bun
• Fried Bun
• Egg Roll
• Sesame Ball
• Red bean paste sweet soup
• Coconut sago sweet soup

The “two bite-size treats” format keeps things realistic for a 2-hour class. You’re not trying to conquer ten recipes. Instead, you focus on a couple of techniques and learn how they come together. If you pick one savory and one sweet, you’ll get a balanced meal out of it.

If you prefer vegetarian food, you can request a vegetarian option when booking. That’s a big plus in a cooking class, because it means the instructor can plan the ingredient approach ahead of time rather than giving you an awkward workaround on the spot.

Inside the Kitchen: How the 2-Hour Private Class Works

The class is about 2 hours long at a set start time of 10:00 am, and it ends back at the meeting point. You’ll spend the time in a fun kitchen setting tied to the Chinese Cooking Workshop.

Even with just one stop on the schedule, the experience has clear phases:

• You get set up with the kitchen setup and cooking materials
• You follow along with detailed instruction from the instructor
• You cook and assemble your chosen dim sum items
• You eat what you made as your hand-made meal

The real win is the “private” format. This isn’t a crowded cooking demo where you’re stuck watching while someone else handles the tools. You’ll have Mike’s attention, and he’s patient enough to work through questions as they come up. One review noted the value of having time to question techniques—this is exactly the kind of detail that helps if you’ve ever tried recreating food from videos at home and wondered why it never quite works.

You’ll also get what sounds like a working chef’s teaching style: clear explanations, not rushed, and a sense of humor. That matters because dim sum technique can feel fussy. When someone explains it well, and then watches you do it, it clicks faster.

One small note: the kitchen setup is described as more industrial than charming-and-romantic. That’s not a downside for most people. It often means the tools and process are practical and efficient, which is great for learning quickly.

Why This Class Feels More Useful Than a Food Tour

Shanghai has lots of food experiences, but cooking classes have a different payoff. With this one, you’re building muscle memory for steps like forming dumpling shapes and assembling snack dough and fillings (based on what you choose). Even if you don’t become a dumpling pro, you’ll understand what makes dim sum taste right.

I also like the flexibility built into the menu. You can choose what you actually want to eat later when you’re scanning restaurants or markets. Want steamed soup dumplings? Pick Xiaolongbao. Prefer crispy comfort? Choose an Egg Roll or something fried like Fried Bun. Want to end with dessert? Go for one of the sweet soups like Red bean paste or Coconut sago sweet soup.

And because it’s private, you don’t have to guess what you’re doing. If something seems off—how the dough should look, how the filling should be portioned, how the shape affects the final result—you can ask. That’s hard to do in most group experiences.

Price and Value: Is $88 a Good Deal?

$88 per person for a 2-hour private class might sound “reasonable” until you compare it to what you get: the instructor, equipment, ingredients, and your own finished meal. You’re paying for coaching and a complete food outcome, not just a taste.

A few things make it strong value:

• You’re learning two dishes you choose, so the time is tailored
• Ingredients and cooking equipment are provided
• You eat the results, so there’s no extra bill for dinner included with your class

Also, group discounts can apply, which helps if you’re traveling with friends or family and can bundle the cost. One more practical point: it’s commonly booked about 9 days in advance on average, so if you have a tight schedule, don’t wait until the last minute.

If you’re someone who likes to take home skills, this is one of the better ways to spend a travel day on food. You’ll leave with more than memories—you’ll leave with the steps you need to try it again later.

Getting There and Knowing What to Expect

The meeting point is Moganshan Road (Mo Gan Shan Lu), Pu Tuo Qu. The experience ends back at the meeting point, so it’s easy to continue your day afterward—grab coffee nearby, stroll the neighborhood, or head to dinner when you’re ready.

You’ll want to keep an eye on one logistical detail: the kitchen location can be tricky to find from the street, with not many signs. That’s the kind of thing that creates stress when you’re hungry. Plan for it by arriving a few minutes early and walking slowly when you’re near the address.

The class runs in all weather conditions, so you can rely on it even if Shanghai has a rainy day. Just dress appropriately for walking and commuting before your start time.

Who This Dim Sum Class Is Best For

This is a great choice if you want a focused food experience with a real instructor. It’s especially good for:

• Couples or families who want private attention
• Travelers who like hands-on learning more than restaurant hopping
• People who enjoy dim sum flavors and want to recreate the techniques

If you’re traveling with kids, it can work well too—children must be accompanied by an adult, and children under 2 join for free. Adult pricing applies from age 3, so it’s worth considering your group ages when you estimate total cost.

Should You Book This Dim Sum Class?

If you want a practical Shanghai food memory—one where you come home knowing how to make dim sum pieces yourself—this is an easy yes. The private format, the included ingredients and equipment, and the chance to choose two specific dishes make it feel efficient and personal. It’s also a smart “early trip” activity if you want to understand what you’re eating later on.

Skip it only if you prefer watching food rather than cooking it. If you’re looking for a relaxed dinner outing with no kitchen time, a dim sum tasting might fit better. But if you’re up for 2 hours of shaping, learning, and eating your own handiwork, book it.

FAQ

How long is the dim sum cooking class?

The class runs for about 2 hours.

What time does the class start?

The start time listed is 10:00 am.

How many dim sum items do I choose?

You pick two dim sum items from the menu when you book.

What dim sum dishes are available to choose from?

The menu includes shrimp dumpling, goldfish dumpling, four happiness dumpling, sui mai, xiaolongbao, big wonton, leaf bun, fried bun, egg roll, sesame ball, red bean paste sweet soup, and coconut sago sweet soup.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. Vegetarian option is available if you request it at the time of booking.

Is this a private class?

Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Where does the class meet?

The meeting point is on Moganshan Road (Mo Gan Shan Lu) in Pu Tuo Qu, Shanghai.

What is included in the price?

Included items are the dim sum cooking class, cooking equipment, a professional instructor, and your hand-made dim sum meal.

What if plans change and I need to cancel?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.