
Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 17 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama worth booking?
Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama is a 4-hour experience in Shanghai, China, from $199 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 17 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 67 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (17)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $199 per person
Learn how to cook the most healthy and delicious Chinese dishes at a local Shanghai Mama's home. The friendly Shanghai Mama will share her ancient Chinese cooking secret with you, and you will also get hands on experience during cooking process. You are suggested to learn 2 home dishes, like Sauteed Green Beans with Minced Pork and Vegetable, Shanghai Fried noodles with Pakchoi or Shanghai dumplings. After cooking, you will enjoy your own cooked food and your Shanghai Mama will also prepare other delicious food for you. In addition, a local wet market tour is included.
What you get
About this experience
Learn how to cook the most healthy and delicious Chinese dishes at a local Shanghai Mama's home. The friendly Shanghai Mama will share her ancient Chinese cooking secret with you, and you will also get hands on experience during cooking process. You are suggested to learn 2 home dishes, like Sauteed Green Beans with Minced Pork and Vegetable, Shanghai Fried noodles with Pakchoi or Shanghai dumplings. After cooking, you will enjoy your own cooked food and your Shanghai Mama will also prepare other delicious food for you. In addition, a local wet market tour is included.
What's included
Included
- Home cooking class
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Lunch
- Private transfer
- Private professional guide
Not included
- Personal expense
- Gratuities
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- zh-TW, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Shanghai Melody Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Photos



What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 17 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
4 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
17 verified traveler reviews for Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
An unforgettable, authentic experience—a top 5 highlight of my trips to China
Penny and her friends were incredible hosts. The experience started with a convenient hotel pick-up, followed by a fascinating local market tour. At their welcoming home, we enjoyed a traditional tea ceremony, learned to cook ribs, and got hands-on making dumpling dough and fillings from scratch. Eating the variety of food we helped prepare was fantastic. Highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting!
via Tripadvisor
Great experience
My wife and I had a great experience. Penny is super knowledgeable and had many interesting stories and facts to share about Shanghai. The host family made us feel very welcome and taught us how to cook some delicious food. A very unique experience and a great way to experience Shanghai like a local!
via Tripadvisor
Outstanding private cooking experience
Penny was an outstanding guide and cook as was the lovely host family. The tour of the market was vey authentic and the experience in a private home was priceless. The cooking experience with a family felt very special. Highly recommended.
via Tripadvisor
One of the Highlights of Our Trip!
Our dumpling cooking class in Shanghai was hands-down one of the absolute highlights of our family trip! From the moment we were picked up at our hotel, everything was seamless and thoughtfully organized. The market tour was a great introduction — we sampled local snacks and got a glimpse into the ingredients that make Chinese cuisine so special. The real magic, though, happened in the chef’s home. Being welcomed into a local family's apartment gave us a rare and personal peek into daily life in Shanghai. The hands-on cooking experience was both fun and fascinating — we learned how to fold dumplings (not as easy as it looks!), laughed a lot, and probably made and ate way too many dumplings... but every single bite was worth it. It felt more like being hosted by friends than taking a class. We left with full bellies, new skills, and some great memories to bring home. If you're looking for a fun and authentic experience in Shanghai, this is it!
via Tripadvisor
Beyond my expectations!
This was exactly the experience I was looking for! Penny was a wonderful guide and gave me an historical introduction to the area as we drove to the wet market. Penny explained how the Wet Market works and she bought a vegetable I did not know for me to try. From there we went to Kelly’s home where we met the Shanghai Grandmother who, with incredible expertise, showed me how to make dumplings as another, delicious pork dish, cooked on the stove! I absolutely loved the entire evening and experience and will make dumplings when I get home, although it may take me half a day to make enough to eat! I came away with videos and photos to help my future dumpling making, new friends and a whole new respect for what goes into making the ‘simple’ dumpling. If you want a real experience of life in Shanghai/China, participate in this course. I highly recommend it!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $199 to $314
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Shanghai Melody Tours, who run 19 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.5.
See everything Shanghai Melody Tours runsWhy this scores 67
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Shanghai.
How much does Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama cost?
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Prices start at $199 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Shanghai usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Shanghai is not rushed.
Is Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 17 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Shanghai, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama?
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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Shanghai can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Shanghai and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Shanghai within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Shanghai?
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On Outty we rank every Shanghai experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights, Full-Day Private Guided Tour of Shanghai, Shanghai City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama?
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Included: Home cooking class; Hotel pickup and drop-off; Bottled water; Snacks; and Lunch. Not included: Personal expense; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 1720 listed pickup locations in and around Shanghai.
What languages is Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama offered in?
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It is offered in Chinese and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Shanghai. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Private Home Cooking Class with Shanghai Mama?
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Across 17 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, good for families. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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