Private Cooking Class: Make Your Own Dim Sum In Shanghai

The best part of this Shanghai experience is that you do not just eat dim sum, you learn how to shape it yourself. In a private, two-hour class, you choose two dishes from a generous menu, then work with a chef to make them from start to finish.

I like the full attention that comes with a private class, especially when you are learning delicate folds for xiaolongbao or goldfish dumplings. I also like that your meal is made by you, not handed over as a finished plate. The main consideration is the price, $88 per person, which makes the class best for people who value instruction and a hands-on meal rather than a quick cooking demonstration.

Key points to know before booking

• Choose two dishes in advance: Options include shrimp dumplings, xiaolongbao, sui mai, egg rolls, sesame balls, and sweet soups.
• Private instruction: Only your own group takes part, so you can ask questions and work at a comfortable pace.
• Two hours in a Shanghai cooking kitchen: The class is held in a fun kitchen setting, with equipment and ingredients supplied.
• Chef Mike may be your instructor: He is praised for clear English, patience, humor, and careful explanations.
• You eat what you make: Your handmade dim sum becomes the meal at the end of class.
• Check the meeting details carefully: The class is described as being in Shanghai’s French Concession, while the listed meeting point is on Moganshan Road.

Why making dim sum beats only eating it

Shanghai is an easy city in which to eat well. You can find dumplings, buns, egg rolls, and sweet treats all over town. Yet eating a basket of finished dim sum tells you little about the work behind it.

This class gives you the useful part of the experience: you handle the dough, fillings, folds, and cooking steps yourself. You also get the chance to ask why a dumpling is shaped a certain way, how soup stays inside a xiaolongbao, or what makes an egg roll crisp.

That practical contact is valuable if you enjoy food beyond the plate. You may not leave ready to run a dim sum restaurant, but you will understand the techniques far better than you would from watching a short demonstration.

The setting is a private cooking kitchen, and all equipment and ingredients are included. That keeps the class simple for you. You do not need to shop for supplies, bring tools, or worry about finding a suitable kitchen during your stay.

The class also works well as a break from sightseeing. Two hours is long enough to learn, cook, and eat, but short enough to fit around other plans in Shanghai.

Starting at the Shanghai cooking kitchen

The stated start time is 10:00 a.m., though you can request a morning, afternoon, or evening class when booking. That flexibility helps if you are arranging the class around jet lag, a museum visit, or a full day in the city.

The meeting information lists Moganshan Road, Mo Gan Shan Lu, in Putuo District. Elsewhere, the kitchen is described as being in Shanghai’s French Concession. Since those are different areas, I would confirm the exact address and meeting instructions before setting out.

This is worth doing because the cooking room can be tricky to spot from the street. There are not many signs, so allow time to locate the entrance rather than arriving at the last minute. The kitchen itself is described as having an industrial-style setup, which suits a hands-on cooking lesson better than a polished restaurant dining room.

The location is near public transportation, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You will need to make your own way there and return afterward. That is standard for a short city class, but it matters if you are staying far from the meeting point or traveling with young children.

Picking two dishes from a wide menu

Before the class, you need to tell the chef which two dishes you want to learn. This is not a small choice. The menu covers savory dumplings, buns, fried items, and desserts, so your best combination depends on what you want to take away from the lesson.

Your choices include:

• Shrimp dumpling
• Goldfish dumpling
• Four Happiness dumpling
• Sui mai
• Xiaolongbao, the steamed pork dumpling with soup
• Big wonton
• Leaf bun
• Fried bun
• Egg roll
• Sesame ball
• Red bean paste sweet soup
• Coconut sago sweet soup

If you want classic Shanghai technique, xiaolongbao is the obvious challenge. Its soup-filled center makes shaping and handling important, and it is a dish many people want to understand after eating it around the city.

For a more varied class, pair a savory dumpling with egg rolls or a dessert. Shrimp dumplings and sesame balls, for example, give you two very different kinds of work. A family might prefer egg rolls and fried buns because they are approachable and fun to assemble.

Ask the chef for guidance if you are undecided. You should also give your choices at booking, rather than waiting until class day. The provider specifically asks for your two selections ahead of time.

Learning with a private chef

The private format is the strongest reason to choose this activity instead of a larger group class. Only your group participates, so the chef can watch your hands, correct a fold, repeat a step, or answer a question without stopping for a room full of strangers.

That matters with dim sum. Small changes in how you seal a dumpling or place a filling can affect the final result. In a private class, you have room to make mistakes without feeling rushed.

Chef Mike is named in the feedback and is praised for speaking excellent English, explaining clearly, and staying patient. One especially useful detail is that he did not hurry a teenager who was struggling with a measurement exercise. That suggests a good fit for families and for people who do not think of themselves as natural cooks.

You can also use the class to ask about techniques you have tried to learn elsewhere. One participant had attempted dim sum recipes through online videos and found it much easier to ask questions with the chef directly beside them. That is the real advantage of live instruction: you can solve the small problems that a video cannot see.

The food history adds another layer. The chef explains the dishes as you work, helping connect the recipe to the wider food culture of China. The class is not presented as a formal lecture, so expect the history to come through conversation and cooking rather than a long sit-down talk.

From dough and filling to finished dim sum

The exact order of the lesson can vary depending on your two dishes, but the structure is straightforward. You receive the equipment, ingredients, and instruction needed to prepare the selected items.

For dumplings, you should expect the most attention to go toward forming and sealing. The shapes are part of the fun. Goldfish dumplings and Four Happiness dumplings are more decorative than basic folded parcels, while xiaolongbao requires care because of its soup filling.

Sui mai and shrimp dumplings offer another kind of practice. Their open or translucent forms can look simple, but getting a neat shape takes guidance. This is where the private setting earns its keep. The chef can show you the motion slowly and then watch you repeat it.

Egg rolls and fried buns provide a different pace. They are useful choices if you prefer a more familiar format or want a dish that feels less delicate. The menu also includes leaf buns, big wontons, and sweet items, giving you plenty of room to match the class to your interests.

The experience is not only about appearance. You are learning how the ingredients come together and how the finished items are cooked. The result may not look restaurant-perfect on your first attempt, but that is part of the appeal. You get a meal that shows your own progress.

Sitting down to eat what you made

Your handmade dim sum is included, so the class ends with a proper meal rather than a few samples. This is important when judging the $88 price. You are paying for private instruction, kitchen use, ingredients, equipment, and the food you prepare.

The amount of food is not specified, so I would not book this expecting a giant banquet. Still, the class is designed to produce enough of your chosen dishes for you to eat afterward. One useful comment describes the result as plenty of food, which suggests the meal is more than a token taste.

Eating at the end also gives you a chance to assess the techniques. You can see which folds held, how the texture turned out, and what you might change next time. That makes the class more memorable than a meal where every dish arrives perfect and anonymous.

If you have dietary needs, request the vegetarian option when booking. The provided details do not list specific vegetarian dishes, so ask which two choices can be adapted before you confirm.

Is $88 a good value?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to eat dim sum in Shanghai. If your only goal is to fill up on dumplings, local restaurants and food stalls will cost far less.

The value improves if you want a private lesson, a chef’s help, and a meal you make yourself. A private cooking class also lets you choose the dishes instead of following a fixed menu. That choice is useful if xiaolongbao is your main reason for booking or if you want to focus on vegetarian cooking.

The price is especially reasonable for a small family group that would benefit from patient instruction. Children under two join free, while adult pricing applies from age three. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the private setup means your family does not have to keep pace with a larger class.

Group discounts are available, though the amount is not specified. Check the final price for your group before booking. Since the class averages being booked nine days ahead, you should not leave it until the last moment if your Shanghai schedule is fixed.

Who will enjoy this class most

I would choose this experience if you fit one of these profiles:

• You want to learn a Chinese dish you can attempt at home.
• You enjoy food culture and like asking practical questions.
• You are traveling with children or a teenager who needs patient guidance.
• You prefer a private activity to a large group demonstration.
• You want to understand xiaolongbao, dumpling folds, or egg-roll technique.
• You need a short indoor activity that works in any weather.

It is less suitable if you want a market tour, a restaurant crawl, or a full-day cultural program. The class stays focused on cooking two items. You will not get hotel transfers, a broad tour of Shanghai, or a long tasting itinerary.

It is also not the best pick for someone who dislikes hands-on work. You are expected to participate, not simply watch the chef prepare food for you.

Timing, children, and practical details

The class lasts about two hours and operates in all weather. Dress appropriately for the conditions outside, and wear clothes you can cook in comfortably.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. Because transport is not included, public transportation is the practical choice if it suits your location. Confirm the exact kitchen address, especially because the supplied location details refer both to Moganshan Road and the French Concession.

You receive confirmation when booking. Tell the provider your preferred time of day and your two dishes at that stage. If you need vegetarian food, mention it then as well.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refundable, so keep that deadline in mind when fixing your Shanghai plans.

Should you book the dim sum class?

Book it if you want to do more than eat Shanghai’s famous dumplings. The private format, patient teaching, and choice of two dishes give this class a clear purpose, and the handmade meal makes the experience feel complete.

I would put it early in a Shanghai visit, especially if you also plan to eat widely around the city. Learning how dumplings and buns are made can sharpen your eye at later meals, and you may leave with recipes and techniques worth trying at home.

The main cautions are the $88 price, the lack of hotel transport, and the need to confirm the exact meeting address. If those points work for you, this is a friendly, focused way to turn a favorite Chinese food into a skill you can carry home.

FAQ

How long does the private dim sum class last?

The class lasts approximately two hours.

How many dim sum dishes can I choose?

You choose two dim sum items from the provided menu and should tell the chef your choices when booking.

Is the class private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is the food included?

Yes. Your handmade dim sum meal is included, along with the cooking equipment, ingredients, and instruction.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The activity begins and ends at the meeting point.

Can children join the class?

Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children under two can join free, and adult pricing applies to everyone age three and older.