Private Chinese Wok Cooking Class in Shanghai: Make Three Dishes

Learn to stir-fry kung pao chicken and Shanghai noodles, then taste what you made

A private 2-hour wok cooking class in Shanghai where you make three home-style and restaurant dishes (kung pao chicken, Shanghai stir-fried noodles, and sweet and sour pork) under instruction from a professional chef, then share the meal together. The class includes all ingredients, equipment and step-by-step guidance. A live guide teaches in Chinese. Morning and afternoon departures are available.

The experience

How do you actually learn to use a wok instead of just watching someone else do it? You book a time slot (10am or 2pm), and spend two hours at a cooking studio in Shanghai making the dishes yourself. A professional chef walks you through each step: how to heat the wok, when to add the oil, how to move the ingredients so they cook evenly instead of burning. You handle the wok. You season the food. The instructor is there to correct your grip or show you the angle, but the work is yours.

The three dishes you prepare are kung pao chicken, Shanghai stir-fried noodles, and sweet and sour pork: recipes that work at home and in restaurants. You learn why the order of ingredients matters, what soy sauce and sesame oil and rice vinegar actually do, and how Chinese cooking balances flavors and textures according to principles like yin and yang. The studio provides everything: the wok, the utensils, the fresh ingredients, the seasonings. Beginners follow the same step-by-step instructions as anyone else, so there's no assumed skill.

Once the three dishes are cooked and plated, you sit down with your instructor and eat. This is not a rushed tasting. You share the meal informally, and the conversation often turns to Chinese food culture and customs. The whole experience, from your arrival to the last bite, takes two hours.

What’s included

• All cooking equipment and ingredients.
• professional instruction from a live chef.
• the three dishes you prepare.
• lunch shared with your instructor.
• step-by-step guidance suited to beginners.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideChinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Shanghai Pathways

Is this one for you?Choose the morning class if you want the rest of your day free after lunch, or the afternoon slot if you prefer to explore Shanghai first. Both departures are the same length and cover the same three dishes, so the choice is yours based on how you want to structure your day.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What three dishes do I actually cook in this class?

You make kung pao chicken, Shanghai stir-fried noodles, and sweet and sour pork. All three are home-style recipes and restaurant classics, and you prepare each one from start to finish using a wok.

Do I need cooking experience to join this class?

No. The chef teaches step by step, and beginners follow the same instructions as anyone else. You learn how to use the wok, how to time the ingredients, and how to season as you go.

What time does the class start, and can I choose?

You pick either the 10am or 2pm departure when you book. Both are two hours long and include the same three dishes and the meal at the end.

Is the meal included, or do I pay extra for lunch?

Lunch is included. After you finish cooking, you sit down with your instructor and eat the three dishes you've made together.

What language does the instructor speak?

The chef teaches in Chinese. Step-by-step instruction and hands-on practice help you follow along regardless of language background.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the studio?

Yes. The studio is in Shanghai with public transportation options nearby. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included with this class.