Shanghai Alley Noodle & Wonton Food Tour with Local Beer

Summary

Hidden Food Gems in Shanghai’s French Concession

If you want to taste real Shanghai—no tourist traps, just honest bowls of noodles and wontons—this tour is for you. You’ll eat where locals eat, hear stories from someone who grew up here, and maybe find your new favorite alleyway snack.

What’s the experience like?

It’s a little before noon when I step out of Huangpi Road Station, the air thick with that mix of city bustle and something savory drifting from nearby kitchens. Our guide, a born-and-raised Shanghainese foodie, waves us over with a grin—she’s already holding a steaming cup of soy milk for the early birds. We duck into the maze behind Huaihai Road, where laundry flaps overhead and scooters zip by. Dingtele is tucked away so well you’d miss it if you blinked. Inside, bowls of noodles arrive fast: hand-pulled strands tangled with scallion oil or slicked in sesame paste, topped with crispy schnitzel or sweet braised pork. The mushrooms here have this earthy smell that lingers on your fingers. Locals chat over their lunch break; nobody seems in a rush.

We wander down Changle Road next—fifteen minutes or so, but it’s easy to lose track watching office workers balancing takeaway boxes and retired neighbors haggling over vegetables at street stalls. There’s always someone playing mahjong just out of sight, tiles clacking against old wooden tables. Our guide points out her favorite snack stand (the fried dough sticks are apparently legendary after midnight). She shares stories about growing up nearby—how noodle shops used to close for an hour every afternoon “just because.”

The last stop sits right off South Shan’xi Road. It’s more like a window than a restaurant, but the wontons are worth squeezing onto a plastic stool for. Here you pick: shrimp-stuffed pillows floating in beef broth or veggie-and-pork bundles in clear soup. The difference between small and large wontons? Only locals debate it this seriously. If you’re on the afternoon tour, there’s cold local beer to wash everything down—otherwise, the soy milk does just fine. By now my shirt smells faintly of scallion and broth; I’m not mad about it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Shanghai Foodie Alleys

• Visit Dingtele restaurant for noodles
• Stroll along Changle Road
• Experience local lunch atmosphere
• Enjoy various wontons at South Shan'xi road

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for vegetarians?

Yes! Just let us know when booking and we’ll make sure vegetarian options are included at each stop.

What if it rains during the tour?

No worries—the tour runs rain or shine! Most stops are indoors or covered, but bring an umbrella just in case.

Can kids join this food walk?

Absolutely! Kids are welcome as long as they’re with an adult. There’s plenty for them to try too.

I don’t drink alcohol—can I still join?

Of course! If you prefer not to have beer, we’ll offer soy milk instead (especially on morning tours).

What’s included

Your ticket covers all noodle and wonton tastings at three different local restaurants, drinks (local beer or soy milk), plus your friendly Shanghai guide who knows every shortcut through these alleys.