Shenzhen Food Tour with Locals: Hidden Neighbourhood Gems

Taste what locals eat, guided through the neighbourhoods where they shop

A guided food tour through Shenzhen's local neighbourhoods where you taste signature dishes (char siu, roasted goose, dim sum, chicken hot pot and desserts) with a professional guide who knows the best spots and the stories behind them. The guide speaks English or Chinese and leads groups that include children from age 3. The tour runs 2 to 3 hours and includes all tastings, local beverages and cultural background on the food and the city's emphasis on fresh ingredients and food as medicine.

Step-by-step itinerary

Discover Shenzhen's local food gems

• Taste well-known Chinese dishes
• Sample flavorful local beers
• Explore hidden alleyways
• Hear stories from locals
• Learn about food culture

The experience

What makes this different from reading reviews for hours is that your guide has already done that work. You move through hidden alleyways in local neighbourhoods, stopping at the spots where Shenzhen residents actually eat, not tourist versions of the food. Along the way you taste char siu, roasted goose, dim sum, chicken hot pot and desserts, each one paired with the story of how it fits into the city's food culture and the traditional belief that food serves as medicine.

The guide is a local who speaks English or Chinese, and the group stays small enough that you hear the neighbourhood stories as you walk. You'll sample local beers alongside the food tastings, and the whole experience (from the first stop to the last) takes 2 to 3 hours, which leaves the rest of your day open for other parts of the city.

What’s included

• Professional local guide in English or Chinese.
• tastings of signature dishes including char siu, roasted goose, dim sum, chicken hot pot and desserts.
• local beverages and sweet drinks.
• food history and cultural background on Shenzhen's food traditions.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:30 and 18:00

Book up to5h before

AgesAdult (18 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 70 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Shenzhen Experience & Expat Services

Is this one for you?At 2 to 3 hours, the tour fits into a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day, so you can explore other neighbourhoods or attractions in Shenzhen before or after. The fixed route and guide mean you don't spend time planning which restaurants to try or navigating between them yourself.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What kind of food will I actually taste on this tour?

Char siu, roasted goose, dim sum, chicken hot pot and desserts, plus local beers and sweet drinks. Each stop focuses on a signature dish, and your guide explains the cultural background and the local philosophy behind what you're eating.

How long does the tour take and what time does it start?

The tour runs 2 to 3 hours. Your guide will confirm the exact start time and meeting point when you book.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The tour involves walking through local neighbourhoods and alleyways, so you'll be on your feet for the duration. It's suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.