Xiao Long Bao Class in Shanghai: Make Soup Dumplings by Hand

Roll, fold and seal 10 soup dumplings the way a Shanghai family has for generations.

This hands-on cooking class teaches you to make Xiao Long Bao, Shanghai soup dumplings, from dough to finished dumpling, guided by a local home chef who shares her family recipe. You start with a market walk to source organic pork, then move to the kitchen to make every wrapper by hand, prepare the filling, and master the traditional folding technique. You take home 10 dumplings you made yourself. The class runs 3.5 hours, uses no MSG, and welcomes children from age 6. A vegetarian option is available.

The experience

You meet your host at Jordan MTR Station and walk together through a local market to buy fresh organic pork: the same way she shops for her own kitchen. This is not a tour of the market. You are learning how a Shanghai home cook actually selects ingredients. Back at the kitchen café, she walks you through each step: mixing and kneading the dough, preparing the filling, and executing the precise fold that traps the soup inside. Beginners move at the same pace as experienced cooks because the instruction is detailed and hands-on, not a demonstration you watch from a distance.

Every guest makes 10 Xiao Long Bao from start to finish. All equipment and ingredients are provided: organic pork or a vegetarian alternative if you request it at booking. The class lasts 3.5 hours and includes everything you need to walk out knowing how to make them again. If you book an evening class, the itinerary includes a stop at Temple Street night market to see how locals eat street food after dark.

Morning, afternoon and private group options are available by contacting the chef directly. The small-group format keeps the class focused and hands-on, so you get real instruction time rather than standing in a crowd. If you want to learn both Xiao Long Bao and other Chinese dumplings in one session, a combo class exists and costs less than booking them separately.

What’s included

• Market walk with your host to buy fresh organic ingredients.
• step-by-step instruction in making Xiao Long Bao from dough to finished dumpling.
• all cooking equipment and utensils.
• all ingredients, including organic pork or vegetarian alternatives.
• 10 handmade soup dumplings per person to take with you.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 18:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Organic Dumplings Class HK

Is this one for you?Pick the evening class if you want to see how locals eat after dark at Temple Street night market. Choose a morning or afternoon slot if you prefer to focus only on the dumpling-making itself. The small-group format keeps instruction personal and hands-on, so you get real teaching time rather than standing in a crowd watching a demo.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What exactly do I make during the class?

You make 10 Xiao Long Bao soup dumplings from scratch. You mix and knead the dough, prepare the filling, and fold each dumpling using the traditional technique that seals the soup inside. Every step is hands-on. Nothing is pre-made for you.

Do I need cooking experience to join?

No. The instructions are detailed and easy to follow, so beginners participate confidently alongside anyone with more experience. The chef teaches step by step and adjusts to the group's pace.

What happens at the market walk?

You walk with your host to a local market to buy fresh organic pork. The ingredient that goes into the filling. She shows you how she selects groceries and what to look for, so you see the market through a local's eyes rather than as a tourist attraction.

Can I do an evening class instead of morning or afternoon?

Yes. Evening classes include a visit to Temple Street night market to learn about Hong Kong street food culture. Contact the chef directly to arrange a time that fits your schedule. Morning, afternoon and private group options are also available on request.

Is a vegetarian option available?

Yes. State your preference in the special requirements field when you book, and the chef will prepare a vegetarian filling for your dumplings.

What's included in the 3.5-hour class?

The market walk with your host, step-by-step instruction in making Xiao Long Bao, all cooking utensils and equipment, all ingredients (organic pork or vegan alternatives), and the 10 dumplings you make yourself. Transportation to and from the meeting point at Jordan MTR Station is not included.