Chicago Chinatown: Walking Food Tour with Dim Sum & Local Bites

Summary

Taste dim sum, sweet egg tarts and stories in chicago’s chinatown

You’ll taste your way through Chicago’s Chinatown on foot—with dim sum shared around crowded tables, fresh bakery treats (egg tarts are a must), spicy noodles, and stories from a local guide who knows every shortcut and side street. Expect laughter, new flavors, maybe even a chopstick lesson—and leave feeling like you’ve seen more than just menus.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to be hungry again so soon after lunch, but there we were—standing in the middle of Chicago’s Chinatown Square, the air thick with that sweet-savory smell from a dozen kitchens. Our guide, Li, waved us over like he was gathering old friends (he grew up nearby—he mentioned his grandma still shops for tofu at the corner market). The square was noisy, full of families and shopkeepers yelling greetings I couldn’t catch. I liked that. It felt real—messy, busy, alive.

First stop: a no-frills spot for Cantonese dim sum. The table was already crowded with bamboo baskets when we squeezed in. I fumbled my chopsticks and nearly lost a shrimp dumpling—Li laughed and showed me how to hold them properly (I’m still not sure I got it right). The tea was hot and earthy; it cut through the steam rising off the buns. Someone at our table tried to guess what was inside each one before biting in—sometimes right, sometimes not. That’s half the fun.

We wandered past bright red lanterns and a bakery where the smell of egg tarts hit me before we even went in. The crust was flaky enough to leave crumbs all over my shirt (worth it), and the filling reminded me of custard pies my aunt used to make—except lighter somehow. We kept moving—Szechuan noodles next, spicy enough to make my nose run. Li told us about how different regions ended up here in Chicago: families escaping wars or just chasing something better. It made every bite feel like part of a bigger story.

I think what surprised me most wasn’t just how much we ate—it was how much I learned from watching people greet each other on the street or seeing kids chase pigeons around the square while their parents bargained for fruit. You get these flashes of daily life between bites of food. Even now, I can almost hear that mix of Mandarin and English echoing around Chinatown Square.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Chicago's Chinatown and food

• Walk through Chinatown neighborhood
• Visit Chinatown Square
• Learn Chinatown history and culture
• Enjoy Cantonese dim sum
• Try a delicious noodle dish
• Sample Portuguese egg tart

Top questions

How long is the Chicago Chinatown food tour?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.

Is dinner included on this walking food tour?

Yes, dinner is included as part of the tour experience.

Can vegetarians join this Chinatown food tour?

Yes, vegetarians can be accommodated if you mention it when booking.

Are there gluten-free options available?

No, gluten-free options are extremely limited on this tour.

Is this walking food tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, both transportation options and locations are wheelchair accessible.

Does this tour include alcoholic drinks?

An optional VIP Adult Beverage upgrade is available upon arrival for guests 21+.

Where does the Chinatown food tour start?

The tour begins in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood at Chinatown Square.

What kinds of food will I try on this tour?

You’ll sample Cantonese dim sum, Szechuan noodles, Portuguese-Chinese egg tarts, and more regional dishes.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes all tastings—dim sum shared family-style at local spots, handmade noodles from Szechuan kitchens, sweet bakery treats like egg tarts—and plenty of stories from your local guide along every block. Dinner is covered; if you want to add three paired drinks (alcoholic or ethnic), you can opt for the VIP beverage upgrade when you arrive.