Chinatown Food Tour
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Experience the authentic flavors of Chinatown on a 3-hour guided food tour curated by Chicago Tribune Good Eating Award winner Z.J. Tong. As you explore the neighborhood with a local guide, you'll sample regional Chinese specialties, discover the stories behind each dish, and gain a deeper understanding of Chinatown's rich culture and history. Tea and ice water are included throughout the tour. - Sample authentic regional Chinese dishes at local favorite eateries. - Explore Chinatown with knowledgeable guides connected to the community. - Learn the cultural traditions and stories behind every tasting. - Enjoy an award-winning culinary experience curated by Z.J. Tong.
Inclusions
What's included
- A stop at a BBQ Shop to taste the fresh off the oven BBQ pork
- Talk on Chinatown and Chinese culture along the way
- Dessert with Matcha Crepe Cake at a hidden dessert shop
- Appetizer at a Cantonese Dim Sum Restaurant
- Entree with famous Peking Duck and multiple dishes
- A visit to an Asian candy store where even Kit Kat has 10+ flavors you don't find anywhere else.
- Meal, Tea and Ice Water are included.
- Meals
What's not
- Gratuity to the guide is not included and encouraged
Itinerary
Begin your culinary journey at Triple Crown Restaurant, one of Chinatown’s oldest family-owned establishments and a beloved local landmark. Here, you'll experience the tradition of Cantonese dim sum, often referred to by locals as “tea time.” As you settle in, savor freshly prepared specialties, including delicate shrimp dumplings, a classic dish often used to judge the quality and authenticity of a Cantonese restaurant. You'll also sample flavorful sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves, infused with the leaves’ subtle aroma, along with other traditional favorites. Paired with a soothing cup of chrysanthemum tea, this stop offers an authentic introduction to the flavors, customs, and culinary heritage of Chicago’s Chinatown.
As you explore the heart of Chicago’s Chinatown, you'll uncover the fascinating stories behind some of its most iconic landmarks. Admire the historic On Leong Merchants Association Building, now known as the Pui Tak Center, from the outside and learn about its important role in the growth and development of the local Chinese American community. Standing before the magnificent Nine Dragon Wall, you'll discover the powerful symbolism of dragons in Chinese culture and why they are regarded as symbols of strength, prosperity, and good fortune. You'll also stop at the impressive Chinatown Gate, where your guide will reveal the meaning behind the four Chinese characters displayed above the entrance, offering insight into the traditions and values they represent.
No visit to Chinatown would be complete without tasting the world-famous Peking Duck. At Imperial Restaurant, you'll enjoy this iconic dish prepared and served in two delicious ways: wrapped in a delicate pancake with traditional accompaniments and featured in a flavorful lettuce wrap. You'll also sample a variety of local favorites, including savory Mongolian Beef, crispy Orange Chicken, and Combination Seafood Bird's Nest, a popular dish showcasing fresh seafood and vegetables. Surrounded by local Chinese diners, you'll experience an authentic dining atmosphere while learning about the flavors and traditions that have made these dishes beloved staples of Chinese cuisine.
Have you ever wondered what those glistening roasted meats hanging in Chinatown restaurant windows taste like? At New Great Wall BBQ, you'll get to sample one of the neighborhood’s most beloved specialties—freshly roasted Cantonese BBQ pork (char siu). Enjoy its perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory flavors, with tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites that showcase the artistry of traditional Chinese barbecue. As you savor this local favorite, you'll learn about its importance in Cantonese cuisine and why it remains a comfort food cherished by generations. This unforgettable tasting is sure to leave you craving more long after your Chinatown adventure comes to an end.
Be a kid at a candy store, literally. This Asian candy store has a great variety that you don't find anywhere else. How about some Matcha Kit Kat? Or Cream Dried Plum? You'll love it and whoever you are buying the treats for will thank you for it.
Hidden on the 2nd floor in Chinatown Square, this dessert place is a favorite of many locals and visitors. Take a bite of the unique flavor of Matcha Crepe Cake. You'll be a fan for life.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 51
- 40
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 1 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Meet at the southwest corner of Wentworth Ave and Archer Ave, in front of the Chinatown Library.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 20 travellers
- Operated by
- Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Casual outfit is recommended.
- Please wear comfortable shoes. The walking distance is about 5-6 short blocks for an hour.
- Please let us know if there is any strict dietary restriction. Depending on the special requirement, we may or may not be able to accommodate.
How it compares in Chicago
- Its from-price is 23% above the median of the 524 experiences we list in Chicago.
- It is longer than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 340 of 524.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Chicago
Chicago is a Great Lakes city on Lake Michigan, famed for skyscraper architecture, deep-dish pizza, blues and jazz and a long lakefront of parks.
Chicago rebuilt itself after the fire of 1871 and became the cradle of the skyscraper. The Chicago River runs through the Loop, where tall towers rise, and boat tours explain the architecture from the water. Millennium Park's mirrored Cloud Gate sculpture, known as the Bean, and the Art Institute of Chicago, with its Impressionist paintings, are close together. Willis Tower has a glass-floored observation deck.
Top-ranked sights in Chicago: Navy Pier, Wrigley Building, The Magnificent Mile.
Special offers in Chicago
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
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