Soup Dumplings & Market Magic: Craft Shanghai’s Iconic XLB Like a Local!

Imagine the symphony of a waking wet market: cleavers drumming on wooden blocks, baskets overflowing with dewy greens, and the salty tang of the East China Sea hanging in the air. Now, picture yourself transforming these very ingredients into xiaolongbao—those legendary soup dumplings that burst with Shanghainese soul.  This isn’t just a cooking class—it’s a backstage pass to Shanghai’s culinary heartbeat.

Born in  19th-century Nanxiang , a sleepy town near Shanghai, these “little basket buns” began as a street vendor’s eureka moment: What if a dumpling could hold hot soup inside its delicate embrace?

The Edible Magic Trick :
Chefs devised a genius hack— solidified broth (from pork skin gelatin) tucked into the filling. When steamed, it melts into a golden, aromatic explosion—a surprise that still delights first-timers centuries later.

• Engineering Meets Art : Each pleat (18+ folds = chef’s pride!) is a testament to patience—where culinary skill becomes meditation.

• Nostalgia in Every Bite : For locals, the scent of steaming bamboo baskets whispers of childhood mornings, shared street-stall laughter, and family kitchens.

• Universal Joy : That first careful nibble, the rush of rich broth, the tender pork filling... it’s comfort food perfected .

• Today : From humble lanes to Michelin stars, xiaolongbao remains Shanghai’s edible love letter to the world— proof that great things come in small, steaming packages.

For 2 unforgettable hours, join a max of 8 fellow food adventurers and a seasoned Shanghainese chef on a  "market-to-mouth" pilgrimage . From vibrant market stalls to steamy kitchen secrets, you’ll touch, taste, and fold your way into the city’s food culture.

🛒  WET MARKET WONDERS
Where Shanghai’s real flavors begin

• Explore Like Family : Wander aisles piled high with glistening seasonal veggies , blush-pink pork, and live shrimp dancing in buckets.

• Culture in Every Cart : Learn why locals haggle for ginger at dawn, how to spot the freshest bamboo shoots, and why wet markets are the city’s communal kitchen.

• Meet the Makers : Friendly vendors beam as you pass—snap photos, smell exotic herbs, and taste stories most tourists never see.

Become a dumpling alchemist

• Dough Whispering : Knead silky wrappers from scratch—feel the perfect elasticity beneath your fingers.

• Soup Bomb Science : Master the gelatin-rich filling that melts into that iconic broth explosion.

• Pleat Perfection : Under the chef’s patient gaze, fold 18 delicate ruffles (yes, we count—it’s sacred!).
  ✨ Hot Tip: Breathe slowly—pleating is meditation with delicious rewards!

• Taste Your Triumph : Steam your creations and experience the "soup explosion" firsthand—pure umami euphoria!

• Eat Like Family : Share dumplings at a communal table with tea, laughter, and chef’s secret dipping sauce.

• Take Home Magic : Recipes + skills to wow friends (plus photos of your market treasures!).

⏳  Duration : 2 hours—short on time, big on memories.
👶  Kid-Friendly : Ages 8+ welcome! (Young chefs adore dough-play).
🚇  Location :  Madang Road Metro Station —steps from the French Concession, easy subway access.
🌧️  Rain or Shine : Markets buzz year-round; kitchens stay cozy.
❗  Allergy Alert : Contains pork, wheat, ginger. Tell us secrets: veggie? seafood-averse? We’ll adapt!

🧄   Touch everything!  Squeeze tofu, sniff star anise—markets are sensory playgrounds.
💧   Damp hands = perfect pleats!  Keep a bowl of water nearby while folding.
📸   Capture steam rising from your dumplings —it’s the ultimate foodie trophy shot.
⏰   Book 72+ hours early —tiny groups mean instant sell-outs!

Shanghai’s soul isn’t just on the Bund—it’s in the steam rising from bamboo baskets, the call of fishmongers at dawn, and the pride of folding your first flawless dumpling. Come taste the city where it’s most alive:  in the kitchen, with sticky fingers and a full heart.
Ready to unlock the secrets behind the world’s most magical dumpling?
Reserve Your Spot in Our Steamy Shanghainese Kitchen!