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Host: Judy

Vancouver, Canada

USD
$125-$169 per person

Vancouver Chinatown Tour and Dumpling-Making Class with a Local Chef

Host offerings
  • Cooking studio
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Judy

Judy is a chef, historian, and award-winning culinary tourism entrepreneur based in Vancouver, where she runs historical Chinatown tours and traditional Chinese cooking classes. With deep family roots in the city and a Master’s degree in history, Judy brings rich cultural insight and personal storytelling to every experience. She is passionate about preserving and sharing Chinese Canadian heritage through food, history, and meaningful connections.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (2-25 guests) DUMPLINGS CLASS: Begin your private, culinary experience with a 30-minute guided heritage tour of Vancouver’s historic Chinatown, led by your host Judy - a chef, historian, and expert in Chinese Canadian culture. You'll explore cultural landmarks, browse a traditional produce shop, enjoy samples from a Chinese tea store, and taste local treats from a beloved Chinese bakery. Judy also offers special access to heritage buildings typically closed to the public, hidden gems you’ll only see on her daytime tours. After the tour, head to a local restaurant (for daytime bookings) or café kitchen (for evening bookings) for a hands-on dumpling-making class. During your Vancouver cooking class, you’ll knead, roll, fill, and fold dumplings from scratch. While the fillings are pre-prepared, you'll receive the full recipes to take home. Choose to pan-fry or steam your dumplings, then pair them with your own custom blend of up to 10 sauces - think soy sauce, chili oil, black vinegar, and more. Finish your meal with fresh fruit and a classic fortune cookie. Alcohol is available for purchase or you’re welcome to BYOB. Judy is happy to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies including lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan - just let her know if you have any dietary preferences when making your booking.

CANTONESE COOKING CLASS: Prefer something beyond dumplings? Judy also offers an immersive Cantonese cooking experience, where you’ll learn traditional stir-frying, steaming, or braising techniques to prepare a Cantonese meal from scratch. A sample menu you learn to cook might include sticky rice with Chinese sausage and mushrooms, green beans with prawns and chicken chow mein. Just let her know your preference when booking, otherwise it defaults to a dumpling class. Judy is passionate about preserving the rich culinary traditions of Chinatowns around the world, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.

Food tour: (2-15 guests) DUMPLING HOP & COCKTAILS: Join Judy, a chef and heritage expert, for a one-of-a-kind 3-hour evening experience exploring Vancouver’s hottest cocktail bars, each paired with global dumpling delights. You’ll visit three award-winning bars, all located in historic Chinatown and each featured on the Top 100 Best Bars in North America list. This is the first time this curated experience is being offered in Canada!
Stop 1 – Italian Flair: Kick things off with handmade arancini paired with your choice of a Negroni or Aperol Spritz in a stylish Italian-inspired bar.
Stop 2 – Apothecary Elegance: Savor Chinese dumplings in a moody, apothecary-style bar nestled in the heart of Chinatown. Frequently ranked as the #2 bar in Canada three years running, this spot is beloved for its inventive cocktails.
Stop 3 – Speakeasy Spice: End the night at a tucked-away speakeasy serving Indian dumplings, pakoras, and an Indian-inspired craft cocktail that brings bold flavors and conversation together.
Expect a fun, flavor-packed evening of cocktails, culinary storytelling, and cultural connection – led by Judy, a passionate host who brings Vancouver’s Chinatown to life in a whole new way.

Notes:
1. On Sundays, the start time for your cooking class is 4:30pm (half an hour earlier than usual).
2. Unlike most Traveling Spoon experiences, this class takes place in a restaurant or café kitchen, not in a private home. This allows Judy to host you in a professionally equipped space while still offering a warm, personalized, and immersive culinary experience.
3. This venue is wheelchair accessible.

Languages spoken: English, Cantonese, Spanish, French

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Chinese seasoned peanuts and shrimp chips
  • Handmade dumplings | cumin lamb, ground chicken with truffles, beef, seafood or vegetarian
  • Fortune cookie and fruit
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Judy

$125-$169 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $125 $125
Food Tour
Not offered $169 $169
Alcohol
$0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $125 $125
Food Tour
Not offered $169 $169
Alcohol
$0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
12:00pm-3:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Food Tour
3:00pm-6:00pm

Meet Judy

Judy is a chef, historian, and award-winning culinary tourism entrepreneur based in Vancouver, where she runs historical Chinatown tours and traditional Chinese cooking classes. With deep family roots in the city and a Master’s degree in history, Judy brings rich cultural insight and personal storytelling to every experience. She is passionate about preserving and sharing Chinese Canadian heritage through food, history, and meaningful connections.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (2-25 guests) DUMPLINGS CLASS: Begin your private, culinary experience with a 30-minute guided heritage tour of Vancouver’s historic Chinatown, led by your host Judy - a chef, historian, and expert in Chinese Canadian culture. You'll explore cultural landmarks, browse a traditional produce shop, enjoy samples from a Chinese tea store, and taste local treats from a beloved Chinese bakery. Judy also offers special access to heritage buildings typically closed to the public, hidden gems you’ll only see on her daytime tours. After the tour, head to a local restaurant (for daytime bookings) or café kitchen (for evening bookings) for a hands-on dumpling-making class. During your Vancouver cooking class, you’ll knead, roll, fill, and fold dumplings from scratch. While the fillings are pre-prepared, you'll receive the full recipes to take home. Choose to pan-fry or steam your dumplings, then pair them with your own custom blend of up to 10 sauces - think soy sauce, chili oil, black vinegar, and more. Finish your meal with fresh fruit and a classic fortune cookie. Alcohol is available for purchase or you’re welcome to BYOB. Judy is happy to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies including lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan - just let her know if you have any dietary preferences when making your booking.

CANTONESE COOKING CLASS: Prefer something beyond dumplings? Judy also offers an immersive Cantonese cooking experience, where you’ll learn traditional stir-frying, steaming, or braising techniques to prepare a Cantonese meal from scratch. A sample menu you learn to cook might include sticky rice with Chinese sausage and mushrooms, green beans with prawns and chicken chow mein. Just let her know your preference when booking, otherwise it defaults to a dumpling class. Judy is passionate about preserving the rich culinary traditions of Chinatowns around the world, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.

Food tour: (2-15 guests) DUMPLING HOP & COCKTAILS: Join Judy, a chef and heritage expert, for a one-of-a-kind 3-hour evening experience exploring Vancouver’s hottest cocktail bars, each paired with global dumpling delights. You’ll visit three award-winning bars, all located in historic Chinatown and each featured on the Top 100 Best Bars in North America list. This is the first time this curated experience is being offered in Canada!
Stop 1 – Italian Flair: Kick things off with handmade arancini paired with your choice of a Negroni or Aperol Spritz in a stylish Italian-inspired bar.
Stop 2 – Apothecary Elegance: Savor Chinese dumplings in a moody, apothecary-style bar nestled in the heart of Chinatown. Frequently ranked as the #2 bar in Canada three years running, this spot is beloved for its inventive cocktails.
Stop 3 – Speakeasy Spice: End the night at a tucked-away speakeasy serving Indian dumplings, pakoras, and an Indian-inspired craft cocktail that brings bold flavors and conversation together.
Expect a fun, flavor-packed evening of cocktails, culinary storytelling, and cultural connection – led by Judy, a passionate host who brings Vancouver’s Chinatown to life in a whole new way.

Notes:
1. On Sundays, the start time for your cooking class is 4:30pm (half an hour earlier than usual).
2. Unlike most Traveling Spoon experiences, this class takes place in a restaurant or café kitchen, not in a private home. This allows Judy to host you in a professionally equipped space while still offering a warm, personalized, and immersive culinary experience.
3. This venue is wheelchair accessible.

Languages spoken: English, Cantonese, Spanish, French

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Chinese seasoned peanuts and shrimp chips
  • Handmade dumplings | cumin lamb, ground chicken with truffles, beef, seafood or vegetarian
  • Fortune cookie and fruit
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $125 $125
Food Tour
Not offered $169 $169
Alcohol
$0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $125 $125
Food Tour
Not offered $169 $169
Alcohol
$0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
12:00pm-3:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Food Tour
3:00pm-6:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.