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VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Judy

Vancouver, Canada

USD
$129-$175 per person

Small Group Vancouver Cooking Class OR Chinatown Food & Cocktail Tour

Host offerings
  • Cooking studio
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food Crawl & Cocktail Bar Hop

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: (1-20 guests) DUMPLING CLASS: Begin with a one-hour guided heritage and food tour of Vancouver’s historic Chinatown, led by Judy, a chef, historian, and expert in Chinese culture. Explore cultural landmarks, browse a traditional produce shop, sample Chinese tea, and stop by a beloved bakery. Daytime tours also include special access to heritage buildings typically closed to the public. Next, head to a local restaurant (daytime) or café (evening) for a hands-on dumpling-making class. Using filling and wrappers prepared in advance, learn to fill, shape, and fold your own dumplings. For safety, Judy handles the cooking at the stove, pan-frying or steaming your dumplings before you sit down to enjoy them. Recipes are provided via email. BYOB and vegan and vegetarian-friendly options. Please share any dietary restrictions or allergies when booking.

CANTONESE COOKING CLASS: Prefer something beyond dumplings? Judy also offers an immersive Cantonese cooking experience, where you’ll watch 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 chow fun. 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 and Cantonese cooking as recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.

Food Crawl & Cocktail Bar Hop: (2-15 guests) Chinatown Food Crawl and Cocktail Bar Hop in Vancouver. Join Judy, a culinary-heritage business owner, for a one-of-a-kind 3-hour late afternoon 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!

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. 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.
2. This venue is wheelchair accessible.
3. Sunday evening cooking classes start at 4:30 pm (not 5 pm).
4. The 1:00 pm experience is not available on Sundays or Mondays, as the venue is closed.

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.
  • DUMPLING CLASS:
  • Chinese seasoned peanuts and shrimp chips
  • Handmade dumplings | cumin lamb, ground chicken with truffles, beef, seafood or vegetarian

Traveler reviews

5.0 (10)
Casual stroll through historic Chinatown with all the good and bad. Great facility, food and instruction.
- jeff August 29, 2026
Judy was amazing, so knowledgeable and sensitive to who we are and what we care about so that our experience was truly personalized! We learned and experienced a great deal about the history and the current life of Chinatown. It was a wonderful (and tasty) experience as a family.
- jennie August 09, 2026
Judy is a brilliant guide and cook. She has a wealth of knowledge about China Towns across the world and she took us on a trip around them on her iPad. The walking tour round the local China Town was eye opening and we learned so much and very much enjoyed the amazing spring rolls she picked up from the best bakery outside of Hong Kong. The dumplings we made were also delicious and fun to make. This isn’t a cheap experience but Julie puts money back into the community and we can see she is highly respected and liked by all so well worth it. Thoroughly recommended.
- sophie August 07, 2026
Was so pleasantly surprised by the experience! We had a wonderful time and the instructor is amazing! We toured China Town then returned to a closed for the day coffee shop to make the dumplings. Everything was so well done and organized. The dumplings were delicious. I would absolutely recommend this victor activity.
- Janet July 15, 2026
You learn a lot about the history of the area. Judy was extremely knowledgeable, friendly , and caring. After learning about the "neighborhood" we ended up learning how to make dumplings and got to eat them!
- debbie June 28, 2026
Read More

Judy

$129-$175 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
 $129 $129 $129
Food Crawl & Cocktail Bar Hop
 Not offered $175 $175
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $129 $129 $129
Food Crawl & Cocktail Bar Hop
 Not offered $175 $175
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 1:00pm-4:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Food Crawl & Cocktail Bar Hop
 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: (1-20 guests) DUMPLING CLASS: Begin with a one-hour guided heritage and food tour of Vancouver’s historic Chinatown, led by Judy, a chef, historian, and expert in Chinese culture. Explore cultural landmarks, browse a traditional produce shop, sample Chinese tea, and stop by a beloved bakery. Daytime tours also include special access to heritage buildings typically closed to the public. Next, head to a local restaurant (daytime) or café (evening) for a hands-on dumpling-making class. Using filling and wrappers prepared in advance, learn to fill, shape, and fold your own dumplings. For safety, Judy handles the cooking at the stove, pan-frying or steaming your dumplings before you sit down to enjoy them. Recipes are provided via email. BYOB and vegan and vegetarian-friendly options. Please share any dietary restrictions or allergies when booking.

CANTONESE COOKING CLASS: Prefer something beyond dumplings? Judy also offers an immersive Cantonese cooking experience, where you’ll watch 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 chow fun. 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 and Cantonese cooking as recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.

Food Crawl & Cocktail Bar Hop: (2-15 guests) Chinatown Food Crawl and Cocktail Bar Hop in Vancouver. Join Judy, a culinary-heritage business owner, for a one-of-a-kind 3-hour late afternoon 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!

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. 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.
2. This venue is wheelchair accessible.
3. Sunday evening cooking classes start at 4:30 pm (not 5 pm).
4. The 1:00 pm experience is not available on Sundays or Mondays, as the venue is closed.

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.
  • DUMPLING CLASS:
  • Chinese seasoned peanuts and shrimp chips
  • Handmade dumplings | cumin lamb, ground chicken with truffles, beef, seafood or vegetarian

Traveler reviews

5.0 (10)
Casual stroll through historic Chinatown with all the good and bad. Great facility, food and instruction.
- jeff August 29, 2026
Judy was amazing, so knowledgeable and sensitive to who we are and what we care about so that our experience was truly personalized! We learned and experienced a great deal about the history and the current life of Chinatown. It was a wonderful (and tasty) experience as a family.
- jennie August 09, 2026
Judy is a brilliant guide and cook. She has a wealth of knowledge about China Towns across the world and she took us on a trip around them on her iPad. The walking tour round the local China Town was eye opening and we learned so much and very much enjoyed the amazing spring rolls she picked up from the best bakery outside of Hong Kong. The dumplings we made were also delicious and fun to make. This isn’t a cheap experience but Julie puts money back into the community and we can see she is highly respected and liked by all so well worth it. Thoroughly recommended.
- sophie August 07, 2026
Was so pleasantly surprised by the experience! We had a wonderful time and the instructor is amazing! We toured China Town then returned to a closed for the day coffee shop to make the dumplings. Everything was so well done and organized. The dumplings were delicious. I would absolutely recommend this victor activity.
- Janet July 15, 2026
You learn a lot about the history of the area. Judy was extremely knowledgeable, friendly , and caring. After learning about the "neighborhood" we ended up learning how to make dumplings and got to eat them!
- debbie June 28, 2026
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $129 $129 $129
Food Crawl & Cocktail Bar Hop
 Not offered $175 $175
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $129 $129 $129
Food Crawl & Cocktail Bar Hop
 Not offered $175 $175
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 1:00pm-4:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Food Crawl & Cocktail Bar Hop
 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 4% 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.