This is the best Vancouver Chinatown food tour
Culture Explorer uses affiliate links, including those from Amazon, which are identified using an *. If you buy something through the link at no extra cost to you, Culture Explorer may be paid a commission, which helps to fund running of the site. You can read more about this here.
I’ve been to many Chinatowns around the world, from the one near my home in London to those in Bangkok, Melbourne, San Francisco and beyond.
Aside from the food, I go because I’m curious about the Chinese diaspora – how they ended up where they did and what happened to them there.
So naturally I was really interested in visiting the Chinatown in Vancouver.
Vancouver probably wouldn’t exist today without the Chinese immigrants who came to the city when it was founded in the 19th century.
They helped build the transcontinental railroad that connected the west coast of Canada to the east, and worked in the logging mills that subsequently made the city prosper.
Vancouver’s Chinatown was created by those early immigrants, and became a key part of their support network during the decades of anti-Asian racism that followed.
It’s why I decided to book Bob Sung’s A Wok Around Chinatown tour*.
Aside from eating my way around this historic neighbourhood, I heard personal stories from someone who grew up here – an extra connection that made this the best Vancouver Chinatown food tour.
By the way, you might also find it helpful to read my Vancouver trip planning guide.
A Wok Around Chinatown tour overview
I booked the A Wok Around Chinatown tour when I visited Vancouver in September 2025.
As I was on assignment for The Times and Cruise & Travel, the cost of the tour was covered by Destination Vancouver.
You can book the tour directly with Bob Sung, paying CAD $125 plus tax, or on Viator* in your own currency to avoid any foreign transaction fees your bank might levy.
Here are the other things you should know.
Tour details
- Rating: 10/10
- Type: walking
- Best for: small groups, solo travellers, those who are curious and have an open mind
- Duration: 4 hours – but it can be longer
- Price: from £89.42 on Viator*
- Group size: maximum 14 people
What’s included
- Entry to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
- Tasting samples from various places around Chinatown
- A sit-down dim sum lunch
- A guided tea tasting
- Gratuities
What’s not included
- Alcoholic drinks
The tour itinerary
Bob Sung’s A Wok Around Chinatown tour* weaves together history, culture and food tastings, with each stop acting as a segue into an anecdote on the Chinese community in Vancouver.
My tour started with a visit to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden where Sung gave an overview of the history of the gardens and used it to discuss some of the key differences between Chinese and western cultures.
On the way to a barbecue spot, he explained how the architecture of Chinatown was shaped by the heritage of the people who built it.
At a bakery, he talked about the Portuguese legacy in China, and the adoption of the egg tart in cities like Hong Kong and Macau.
We visited both the Chinese Canadian Museum and the Chinatown Storytelling Center, where Sung pointed out his family members in the displays.
I went back to both after the tour and had really interesting conversations with the volunteers.
Our tour also included a visit to a grocery shop, a sit-down dim sum lunch and a guided tea tasting.
It was an itinerary packed with both interesting stops and real stories.
What I liked
As you can probably tell, my favourite part of the tour was the deeply personal connection that Sung clearly has with Vancouver’s Chinatown.
Unlike tours where the guide is just reciting history from memory, Sung is sharing a part of his life, his culture, his history.
It offered a deeper insight into the city than anything I could manage just by visiting museums.
We also had some delicious bites along the way, which of course is a key ingredient in any good food tour.
What could be better
Honestly, not much.
Our tour ran longer than the 4 hours in the listing but I’m not sure anyone minded because it was so interesting.
Is it worth the money?
Bob Sung’s A Wok Around Chinatown tour* is one of the more expensive food tours out there but I think it’s worth every penny considering how long it is and how much you learn.
I would argue that he should charge more.
Consider this: most food tours only give you a sample of dishes here and there but this tour includes a sit-down dim sum lunch as well as the smaller tastings.
It’s also a small group tour, which usually means higher prices.
Is this tour for you?
I booked Bob Sung’s A Wok Around Chinatown tour* because I wanted to learn more about the Chinese community that built Vancouver and that’s exactly what I got.
It might feel a bit niche but I think it gives real insight into a key part of the city’s history and is well worth it if you have the time and can afford it.
And of course you get to try some great food.
The tour is best suited for small groups, solo travellers or couples who are curious-minded.
And as it’s a walking tour, you’ll need to be fairly mobile even though there isn’t that much walking.
Other tours to consider
If you’re looking for alternatives to Bob Sung’s A Wok Around Chinatown tour*, you have a few options in Vancouver, especially if you’re keen to focus on the food and drink side of things.
Top of my list would be the Hidden Cocktail Crawl in Chinatown* experience from Local Eats Food and Drinks Tour: Vancouver.
It’s a 4 hour tour where you’ll try snacks at three different venues and visit a couple of cool speakeasies.
I haven’t been on this tour but I imagine one of the stops is Laowai, which is a really cool little spot hidden behind a dumpling shop.
Another option is the Vancouver: Chinatown Heritage Walk and Dim Sum Lunch* experience from Historical Chinatown Tours.
It’s just two and a half hours long but you do get a dim sum lunch as part of the tour.
If you want more of a hands-on experience, there’s the Vancouver Chinatown Tour and Dumpling-Making Cooking Class* from Traveling Spoon.
You’ll do a quick stroll through Chinatown before rolling up your sleeves to make some dumplings.
The experience runs for 2 hours and 45 minutes, which I must say feels a bit rushed, but it’s had good reviews.
Pin this for later
FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions that might help you decide whether Bob Sung’s A Wok Around Chinatown tour* is for you.
How difficult is the tour?
This tour is super easy. There isn’t a lot of walking and it’s at a very relaxed pace.
Is it suitable for children?
Children can join the tour but parents should be aware that it’s quite a long tour.
What do you need to bring?
You should bring a bottle of water and anything else you might need for a walking tour.
How about bad weather?
The tour will go ahead rain or shine.
Can you cancel or reschedule?
Cancellation is free if done so at least 24 hours in advance.
