Xiaolongbao Cooking Class with Instructor

This was my second time doing this class (first was in summer) and the winter experience was completely different and equally wonderful. The tea house feels extra cozy in winter — steam from the baskets, warm lighting, hot tea constantly refilled. Master Wang remembered me from before and welcomed me back like an old friend. The class content was the same high quality but the winter atmosphere made it feel more intimate. The group was smaller (winter is off-peak) so we got even more individual attention. Master Wang shared some winter-specific tips, like how the dough behaves differently in cold weather and how to adjust. We made traditional pork xiaolongbao and they were perfect — hot, soupy, and incredibly satisfying on a cold day. After the class, Master Wang recommended a nearby noodle shop for lunch and walked us there. Above and beyond service. Can't recommend this enough, in any season.

January in Shanghai means cold drizzle outside, but inside this tea house it was warm and wonderful. Anna had the heaters going and a pot of aged pu'er waiting for us. The class started with a deep dive into xiaolongbao history — learned that the dish was created by a man named Huang Mingxian who wanted to sell dumplings that stayed hot longer in winter. How fitting! The hands-on part was cozy — the warm dough, the hot filling, the steaming baskets. Anna was incredibly patient, especially when I kept tearing my wrappers. The trick is to keep the dough covered with a damp cloth so it doesn't dry out. We made pork xiaolongbao with the classic aspic filling, and watching the steam rise from the bamboo baskets on a cold day was pure comfort. The group was small (6 people) which meant lots of individual attention. After eating, we lingered over tea for another 30 minutes just chatting. A perfect winter morning in Shanghai.

Escaped the cold for a couple hours in this cozy tea house. The steaming baskets of xiaolongbao warmed us right up. Well worth booking.

Warm and cozy inside while it was chilly out — perfect winter activity. Anna was friendly and the hot tea hit the spot. Dumplings turned out great.

Did this with my partner on a chilly February weekend and it was the most romantic thing we did in Shanghai (without being cheesy). The tea house atmosphere is intimate and warm, with dark wood and soft lantern light. Lily set the tone perfectly — welcoming but not intrusive. We learned the dumpling technique side by side, and Lily took some great photos of us with our creations. The history lesson was genuinely interesting — who knew soup dumplings had such a rich backstory? The eating part was the best: just the two of us, hot tea, fresh xiaolongbao, and the quiet hum of the tea house. Way more memorable than an expensive dinner. If you're a couple traveling in winter, this is the move.