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The best restaurant in Shanghai isn't a restaurant.
Experience authentic, home-cooked meals hosted by locals.
Meet your new friends in China - Authentic Home Dining Experiences
What guests say after their 🥢 +1 Chopsticks experience
From En Kai, Singapore
Solo Traveler
"It was a very interesting experience and everything went well! I enjoyed the conversations and the cozy vibe. It felt like going to a friend's house and just hanging out. It also gave me a glimpse of how locals live their..."
From Danny, Australia
Family with kid
"Thanks for having us, it was a terrific experience and we are glad we could be the first ones to try it out! The food was delicious and the hosts very welcoming."
From Dustin, Canada
Solo traveler · Realtor
"Grace was nice. Very good English. Felt like I was visiting old friends from San Francisco. As a solo traveller was refreshing to have some companionship over dinner."
From Claire (@lost_with_claire), Australia
Solo traveler · Teacher & Influencer
"Grace was very friendly and welcoming and cooked delicious food that was very different to the Chinese food that I had previously tried in restaurants and from street food vendors."
From Ethan Xu, Australia
Friends group
"The experience was great, and exactly what we were expecting and looking for. The absolute standout was the food… flavours exactly as I remembered eating as a child in Shanghai."
Ni Hao! We are +1 chopsticks
In Chinese culture, when we invite friends over for dinner, we say "加一双筷子"—it's simply adding a pair of chopsticks.
That's our mission: providing curated, affordable home dining for travelers who want more than a tourist menu.
Wait, home dining in China? I never heard of that
Yup. Because it didn't exist until we made it happen.
Dine at locals' homes. Share homemade dishes, stories, and neighborhoods you won't find on any tour.
Sounds fun! Who are the hosts? Can they cater my dietary needs?
Our diverse community of hosts includes families, couples, and young professionals who share passion of cooking and meeting new people. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, or a family, we'll match you with the perfect host.
No matter whose table you join, one thing is guaranteed: we will carefully accommodate all your dietary needs and restrictions to ensure a perfect meal.
All hosts are verified by the platform on the readiness to host, including language capability, food style and hygiene, and home environment.
Home-cooked menus
Regional dishes, seasonal ingredients, family recipes.
Hosted by local families
Meet your hosts, see their neighborhoods, eat like a local.
Small groups, real conversations
1–6 guests per table. Come as a traveler, leave as a friend.
🥢 How +1 Chopsticks Works
Browse
Explore our curated selection of local hosts and their unique dining experiences.
Book
Select your preferred date and time. The host will confirm your booking.
Prepare
Confirm any dietary needs and get ready for an authentic culinary experience.
Eat
Enjoy delicious home-cooked food and meaningful conversations with your host.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about dining with us
Booking & Logistics
Concerns & Safety
For Hosts & Partners
Still have questions?
Contact us at [email protected]Love cooking and meeting new people?
Join our community of hosts and share your culinary passion with travelers from around the world. It's easy, rewarding, and fun.
Earn income doing what you love
Set your own prices and keep 70% of earnings
Meet travelers from around the world
Build meaningful connections and share your culture
Flexible hosting schedule
Host when it works for you, no minimum commitments
Coming to China this year?
Get updates on new hosts. No spam, just delicious updates.
About Us
Steven completing the 7th continent with the lovely penguin
Home dining at Peer's place in Copenhagen
Home dining at Ahmed's place in Fez
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Steven teaching a new friend how to play '15-20', a famous Chinese drinking game
Home dining at Peer's place in Copenhagen
Home dining at Ahmed's place in Fez
Steven teaching a new friend how to play '15-20', a famous Chinese drinking game
Hi, I'm Steven
I'm the founder and CEO of +1 Chopsticks. Born and raised in Hong Kong, I have studied in the US, married my beautiful wife from Tianjin, and lived and worked in China for more than 15 years. As an expert in cultural travel experiences and authentic dining, I'm passionate about creating genuine connections between travelers and local communities through home-cooked meals.
My Travels & Passion
I'm an avid traveler who's been to 60+ countries and all seven continents. I enjoyed making new friends everywhere, and have shared numerous stories at my friends' homes from Copenhagen, Denmark to Fes, Morocco; from Nairobi, Kenya to San Paolo in Brazil. These became my favourite travel memories! This global experience directly informs how we design authentic home dining experiences.
Bridging Cultures
I'm the author of the "China vs the West" series as I'm deeply passionate about bridging the gap, debunking the myths, and showing the authentic China to everyone. In the era of AI, I believe real connection is the new luxury. Meeting a new friend at home is going to foster better connections than at a restaurant!
Professional Background
I'm a proud MBA graduate from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. I'm a seasoned management consultant and a serial entrepreneur in the hospitality and education sectors. My professional expertise in business strategy, hospitality operations, and community building ensures that +1 Chopsticks operates with the highest standards of quality and safety. My track record of success in multiple ventures demonstrates my ability to create meaningful, sustainable businesses that prioritize both guest and host experiences.