How do I book a local dining experience in China?

Browse our Plus 1 Chopsticks hosts, select a profile, and submit a booking request. Your host will confirm availability for your selected date.

How long does a typical home-cooked meal experience last?

Most home dining sessions last 2-3 hours, covering both the meal and local cultural conversation.

What time do lunch and dinner start?

In China, lunch is usually around 12pm and dinner between 6pm and 7pm — earlier than in many Western countries. Your host will confirm the exact time with you after booking, and most are happy to adjust if you're arriving from elsewhere in the city or coming straight from the airport.

What is the cost per person for a guest?

Prices are set by the host, ranging from ¥280 to ¥390 per person. Exact pricing is listed on each individual host profile.

What is your booking cancellation policy?

Cancel up to 7 days before your scheduled meal for a full refund. This ensures our local hosts have adequate preparation time.

Do you have reviews or ratings?

We publish written guest stories rather than star ratings. Every one comes from a guest who completed a booking. We think a number tells you a meal was fine, while someone describing the evening tells you what it was actually like — you can read them on any host's page.

Do I need to speak Chinese to dine with a host?

No. Many +1 Chopsticks hosts are multilingual; you can filter for English-speaking hosts when browsing.

Are the meals and hosts verified for food safety?

Yes. All +1 Chopsticks hosts undergo a verification process for hygiene, food safety, and ingredient quality to ensure a premium experience.

Can hosts accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?

Yes. Our +1 Chopsticks hosts are local families and professionals who can usually cater to special dietary needs if mentioned during booking.

How do I apply to become a +1 Chopsticks host in China?

Click 'Become a Host' to start our application and verification process. We welcome locals passionate about authentic cooking.

Do you offer partnerships for travel agents?

Yes. We provide special rates for travel agencies and tour operators. Contact plusonechopsticks@gmail.com for partnership details.

Are these dinners suitable for solo travelers in China?

Yes! Many of our hosts are families, couples, and young professionals who enjoy hosting individuals. Most +1 Chopsticks hosts accommodate solo dining, making it a safe and authentic way for solo travelers to experience genuine Chinese hospitality and home-cooked meals.

What makes +1 Chopsticks different from restaurants in China?

Unlike traditional restaurants, +1 Chopsticks offers authentic home-cooked meals prepared by local families in their homes. You get a genuine cultural experience with real Chinese hospitality, family recipes, and meaningful conversations with locals—something you cannot get in a restaurant.

Is home dining in China safe for tourists?

Yes, absolutely. All +1 Chopsticks hosts undergo a thorough verification process including background checks, food safety inspections, and hygiene certifications. We prioritize guest safety and comfort in every experience.

What authentic Chinese dishes can I expect?

Our hosts prepare traditional Shanghainese cuisine including xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), shengjianbao (pan-fried buns), hairy crab, braised pork belly, and other regional specialties passed down through generations. Menus vary by host and season.

Can I find home dining experiences in specific cities or districts?

Yes! We have verified hosts across China including Shanghai (Pudong, Huangpu, Jing'an, Changning, Xuhui, Minhang) and Shenzhen (Nanshan), with more cities coming soon. You can filter by location when browsing our host profiles to find experiences near your hotel or in your preferred area.

What is the best time to book a home dining experience in China?

We recommend booking 1-2 weeks in advance to ensure availability. However, some hosts may accommodate last-minute bookings. Check individual host calendars for real-time availability. Peak seasons (spring and fall) fill up faster.

How do I know if a host is authentic and trustworthy?

All +1 Chopsticks hosts display verification badges, guest reviews, and ratings on their profiles. Read guest testimonials and check their experience level. Our verification process ensures every host meets our high standards for authenticity, safety, and hospitality.

What should I bring or wear to a home dining experience?

Wear comfortable, casual clothing. Remove your shoes when entering the home (hosts will provide slippers). Bring an open mind and appetite! Some guests bring small gifts from their home country, though it's not required. Your host will provide any specific instructions.

Ryan

Cuisine: Putian Fujian & Cantonese Home Cooking

Location: Bao'an District, Shenzhen

Price: ¥300 per person

Group size: 1–11 guests

Meet Ryan

Hear Ryan's story in their own words

Hi, I'm Ryan. I'm from Putian in Fujian province and I work in software testing here in Shenzhen.

Cooking is what I do with my weekends. The card games came later and now they're non-negotiable.

My friend Yang Yang co-hosts these dinners with me. He's been part of the weekend crowd from the start, and between the two of us there's always someone keeping the conversation going while the other one is stuck at the wok.

I also have a Russian Blue cat, who will supervise the cooking from a safe distance and then ignore you completely.

Optional add-on activities

¥150 per activity, per group — not per person. Your first selected activity is complimentary when you book today; each additional activity is ¥150 per group.

Home cooking participation

Cook alongside Ryan and learn selected steps from his Putian home dishes.

¥150 per group

Friendly card-game session

Learn and play a relaxed local card game with Ryan and his co-host after the meal.

¥150 per group

Sample menu

Seasonal and market-dependent. A typical dinner is eight or more dishes, shared family style.

Putian Fujian specialties

Putian braised noodles (莆田卤面)
Putian stir-fried rice cakes (莆田炒白粿)
Oyster omelette (海蛎煎)
Steamed razor clams with Fujian rice wine (清蒸蛏子)
Qiang rou pork soup (炝肉汤)
Stuffed bitter melon with pork (苦瓜酿肉)

Seafood

Stir-fried crab with ginger and scallion (姜葱炒蟹)
Curry shrimp (咖喱虾)
Garlic shrimp (蒜蓉虾)
Stir-fried clams (炒花甲)
Steamed fish, ginger-scallion or black bean (清蒸鱼 / 豆豉蒸鱼)
Seaweed-wrapped eel (海苔包鳗鱼)

Home-style dishes

Beer-braised duck (啤酒鸭)
Steamed egg and pork patty (鸡蛋蒸肉饼)
Garlic chicken wings (蒜香鸡翅)
Garlic water spinach (蒜蓉空心菜)
Fried rice noodles (炒米粉)

Fujian food is savoury rather than fiery, so nothing on this table is very spicy. Dietary restrictions and allergies accommodated with advance notice.

Getting There

Bao'an District, Shenzhen

≈ 10 min from Bao'an International Airport
≈ 50 min from Futian CBD
≈ 65 min from Luohu / Dongmen

Nearest metro: Gushu (Line 1)

Book a seat with Ryan