A Mother-Daughter Vegetarian Chinese Cooking Experience in Shanghai
A special afternoon shared between Kasia and Laura during their family trip to Shanghai.
Sometimes the Best Travel Memories Are Made in the Kitchen
One afternoon, we welcomed a mother and daughter from Poland to our studio in Shanghai.
Well… at least that's what I learned after asking my very first question.
"Are you two friends?"
Kasia laughed immediately.
"No, she's my daughter!"
I took it as a compliment for Kasia—she certainly looked young enough that my question made her smile.
Her daughter, Laura, is studying medicine and still has five more years of university ahead of her. During their family trip through China, she and her mother decided to spend an afternoon learning how to cook authentic Chinese vegetarian dishes together.
Meanwhile, the rest of the family explored Shanghai in their own way.
One Family, Different Food Preferences
Their family of four has very different interests.
Three family members are vegetarian, while Laura's younger brother isn't. More importantly, he simply isn't interested in cooking.
Instead of trying to convince everyone to join the class, Kasia and Laura chose to enjoy the experience together.
We actually see this quite often.
Travel doesn't always mean doing everything together. Sometimes the best family trips leave room for everyone to enjoy what they love before meeting again later to share stories over dinner.
Discovering Chinese Vegetarian Cuisine
Preparing authentic vegetarian Chinese dishes~Discovering that Chinese vegetarian food is far more diverse than many travelers expect.
Many visitors are surprised by how diverse Chinese vegetarian food can be.
During the class, we prepared several authentic home-style dishes from scratch. Before turning on the stove, we spent time learning basic Chinese knife skills—a small detail that makes a big difference in Chinese cooking.
One of the funniest moments came while practicing.
Kasia confidently showed off her chopping skills and laughed,
Kasia cutting the infused dry-shiitake mushroom finely
"I've been cooking for 48 years."
I couldn't resist replying,
"That doesn't count from infancy!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
By the end of the class, we all agreed on one favorite dish:
Yu Xiang Eggplant (鱼香茄子).
Rich, savory, slightly sweet, and just a little spicy, it's often the dish that changes people's impression of Chinese vegetarian food.
Culture Note: Why Chinese Meals Are Shared
Unlike many Western meals where each person orders their own main course, Chinese meals are usually served family style.
Several dishes are placed in the center of the table, and everyone shares them together.
This makes Chinese dining naturally flexible. One person may enjoy meat dishes, another prefers vegetables, while someone else is vegetarian—all without feeling left out.
For Kasia's family, three members are vegetarian while one isn't. Although only Kasia and Laura joined our cooking class, sharing dishes is still very much part of how Chinese food brings people together.
For many Chinese people, a meal isn't just about eating. It's about conversation, connection, and spending time around the same table.
Beginner Chinese:
公筷 (Gōng Kuài)
公筷 (Gōng Kuài) means serving chopsticks.
In China, especially when sharing dishes, restaurants and families often provide an extra pair of chopsticks for serving food from the communal plates.
You may hear people say:
请用公筷。
Qǐng yòng gōng kuài.
"Please use the serving chopsticks."
Learning this simple phrase not only helps you understand Chinese dining etiquette but also makes sharing meals with locals feel more natural.
More Than Learning Recipes
Sharing the meal together~Good food always tastes better when it's shared.
One of the things we enjoy most about hosting cooking classes isn't simply teaching recipes.
It's meeting people from different parts of the world and hearing the stories behind their travels.
Some guests come as couples.
Some travel with old friends.
Others, like Kasia and Laura, turn a family holiday into a special mother-daughter afternoon.
Cooking together naturally slows people down. There are vegetables to chop, dumplings to fold, stories to exchange, and plenty of laughter along the way.
Sometimes those moments become the highlight of an entire trip.
Until Next Time
You still have plenty of time to travel.
As the afternoon came to an end, we talked a little about Laura's future.
She still has five years of medical school ahead of her.
Before saying goodbye, I told her,
"You still have plenty of time to travel. I hope you get to see more of the world while you're at university."
"And if you ever come back to China, you're always welcome here."
She smiled.
Perhaps we'll meet again someday—around another kitchen table, with another meal to cook together.
After all, that's one of the best things about travel.
You never know when a simple afternoon can become a memory that stays with you long after you return home.
Looking for a Vegetarian Cooking Class in Shanghai?
Whether you're vegetarian, vegan, or simply curious about authentic Chinese home cooking, our hands-on classes are designed for beginners of all cooking levels.
Together we'll prepare traditional Chinese dishes, learn practical cooking techniques, explore the stories behind the food, and enjoy the meal we've created together.
Because sometimes, the best way to experience a culture isn't by checking off famous landmarks—it's by cooking, sharing, and sitting around the same table.
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