Like the microwave, penicillin, and so many other good things, Lost Plate came about as a total accident.

Ruixi, a Sichuanese, and Brian, a Portlander, were married and working in Xian. New to China, Brian was lost without Ruixi’s ability to maneuver the city, and most importantly, find the best food. Knowing what to order and how to communicate with the shop owners seemed far from reach.

When friends visited, Ruixi would share her favorite spots, and her passion couldn’t have been more obvious. She would tell endless stories about what they were eating, its significance to the local culture, and where all the best places were. This is how the first Lost Plate tours were born.

It was only a matter of time before she decided to start tours in her hometown of Chengdu and Brian’s sister, Michelle, did the same in Portland. They’d always spoken about how food is the ultimate way people were connected with each other, so the three of them saw an opportunity to make their passion their work in the places they have a close connection with.