Food is a huge part of culture and joining a cooking class in Hoi An is a great introduction to not only the local food but a way of life. Even if you’ve never gone within a meter of your kitchen at home and run a mile at the thought of preparing a meal, think again. Hoi An’s cooking classes are not just for keen cooks and budding chefs – they’re for anyone who fancies a fun time, a chance to meet local people and to experience a side of Hoi An that you’ll otherwise miss out on.
There’s a super range of cooking classes in Hoi An, depending on the type of class you’re after and how much time you have. Vegetarian options are available almost everywhere but remember to check in advance if you’ve any dietary needs, just in case. Read on to find out everything you need to know before you flex your apron.
Extended Cooking Class Tours
Hoi An cooking classes can differ widely, depending on what you’re looking for. The most basic experience will involve you attending a restaurant or premises, learning about local food from your host, choosing a dish and cooking it from scratch, step-by-step. Of course, you also get to eat the results of your culinary endeavors so don’t forget to attend on an empty stomach.
Other cooking classes in Hoi An will still include the above but there are options to go on a mini-tour first. This may involve a guided trip to one or more of Hoi An’s markets – and the experience is always so much more with local knowledge – or even a boating trip or cycling tour. Learning about, choosing and then buying the very ingredients you later cook your meal with definitely adds a certain something to the whole experience so shop around before you decide on which Hoi An cooking class to go for.
The Best Cooking Classes in Hoi An
Sabirama Cooking Class Tour
Sabirama Cooking Tour is a Hoi An cooking class that packs a lot into a half day : a visit to the market, a 45-minute river cruise, a paddle in a traditional basket boat, a water buffalo cart ride, a foot massage, the preparation of four traditional Vietnamese food dishes (including decorative touches) and, last but not least, consuming the scrumptious food with relish. Phew!
My Grandma’s Home Cooking Class
Join my family’s village on a small island on the river delta and learn how the rice paper used in “nem” is prepared. Also learn how to prepare several typical dishes including: banh xeo, gilled marinated pork brochettes, green papaya salad and a local fish dish.
Vegetarian menu on request.
Green Bamboo
For a real one-on-one introduction to Vietnamese cuisine, Green Bamboo is one of the best cooking classes in Hoi An – Van is the perfect host. After visiting the market, you cook in her own home kitchen and enjoy your homemade lunch family-style, with no rush. Maximum size: 12 per class. Reasonably priced including all transport, market tour, class, meal and refreshment. Check out the fabulous reviews on TA.
Green Mango
Experience one-on-one cooking with superb Green Mango chef Hai! Menu items are based on historic Hanoi dishes. It’s not just a lesson in cooking but a culinary tour through Vietnamese culture, tradition and history where you learn about the essential role of Vietnamese fish sauce, when and how herbs and spices are used and the role of the Vietnamese marketplace in everyday life. Includes a sit-down meal of the prepared menu items.
Red Bridge
Red Bridge tours feature a visit to the market or Tra Que vegetable garden and a leisurely river cruise. The Red Bridge Restaurant is romantically set on the river outside the main part of town in a serene environment that is perfect for sampling your handmade meal. It is open daily for lunch and for dinner by request. Guests get full use of the pool. Children under seven may follow the tour without charge.
Vy’s Market Restaurant
Ms Vy’s Market Restaurant is perfectly set up for demonstrations, tastings and hands-on food preparation with its diverse stalls reflecting every aspect of Vietnamese cuisine. From the Taste Vietnam Street Food Tour to the Advanced Masterclasses there’s something for everyone and way too many options to list here. Check out the excellent website below for full details of cooking classes, hours and prices.