Kyoto Cooking Classes

Very interesting class!

My partner and I throughly enjoyed the 3 hour cooking class in Kyoto. Covering a full 7 course meal from appetizers, main courses and desserts. Learning along the way as to why certain ingredients are prepared the way they are to achieve a beautiful presentation and memorable flavor combinations. As someone who has always been a fan of Japanese cuisine, I can now say I feel confident diving further in.

I took a class with Bell to learn how to make okonomiyaki. Bell was very helpful in making a time that could work for me given I was only in Kyoto for a short period of time. Bell and I had exchanged messages prior to the class, and everything ran very smoothly during our meeting/pick up - All Bell's instructions were just as she said, and it was very easy to find her. Bell is lovely and welcoming and showed me how to make okonomiyaki step by step. She also gave me some good tips on cutting vegetables quicker! I appreciated that Bell made adjustments to make okonomiyaki vegetarian for me as I'd only been able to eat it once before due to the traditional meal having meat. I really enjoyed my class and the okonomiyaki we made was delicious! I can't wait to make it at home myself. I'd definitely recommend Bell to anyone looking to take a cooking class in Kyoto.

Food was superb. Instructors were knowledgeable, generous, and hilarious. So informative and so fun!!

This was one of the best cooking classes we have ever taken. There were 7 of us in total and each couple or individual had their own cooking station. We prepared most of the food on our own, although a few things were prepped for us to save time. Everything was explained clearly in perfect English and the kitchen area was immaculate and kept that way throughout the class. We cooked 6 different dishes in two shifts, enjoying one meal of our own making at the halfway point, and then cooking the three remaining dishes. The Fried chicken with salted plum and shiso leaf, and the pumpkin soup with miso and soy milk were among the highlights. The dessert, a matcha parfait sealed the deal! The staff were kind, helpful, funny and great hosts. We highly recommend this for cooks and eaters alike!

Everything was perfect. The chefs were friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. The recipes and techniques were easy to learn and everything tasted incredible. We loved this class and would like to do it again next time we come to Japan. We ate food all through the class instead of waiting till the end and definitely did not leave hungry!

My wife and I joined this izakaya cooking class. They showed us 6 dishes, which were a great introduction to some basic Japanese ingredients, and flavors - including a basic dashi and a couple of sauces. They explained in good detail, so you could recreate it at home if you wanted, and sent you home with recipes. It was fun, informative, and delicious all at once.

Aya, our host and instructor was full of smiles as we arrived at her beautiful, traditional home. Her husband was on hand when required but it was led by Aya. She talked about the dish we were going to prepare 'Okonomiyaki' and the difference between the local variety and the Hiroshima version. The room was spotless, and we sat at preprepared workstations as she talked us through the process. She asked lots of questions of us (I was there with my wife and a 13 and 18-year-old) - she involved everyone elegantly and effortlessly in the conversation. Her English was excellent. The cooking and prep itself were relatively straightforward, with a couple of slightly tricky moments in flipping the Okonmyaki on hot plates. Perfect for those seeking the fun of cooking Japanese food without the pressure of perfection! The food was delicious and we all ate our fill whilst enjoying an informative chat with Aya. She helped enormously with suggestions of where to go and where to avoid Kyoto. She even looked up a few map destinations and forwarded them after the class to my WhatsApp the next day. I also spoke with her husband, who was in a famous Japanese band in the 80s. He loves English rock - notably Pink Floyd and Deep Purple, so we enthused together about these and other iconic bands. I asked about his band - he disappeared upstairs and then gifted me one of his CDs. I can't wait to listen to it on my return. Overall I cannot recommend this experience enough. The family is delightfully welcoming, the conversation accessible and enlightening and the food delicious. We left with full stomachs, a recipe card each, a CD, and memories to treasure for a very long time. What a welcome to Kyoto.

Really enjoyed our tea ceremony, we got to experience what it is traditional like as well as making our own :)

We chose this activity to avoid the rainy weather and honestly would have done this even if the weather was perfect. Really nice group and helped us prepare every aspect of the meal from the noodles, meat, and soup. Would recommend this for anyone passing through the Kyoto area.

This class should be mandatory for every visitor in Japan! So much fun, so much pleasure to talk with someone from japan who will tell you so many things you would have never guessed about the culture, the people, and anything you are curious about. Of course the cooking part was also great, but the whole experience is much more than that. Thank you so much for the great experience!

My father and I thoroughly enjoyed this class! The relaxed atmosphere and hot tea whilst being gently guided through creating interesting dishes was such a lovely way to spend an afternoon. The dishes were varied, fun to create & absolutely delicious! Not only did we learn new culinary skills, but history and invaluable local knowledge on food, art, culture & sights to see. I would recommend any traveller to Kyoto to take part to enhance their stay in this beautiful part of the world!!