Taipei Market Secrets & The Taiwanese Risotto Experience

About

This cooking class will start by following an easy walk of a traditional market and Dadaocheng area, the most prosperous area in Taipei 170 years ago.

油飯 (Youfan, which means Oil Rice), is also called Taiwanese Risotto, as the cooking way is very similar to the Italian gourmet. This is a delicious food for many different ceremonies, like offering to gods, and children's birthdays.
As this is a yummy food, nowadays Youfan has become a traditional breakfast for Taiwanese.

菜頭貢丸湯 (Radish and Meatball Soup) captures the essence of a mother’s touch, this dish is good company for Youfan. Different families have different ways of cooking this popular soup but all of them cook with traditional Taiwanese taste.

By mastering these two quintessentially Taiwanese dishes, even if you’re not in Taiwan, you’ll still immerse yourself in Taiwanese culture's warm and inviting essence.

Menu

• 09:30-12:30 on Every Tuesday

《About this class》

Discover the flavors, stories, and rich culture of old Taipei, located in the historic Dadaocheng district. Your experience begins with a guided street and market adventure, where you’ll explore local ingredients, learn about traditional Taiwanese food culture, and soak in the charm of this vibrant neighborhood.

With a maximum of just six participants, each class is intimate, interactive, and designed for authentic hands-on learning.

Chef Alex — warm, friendly, and passionate about sharing — teaches in English, Mandarin, Hokkien, and even a bit of Japanese, making the class welcoming to guests from around the world. You’ll prepare every dish from scratch and gain practical skills you can bring home with you.

《What to cook》

《Dish One: Taiwanese Risotto》

The Taiwanese Risotto (Youfan) is deeply connected with Taiwan’s food history. People here always cook Youfan as a gift for God’s offering, to friends, and relatives. Youfan also represents a symbol to announce to all neighborhoods that a baby was born.

《Dish Two: Daikon Radish, and Meatball Soup》

This soup beautifully reflects the wisdom of Taiwanese mothers, with its two perfectly paired ingredients enhancing the flavor in a way that captures the essence of a mother’s touch. Even if you’re not in Taiwan, you’ll still be immersed in Taiwanese culture’s warm and inviting spirit.

"What's Included:"

• A complimentary apron featuring an exclusive logo designed by "BeMyGuest Taipei."
• A selection of beverages: soft drinks, coffee, tea, soda, or beer.
• Recipes provided in English, Japanese, or Mandarin (via digital files).

《Before you book》
#Each class requires a minimum of 2 participants. If we don’t reach the minimum, don’t worry—we’ll contact you in advance and offer a reschedule or a full refund at your convenience.

#Come along with your kids (under 12 years old), it'll be free of charge if they don't cook. And they can share your food. If your kids enjoy cooking, please reserve seats for them.#To ensure a safe and focused learning environment for all participants, only registered guests are permitted to join the cooking session. We kindly request that children without a booking do not participate in or assist with the cooking process. However, they are more than welcome to relax in our dedicated resting area, provided the class remains undisturbed. We appreciate your understanding in helping us maintain an intimate experience for everyone.

Schedule

• 09:20 am: 10 minutes before the class, please wait at the central entrance of 十連棟 Ten-Connecting- Buildings, this is a historical building near Taipei Bridge in the northern part of Dadaocheng.
• 09:30 am: Historic Dadaocheng and traditional market walking tour with local stories
• 10:00 am: Back to BeMyGuest Taipei cooking class 
• 10:05 am: Tea, coffee time
• 10:10 am: Basic tastes of Taiwanese food 
• 10:15 am: Taiwanese Risotto cooking
• 11:30 am: Enjoy your dishes and free communication
• 12:30 pm: End of the cooking class