Cooking Classes in Kyoto

Japanese cuisine is very broad, so it is difficult to learn all its secrets in a single class. However, this experience is the beginning of a culinary adventure that you will remember forever. Cooking classes are one of the best things to do in Kyoto, so I recommend including them during your visit.

If you plan to tour the city in 3 days, you will have plenty of time to sign up for one of the Japanese cooking classes. There are different proposals, you can learn how to prepare typical dishes from the old izakaya bars, make your own bento box, join a tea ceremony in a traditional house or visit the Nishiki market and witness the preparation of more than 7 dishes.

Kyoto is a gastronomic paradise, where you can enjoy a variety of experiences that enhance Japanese food. In this cooking class you will have the opportunity to step into an authentic Japanese room to prepare your own dinner.

You can make about six local dishes and eat everything freshly made. This multicultural activity has an English-speaking guide, who will advise and accompany you during the process.

This style of cooking is inspired by izakaya bars, which are found around the world and offer a variety of typical dishes. In Japan they are known as afterwork taverns, as they offer tapas and drinks after a long day of work. Years ago their recipes were secret and the bars enjoyed prestige and a mysterious aura.

Nowadays citizens and tourists have the opportunity to experience izakaya food. However, it is still a fun experience, as in some classes you can run into original families who know all about the beginnings of this culinary style.

What I will do during this cooking class

This class is the perfect opportunity to prepare traditional dishes, as well as other mythical proposals that locals usually taste in their daily lives. You should tell your guide what your specific diet is, as this food has a variety of specialties including vegetables, meat, fish, yakisoba noodles and snacks marinated in local beer.

You may learn how to prepare grilled chicken and burdock dumplings, a delicious dish ideal for tasting if you are visiting the city with children. Note that seating is available for the little ones, so you can share the class as a family.

If you're not a red meat lover, you can try white meat, such as the chicken fried steak dish with salted plum and shiso leaf.

What are the advantages of signing up for this cooking class?

Walking through the streets of Kyoto, you will find local food stalls offering live tastings. However, there are usually crowds to appreciate the spectacle, making it difficult for you to learn how to prepare the dishes properly.

Izakaya food has its tricks and it is easier to learn from scratch in a personalized space with few participants.

If you go in a group, keep in mind that this class only admits a maximum of eight participants, so you will be comfortable and you can ask as many questions as you want.

Details of interest

• Price: from 67 € per person.
• Duration: approximately three hours.
• Means of transportation: does not include round-trip transportation.
• Advantages of this option: you will learn how to make five to six dishes. This experience includes apron and kitchen utensils.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is not a class suitable for a short one-day itinerary.

Many of Japan's food traditions have been altered over the years, yet Kyoto is one of the cities where customs have been maintained. By signing up for a bento box cooking class, you can learn how to prepare the perfect take-out meal.

The menu usually includes spring rolls, rice, chicken, vegetables and miso soup, all neatly arranged.

What I'm going to do during this kind of meal

Bento boxes are unusual packaging in the rest of the world, but they have great significance for the Japanese cult. They are black-painted wooden containers that you will see in many Kyoto eateries and restaurants.

Each box has compartments to avoid binding the food, as well as a quaint design. A bento box is not only the external appearance, it also stands out for its contents, usually with noodles or rice accompanied by protein and vegetables.

Typically, you will learn how to prepare Gomaae sesame salad, miso soup, sushi, tempura and teriyaki chicken, but the menu may vary depending on seasonal ingredients.

What are the advantages of signing up for this cooking class?

In many areas of Kyoto they sell take-out food in bento boxes, but the experience is not the same. Most food places just hand you the box, without explaining the process of preparation and distribution.

In a guided class you can prepare your own box, its nutritional content and learn the history of this particular Japanese bowl. It is something incomparable, since at the end you will eat what you have prepared.

Details of interest

• Price: from 67 €.
• Duration: about three hours.
• Means of transportation: you must travel by your own means, the best options are bus, subway, cab or car.
• Advantages of this option: after watching a demonstration, it will be your turn to cook.
• Disadvantages of this option: tips are not included, usually in Japan they are not asked for and are even considered an offense. However, in this kind of attractions they may suggest tipping, I recommend you to ask your guide and carry loose yen in your pocket.

Japanese tea was brought from China many years ago, its preparation underwent modifications, until it was adapted to Japanese culture. In Kyoto you will find ceremonies in tea houses that will introduce you to this interesting ritual.

It is an experience that requires active participation, as the process is complex, so it is important to ask questions. The guide speaks English, so you should be fluent in the language or have a translator at hand to be able to communicate.

As for Japanese tea, the best ones are usually:

• Sencha: it is the most used tea of daily consumption, in fact the Japanese use it to hydrate or accompany meals. If you want to visit Kyoto during the winter, I recommend drinking it hot. In summer, however, it is preferable to order the cold version.
• Sincha: it is a seasonal tea corresponding to spring. This drink is ideal because it has little theine and its flavor is more tender.
• Bancha: it is a strong flavor ideal to accompany the autumn activities in Kyoto, as it fits the mood of the season.
• Matcha: is the one you will taste in the tea ceremony class, it is one of the most traditional in all of Japan.

What I will do during this cooking class

Upon arrival you will receive instructions and a warm welcome, you can sit on the floor or on chairs, depending on your physical condition.

During the class you can take pictures without flash, but I suggest you concentrate so you don't miss any step. Through the tea ceremony, you will be able to thoroughly understand the history behind ancient Kyoto. Additionally, the itinerary of this class includes:

• Learning the steps of the tea ceremony from a professional instructor.
• Recognizing the best way to use the utensils.
• Properlydecorate the dishes.
• Tasting typical sweets, while tasting the tea you have prepared.

A curious fact is that matcha tea was brought from China, but nowadays it is almost not consumed in that country and it is more common to find it in the streets of Japan. That is why you should appreciate this experience, as it is very different from consuming matcha in any other country.

What are the advantages of signing up for this cooking class?

In Kyoto there are many cafes that offer matcha tea early in the morning, however it is difficult to know the exact time of the tea ceremony. In addition, some venues do not allow tourists to enter.

Although there are teahouses that you can go to for this experience, they are often overcrowded. By signing up for a Japanese tea ceremony class, you will be able to explore the ritual in depth and experience it up close, as the group is small and the experience is completely personalized.

Note that you can rent kimonos and participate in the class as a Japanese person. If you still prefer to venture out on your own, I will tell you that tea ceremonies are often organized in some of the best temples in Kyoto.

Interesting details

• Price: from 25 €.
• Duration: about forty-five minutes.
• Means of transport: you must move by your own means, the best options are bus, subway, cab or car.
• Advantages of this option: it is an experience that will bring you closer to Japanese culture, where you will create unforgettable memories.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is not suitable for people in wheelchairs.

Nishiki Market is not only one of the best food tours in Kyoto, it is also considered an ideal learning afternoon to discover the secrets of Japanese food. For three hours you can enjoy a guided tour of its facilities making stops at the best stalls in the area.

It is an extensive walking tour, so I suggest you wear comfortable sneakers, and of course, a lot of desire to eat. There is so much food in this market that it is difficult to choose. Don't worry! The guide usually prepares a gastronomic itinerary that adjusts to the season and your dietary needs (prior notification).

What I will do during this cooking class

You'll make stops at about twelve market stalls, some often giving away small snacks. Among the menu options are seafood, fruit preserves, sushi and other local dishes.

While preparing the 7 courses of your lunch, you can learn tricks about the food and observe in detail its elaboration process. Stay tuned as the guide will tell you about the harvesting of the most commonly used ingredients and how authentic Japanese food has survived modern changes.

On the block you will find family-run stores that have been in the market for years, the Japanese are usually chatty and if there are not many customers, they may tell you unique stories. I recommend visiting the city in December, specifically during the first few days, as the tourist influx is quite low compared to other months.

What are the advantages of signing up for this cooking class?

The Nishiki market is very large and some tourists can spend hours wandering its aisles, getting nowhere. Plus, it's hard to choose stalls with live demonstrations if it's your first time in the city. A guided tour of the grounds is one of the best things to do in Kyoto, as it offers a personalized experience away from the crowds.

It is an ideal family option for activities with children, who will not be bored, as it is one of the most lively environments in Kyoto.

Details of interest

• Price: from 180 €.
• Duration: about three hours.
• Means of transport: you must arrive by your own means, the best options are bus, subway, cab or car.
• Advantages of this option: you will have enough time to do your shopping, while you approach the best selection of market stalls.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is not suitable for people with health problems who cannot undergo long walks. Additionally, unlike other cooking classes, here you can only be a spectator, without the option of cooking.

• Please notify us if you have any allergies, intolerances or specific dietary requirements so that you can enjoy the class to the fullest.
• If you wish to do activities with children, please check in advance if the class is suitable for children.
• Respect the traditions of Japan! Japanese people are very nice and like to share their culture with visitors, but they may be offended if you perform a practice that goes against their customs. I recommend you to ask how to use chopsticks before eating, it is usually one of the most common mistakes.
• Ask for help if you have any additional questions, the guide and chef are there to guide you and make the experience enjoyable.