Best Cooking lessons in Kyoto

Japanese cuisine is vast, so it is difficult to learn all its secrets in one 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. 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 around six local dishes and eat everything freshly made. This multicultural activity has an English-speaking guide who will advise and accompany you through the process.

This style of cooking is inspired by izakaya bars, which are found around the world and offer a variety of local dishes. In Japan they are known as afterwork taverns, as they offer tapas and drinks after a long day's 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 meet 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 offerings that the locals often enjoy in their daily lives. You should tell your guide what your specific diet is, as this food has a variety of specialities including vegetables, meat, fish, yakisoba noodles and snacks marinated in local beer.

You may even learn how to prepare grilled chicken and burdock dumplings, a delicious dish to try if you're 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 joining this cooking class?

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

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

If you are in a group, please note that this class is limited to a maximum of eight participants, so you will be comfortable and can ask as many questions as you like.

Details of interest

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

Many of Japan's food traditions have changed over the years, but Kyoto is one of the cities where the customs have remained the same. By signing up for a bento box cooking class, you can learn how to prepare the perfect takeaway meal.

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

What I will do during this kind of meal

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

Each box has compartments to avoid binding the food, as well as a quaint design. A bento box is not only about the external appearance, but also about the contents, usually 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 joining this cooking class?

Many areas of Kyoto sell takeaway food in bento boxes, but the experience is not the same. Most food places just give 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 about the history of this particular Japanese bowl. It's incomparable, because at the end you get to eat what you've prepared.

Interesting details

• Price: from 67 €.
• Duration: around three hours.
• Means of transport: you must travel by your own means, the best options are bus, metro, taxi 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, they are not usually asked for in Japan and are even considered an offence. However, at this type of attraction they may suggest tipping, so I recommend asking your guide and carrying 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 tea house ceremonies 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 communicate.

As for Japanese tea, the best ones are usually:

• Sencha: it is the most commonly used tea for everyday consumption, in fact the Japanese use it to hydrate themselves or to accompany meals. If you want to visit Kyoto during the winter, I recommend drinking it hot. During the 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 is low in theine and has a more tender taste.
• Bancha: a strong flavour ideal to accompany Kyoto's autumn activities, as it fits the mood of the season.
• Matcha: the one you will taste in the tea ceremony class, it is one of the most traditional in 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 a step. Through the tea ceremony, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the history behind ancient Kyoto. In addition, the itinerary of this class includes:

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

A curious fact is that matcha was brought from China, but nowadays it is hardly consumed in that country and it is more common to find it in the streets of Japan. So you should appreciate this experience, as it is very different from drinking matcha in any other country.

What are the advantages of joining 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 joining 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 personalised.

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, tea ceremonies are often held at some of Kyoto' s best temples.

Interesting details

• Price: from 25 €.
• Duration: about forty-five minutes.
• Means of transport: you must travel by your own means, the best options are bus, underground, taxi 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 wheelchair users.

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 the market with stops at some of the best stalls in the area.

It is an extensive walking tour, so I suggest you wear comfortable trainers and, of course, plenty of food. There is so much food at this market that it is difficult to choose. Don't worry! The guide will usually prepare a gastronomic itinerary to suit the season and your dietary needs (with prior notice).

What I will do during this cooking class

You'll make stops at around twelve market stalls, some of which often give away small snacks. Menu options include seafood, fruit preserves, sushi and other local dishes.

As they prepare the 7 courses of your lunch, you'll be able to learn tricks about the food and observe in detail how it's made. 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 shops that have been in business for years, the Japanese are often 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 number of tourists is quite low compared to other months.

What are the advantages of joining this cooking class?

The Nishiki market is very large and some tourists can spend hours wandering through the aisles without getting anywhere. 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 personalised experience away from the crowds.

It's a great family-friendly option for activities with children, who won't be bored, as it's one of Kyoto's liveliest environments.

Details of interest

• Price: from 180 €.
• Duration: about three hours.
• Means of transport: you must get there by your own means, the best options are bus, underground, taxi or car.
• Advantages of this option: you will have enough time to do your shopping, while you get to see the best selection of market stalls.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is not suitable for people with health problems who are unable to undergo long journeys. 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 friendly and like to share their culture with visitors, but they may be offended if you do something that goes against their customs. I recommend asking how to use chopsticks before eating, as this is 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.