Ikebukuro Home Cooking Class (Tamagoyaki and Sushi Rolls)

Japan has a long history of unique home cooking traditions. Washoku, the term for Japanese traditional recipes and eating habits, has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. In this lesson, you'll learn to make two staples of washoku cuisine: sushi rolls and tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet). You'll then enjoy them with matcha green tea and wagashi sweets! Makizushi, the official name for sushi rolls beloved overseas, often features simple ingredients: rice, seaweed, vegetable, egg, or meat fillings. Healthy and delicious, these colorful sushi rolls are loved by adults and children alike. Tamagoyaki is a sweet and savory rolled omelet found in nearly every bento box in the country! Your host, Chef Odaira, has more than ten years of experience working at a Kappo restaurant as a chef and later decided to start teaching cooking lessons to share the joy of cooking. He holds cooking classes for people with disabilities and works to support their independence. After getting to know your instructor and classmates, you'll get an overview of the ingredients and process. Your host will demonstrate how to make sumeshi (sushi rice), and you will make sushi rolls (maki) with ingredients prepared in advance. This class is not just about cooking, you'll also learn many interesting cultural insights, like the significance of dashi in Japanese cuisine and how to use it. An English-speaking guide will ensure communication with the chef throughout the class.  After the lesson, enjoy the tamagoyaki omelet and the fresh sushi rolls you made. You'll also learn to make matcha green tea and enjoy it with wagashi sweets. As a souvenir, take home a set of recipes to make again at home. This lesson will be at your host's home near Ikebukuro, one of Tokyo's most pop-culture-loving neighborhoods. Packed with anime-related shops, arcades, and shopping malls, this is the perfect place to explore the city after making and enjoying your meal.