Seasonal Home Cooking Class in Kyoto

Put on your apron and get cooking at this creative Kyoto kitchen. The menu doesn’t include sushi, gyoza, or ramen — instead, you will use seasonal ingredients to prepare lesser-known but equally comforting foods that capture the essence of Japan’s flavors. The host will share some of their original recipes, and, what’s best, you can take this knowledge with you and replicate your favorite ones back home! Your cooking instructor will gather from their experience working at an organic restaurant and in the catering business to provide you with an authentic home cooking experience. First, they will introduce the menu and walk you through the steps before you get cooking. Once the meal is ready, you can enjoy the delicious lunch you prepared. The whole experience takes approximately three hours. If you are lucky and the host has more students booked for the day, you might also make new Japanese friends, since this class is loved by locals too! The menu changes monthly to make the most of the fresh ingredients available each season. For instance, yuzu, a tart citrus fruit typically available in winter, is used in several dishes in February. No matter the month, however, you will learn about some of Japan’s staple dishes, like tofu (in March), Japanese-style omelet tamagoyaki (in April), and more. If you want to cook with and like a local during your time in Kyoto, you simply can’t miss this experience! Sample menu for February 2024: Yuzu-flavored fried chicken Yuzu daikon (radish) Daikon mochi with bacon and cheese Spinach and grilled shiitake mushrooms with yuzu soy dressing Please note that the contents of the menu are subject to change depending on availability and seasonality. Apart from cooking, this experience offers a unique opportunity to learn more about local customs through direct communication with the host, who is eager to share insights and fascinating details about Japanese culture.