Temari Sushi Making Class in a Cozy Tokyo Kitchen

Temari is arguably the cutest kind of sushi there is. Tiny rice balls topped with fish or seasonal vegetables, temari are bite-sized sushi that is fun to make, beautiful to look at, and delicious to eat.

The temari sushi-making class is led by a local home cooking enthusiast, Yuki, a Tokyo native who used to work in the culinary industry. Now, Yuki runs a cooking school from her grandma’s renovated kitchen, a wide and modern space where she follows her dream of sharing Japanese home cooking with the world. The kitchen is located in Tokyo’s Bunkyo ward, just one stop from Komagome Station and within walking distance from Hakusan and Sengoku Stations in a pretty and relaxed neighborhood.

During the temari-sushi workshop, you’ll learn the authentic way to cook sushi rice before getting creative with your sushi toppings. Yuki-san will guide you through the different flavors and textures unique to Japanese cuisine and the traditional cooking techniques necessary to make temari rice balls.

Yuki-san will also teach you about miso soup, a staple in any Japanese meal that is eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Made with dashi, a soup stock bursting with umami flavors, and mixed with miso, a paste made from fermented soybeans, this comforting soup is commonly served alongside most meals in Japan.

Don’t forget to take photos of your temari sushi and miso soup before the end of the class, and feel free to ask Yuki-san any questions about Japanese life, culture or home cooking. Before you leave, you’ll receive the recipes from the class to bring a taste of Japanese home cooking back with you to your own kitchen.