The most popular place in Vietnam to take a cooking class is Hoi An. The old trading town has a proud culinary tradition and the area is excellent for exploring the fresh flavors of Vietnamese cuisine, with lively markets, vegetable gardens and rice fields. But choosing a cooking class in Hoi An can be difficult with so many different providers.
What does a cooking class in Hoi An look like?
There are dozens of cooking classes in Hoi An and which one to choose depends on your preference. Some are held in restaurants in the city, with a short crash course that takes just one hour, while others are a full day or half a day with activities such as motorcycling, cycling or sailing to fishing villages and visiting herb gardens. Do you want a class in the city or a rural environment? A restaurant or a house? Including a market visit? Do you prefer a demonstration or do you really want to do everything yourself? Do you want to learn the popular dishes or something that requires adventurous and culinary skills? One thing is certain: you will no longer be hungry.
Tips to watch out for:
- Duration of the lesson: 1 to 2 hours, half a day or full day.
- Market visit or not.
- Activities in addition to cooking: cycling, motorcycle tour, visit to craft villages.
- Cooking demonstration or do everything yourself.
- What do you want to cook.
- Vegetarian options available or not.
- What is your budget?
A visit to a market in Hoi An gives you the chance to learn more about the ingredients and tips on how to bargain.
At a craft village you learn how the land is cultivated and vegetables are grown.
You can also combine a cooking class with a bike tour in Hoi An where you explore the area and cycle along beautiful rice fields.
During cooking you learn how to make dishes and the basic ingredients that are used in many dishes in Vietnamese cuisine.
Best cooking class in Hoi An
Choosing the right cooking course in Hoi An can be difficult with so many offerings.
Red bridge
Red Bridge Cooking School and Hai Cafe (owned by the same owners) are among the most established cooking classes in Hoi An. They offer daily classes suitable for different interests. A big plus is that Red Bridge is located a bit outside the city in a picturesque setting along the river. Longer tours for more serious gourmets include a visit to the market and a boat trip.
Hoi An Eco Cooking Class
Hoi An Eco Cooking Class is full of fun activities. You not only learn to cook the best Vietnamese dishes, but you can also really enjoy experiencing the local lifestyle: negotiating at the local market, learning about ingredients, traveling by boat, sailing in a basket, participating in racing competitions, fish catch and visit a forest with coconut trees.
Green Bamboo Cooking Class
Green Bamboo offers a more personal cooking class experience than some than the more established cooking schools. The Green Bamboo cooking center is located in a private house near Cua Dai Beach, about 5 km from Hoi An’s old town. It is handy if you stay close to the beach, but it is also easily accessible from Hoi An.
My Grandma’s Home Cooking
The concept here is more rustic and local, more than the other cooking classes mentioned here. More focused on travelers who want a local experience instead of a slick cooking class. The lessons are given in the traditional house of the company owner on an island just outside Hoi An. The cooking tour can also be combined with a bike ride.
Taste Vietnam – Ms. Vy’s Cooking classes
Mrs. Vy owns a few restaurants, including Cargo, Morning Glory and Vy’s Market, all of which have good reviews. She is also behind one of the most successful cooking classes in Hoi An, but she no longer runs it herself. All kinds of classes are offered at Taste Vietnam, some for beginners who want to cook a little, others for more serious amateurs and for more professional chefs.
