Kyoto Cooking Class

Meet your guide at the machiya, just a 5-minute walk from the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Your cooking class takes place in this traditional Kyoto townhouse, where your instructional chef teaches you to make a healthy meal of Kyoto-style teriyaki chicken or a vegetable-based dish called obanzai (depending on your selection).

In this relaxed and friendly atmosphere with your small group, learn Japanese culinary secrets and cooking techniques. You’ll prepare several dishes — enough for lunch — that you can enjoy together at the end of your lesson. Afterward, explore Kyoto on your own or make your way back to your accommodation.

Option 1: Obanzai Enjoy cooking this traditional home-style meal, made up of several small and healthy dishes that are simple to prepare. You’ll use local Kyoto vegetables and plant-based foods, including fried tofu, bean curd and leafy greens such as spinach. Obanzai is typically prepared using fresh and seasonal ingredients, such as bright yellow rapeseed blossoms in spring and mushrooms during autumn. You will be amazed how Japanese vegetarian dishes can be so colorful and wholesome!

Please note: Obanzai is not 100 percent vegetarian cuisine. Your dish may use some eggs or fish (for soup stock), but meat and dairy products are not used.

Option 2: Teriyaki ChickenYour cooking instructor teaches you step-by-step to successfully cook teriyaki chicken with a shiny finish (without burning the skin!). In addition to this Kyoto-style dish, which includes grilled chicken flavored with soy sauce, as your main course, you’ll prepare misoshiru soup (soy bean paste soup) or osumashi (clear soup) along with a side salad and seasonal fruit.

Click on "View Additional Info" for the machiya location.