Best Tokyo Cooking Class Experience: Baking with a Nutritionist

Are you planning to visit Tokyo and looking for a unique experience to add to your itinerary? Why not consider taking a cooking class with a nutritionist? Not only will you learn how to make delicious Japanese baked goods, the history of different dishes and typical ingredients you’ll find in a Japanese pantry. 

During my solo trip to Japan, I went to Tokyo’s suburbs to participate in Yuko’s baking and cooking class. She is a nutritionist and it was inspiring listening to her journey of how she got into her food career, running cooking classes and spending a year in the UK to learn how to speak English.

What to expect in a baking class with a nutritionist

She’s a genius when it comes to baking! The way she creates art and cute characters are lovely! You can see her passion for the work that she does. I got to be a student and learn a lot of new baking techniques from such a brilliant teacher. She showed me three different types of miso paste and some Japanese foods she had in her fridge.

When you sign up for a baking class with Yuko, you can expect a hands-on experience that is both fun and informative. During the class, she will guide you through the process of making a variety of baked goods, such as bread, cakes, and cookies. Along the way, she will explain the nutritional benefits of each ingredient, share typical breakfast and lunch meals Japanese eat, food and history stories.  You’ll also learn traditional baking techniques and tips that you can apply to your baking at home.

What did I cook during the cooking class?

I opted to make shokupan bread (Japanese milk bread) and a traditional Japanese lunch featuring miso soup, Tamagoyaki (egg rolls) and onigiri (rice balls) with Yuko. However, she does offer other menu options like cute Meronpan characters (bear and sheep bread) and will accommodate your dietary needs.

shokupan bread (Japanese milk bread)

shokupan bread (Japanese milk bread)

I loved the fact that this experience was in her own home, it felt homely and comfortable. This was a really good opportunity to see the interiors of a Japanese home! I love technology in Japanese homes in general. Yuko has an oven in her kitchen that speaks to you literally! It caught me off guard and at first, I thought it was some background noise from the tv but it was her oven. It has spoken requests to turn food during cooking. The oven speaks when the door is opened or closed and speaks confirmation of functions selected and cooking time. The time remaining is spoken at the press of a button at any stage whilst cooking.

The automatic features are astonishingly good, better than anything I have ever seen. I hope I can get an oven like that in the future. We exchanged some cultural differences regarding how we prepared food for Christmas and new year. We spoke just about everything from life to Japanese perception of western culture, and the typical Japanese diet, to spending her time briefly in the U.K. Aside from conversing about our cultural difference between the U.K. Nigeria and Japan, it was a genuine eye-opener!

Where to book the cooking class I did in Tokyo

I booked her cooking class through Airbnb experiences! I Would recommend her class if you’re planning to travel to Japan in the future! You can watch my vlog on IGTV and see in action what we got up to.

Cute Japanese bread characters

cute Japanese bread characters

Top 5 cooking classes in Tokyo

When choosing a cooking class, there are a few things to consider. First, you’ll want to make sure that the class is taught in English, or that there is an interpreter available. You’ll also want to look for classes that are hands-on and provide plenty of opportunities for you to practice your cooking skills. Finally, you’ll want to look for classes that use high-quality ingredients and provide recipes that you can take home with you. Below are some of the best cooking classes in Tokyo that offer a truly unforgettable culinary experience.

1. ABC Cooking Studio

ABC Cooking Studio is a popular cooking school with multiple locations throughout Tokyo. They offer classes in various categories, such as Japanese cuisine, bread-making, and cake-making. They also offer classes for all levels of expertise, including beginners. Their classes are held in a friendly and relaxed environment and focus on using fresh, seasonal ingredients.

2. Cooking Sun

Cooking Sun is a cooking school that offers a range of classes, including Japanese home-style cooking, sushi-making, and bento-box making. Their classes are held in a bright, modern kitchen in Tokyo’s heart. You will learn how to make dishes such as teriyaki chicken, okonomiyaki, and matcha desserts. They also offer a market tour that takes students to Tsukiji Market to buy ingredients for their cooking class.

3. Tokyo Kitchen

Tokyo Kitchen is a cooking school teaching traditional Japanese home-style cooking. Their classes are held in a traditional Japanese house in the heart of Tokyo, providing a unique and authentic experience. Students will learn how to make dishes such as miso soup, tempura, and sushi. They also offer a market tour that takes students to Tsukiji Market to buy ingredients for their cooking class.

4. Harajuku Cooking Class

Harajuku Cooking Class is a cooking school that specialises in teaching you how to make traditional Japanese sweets. Their classes are held in a small, cosy kitchen in the trendy Harajuku neighbourhood of Tokyo. You will learn to make sweets such as wagashi, dorayaki, and matcha desserts. The class also includes a tea ceremony that provides a unique and authentic experience.

5. Tokyo Sushi Making Tour

The Tokyo Sushi Making Tour is a unique cooking class that takes students on a tour of Tsukiji Market and teaches them how to make sushi. The tour begins with a visit to the market to purchase fresh fish and other ingredients. Then, students will learn how to make sushi in a traditional Japanese-style kitchen. This tour provides an immersive and authentic experience that is sure to be unforgettable.

Have you had a culinary experience in another country? Comment below.