Hoi An Market to Kitchen: Review of a Half-Day Cooking Class

So, you’re thinking about checking out a cooking class when you visit Hoi An, Vietnam? Is that right? The ‘Hoi An Half Day Market to Kitchen ‘ cooking class could be something for you, as it’s what many people recommend. Now, after taking the class myself, I wanted to share my thoughts, so you get a real feel for what it is all about and if is suitable for you.

First Stop: Hoi An Central Market

Basically, things begin with a stroll through the lively Hoi An Central Market, which in a way is where you get to experience the local vibe firsthand. Right off the bat, our instructor was just awesome, guiding us through the maze of stalls with tons of interesting facts and tips. Arguably, this isn’t just some quick walk, you get to learn a great deal about local ingredients, seeing a whole assortment of vegetables, herbs, and spices that I couldn’t even name before, as I was saying, the experience felt very authentic. This place is filled to the brim, and I do feel you’d miss many things if you came here on your own without any real context, which, again, this trip offers.

Often, things can feel pretty hectic at the market, as you are shoulder-to-shoulder with locals doing their everyday shopping, and many, many other tourists just like you! So, to get the best from your tour, listen to your guide, soak it all in, and remember that things will be busy. Don’t feel that the crowds will lessen later in the day, either. The early bird gets the worm. Anyway, our guide helped us choose only the freshest items for our recipes. A pretty valuable insight, is that this little experience can come in handy if you plan on doing further cooking later on in your vacation! This gives you the opportunity to remember how to select some of the basic building blocks for many, if not most, dishes in the local cuisine.

Next Stop: A Relaxing Boat Trip

Following the market visit, we went on a leisurely boat ride, as a matter of fact, this proved to be a super welcome break from the hustle of the market. In some respects, it was just nice to sit and take in the nice views of the riverbanks as we traveled. It felt nice being gently moved down the river towards the cooking school, which I was very excited to see! The gentle breeze and views offered just enough peace before the cooking lesson, a really lovely, easy part of the morning.

Time to Cook: Getting Hands-On

Alright, the cooking portion is, like, the part that everyone waits for, I mean you booked a cooking tour so it would be a little silly if it wasn’t. After arriving at the cooking school, the instructors helped us get acquainted with all the tools and the day’s recipes. So, the really nice thing about this particular class, is that everyone gets their own cooking station. This means that you aren’t fighting for some space while someone else is cutting veggies or whatever! Everyone has their own little spot, and all the tools you require are in arms reach! I found this really awesome and helpful. With everyone having the right things in the right spots, we could really pay attention to the actual important parts of the dishes themselves.

First, there was the demonstration from the head chef, and everything was clear, well-paced, and really very informative. Every single one of our questions was handled professionally. That is to say that it’s clear that they are very happy to help, and extremely willing to do so. Don’t be afraid to jump in with any queries or if you are even just a bit confused; the staff here really want you to get things right. In the same way, if they think that you are doing something wrong, expect that they will, correctly and professionally, offer their guidance and steer you back on course.

Very quickly, we were busy making things such as fresh spring rolls, papaya salad, and a really interesting dish with pancakes that I couldn’t quite catch the name of. Of course, everyone got the chance to taste their creations after cooking, which made the whole experience even more satisfying. Usually, the reward for hard work is more hard work, not so here! Enjoy the literally fruits (and veggies!) of your labor and taste the delicious dishes. Oh and the great thing is you can then easily recreate the recipes at home.

Overall Experience: Was It Worth It?

At the end of the class, I feel pretty comfortable saying that this ‘Hoi An Half Day Market to Kitchen ‘ experience is money well spent. Typically, what sets it apart is the combination of culture, cooking, and cuisine, all brought together in one great package. This isn’t simply a cooking lesson, arguably you also gain some insight into Vietnamese culture, visit local marketplaces and experience the real Hoi An.

The instructors went that additional step, and the whole thing felt very authentic and not something just for tourists. Very few of these types of classes allow this much personal time, in your own space, which I feel very strongly adds to the whole experience and helps solidify it in your mind. Not only this, but everyone taking part was like-minded. You are all interested in the cuisine, therefore conversations are flowing very easily from start to finish. This made for an easy, and pleasant social element that you wouldn’t get simply going to eat in a restaurant.

Some things I think are good

• Great Value: You get a market visit, a boat ride, and a cooking class for the price.
• Hands-On: I am being serious when I say, this wasn’t some cooking demonstration, where I watched other people cook; I really cooked myself!
• Delicious Food: It’s worth pointing out that everything tasted fantastic, a welcome sign that the food and recipes taught were truly wonderful.

Final Thoughts

This half-day excursion really stands out, that is to say it isn’t just a cooking class, but more a really captivating introduction to Vietnam, Hoi An’s cuisine and culture. From seeing ingredients in the market, the tranquil boat ride, to learning cooking techniques first hand and finally eating, every aspect had depth and fun. Actually, if you’re up to trying some food when in Vietnam, consider putting this at the top of your list. Anyway, I can now cook pretty great Vietnamese cuisine. If you’re traveling, check it out. Actually, I would highly recommend!

Category: Food

Tags: Hoi An, cooking class, food, market, Vietnam, travel