Experience Half-Day Cooking Class With Market Visit

Enjoy the vibrant culinary traditions of Vietnam through this engaging half-day cooking class. Discover the diverse regional flavors as you visit the lively Ben Thanh Market, handpick fresh ingredients, and learn from experienced chefs. Prepare a feast of authentic Vietnamese dishes, from hearty beef salads to delicate spring rolls. Hone your fruit carving skills and savor the flavors of your creations during a delightful dining experience. With recipes and a souvenir gift to take home, you’ll leave this class with a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of Vietnamese cuisine. Eager to uncover the secrets of this culinary adventure?

More cooking classses nearby

Key Points

Comprehensive introduction to Vietnam’s diverse cuisine, covering specialties from the north, south, and central regions.
Hands-on cooking class with a guided visit to the vibrant Ben Thanh Market to select fresh ingredients.
Preparation of a feast of dishes, including beef salads, spring rolls, sizzling pancakes, and fragrant chicken soups.
Participants learn traditional cooking techniques and showcase their newfound fruit carving skills.
Includes lunch or dinner, a recipe book, and a souvenir gift, with convenient central location pickup and dropoff.

It's also worth checking out some other tours and experiences nearby.

Overview of the Cooking Class

This half-day Vietnamese cooking class offers a comprehensive introduction to the nation’s diverse cuisine, tailored for beginners and showcasing specialties from the country’s three distinct regions.

With a badge of excellence and 75 glowing reviews, this class is a must-do for anyone seeking an authentic culinary experience in Ho Chi Minh City.

The morning and afternoon sessions include a visit to the lively Ben Thanh Market, where you’ll learn about the fresh ingredients that define Vietnamese cooking.

During the class, you’ll prepare a feast of dishes from the north, south, and central regions, culminating in a delicious lunch or dinner.

You’ll also receive a recipe book and a souvenir gift to take home, ensuring this experience lingers long after your trip.

Highlights of the Cooking Class

The cooking class offers a hands-on exploration of Vietnam’s diverse culinary traditions, guiding participants through the preparation of a mouthwatering feast from start to finish.

Students first visit the vibrant Ben Thanh Market, selecting fresh ingredients for their dishes.

Back in the kitchen, they’ll learn to craft specialty dishes from Vietnam’s three main regions – north, south, and central. From tantalizing beef salads and delicate spring rolls to sizzling pancakes and fragrant chicken soups, the class promises a delectable culinary journey.

And as the final touch, you will showcase their newfound fruit carving skills to create beautiful garnishes.

With recipes and a souvenir in hand, students leave this class with a deeper appreciation for Vietnam’s rich gastronomic heritage.

Culinary Regions Explored

Across the three distinct culinary regions of Vietnam – north, south, and central – the cooking class introduces participants to the unique flavors and cooking techniques that define each area’s distinctive cuisine.

In the northern region, the focus is on hearty, soulful dishes with complex broths and fermented ingredients.

The central region’s cuisine is marked by imperial influences, featuring delicate presentations and subtler flavors.

Meanwhile, the south is known for its abundance of fresh seafood, vibrant herbs, and the signature sizzling pancakes.

Sample Menu and Inclusions

A tantalizing menu awaits participants, featuring an array of beloved Vietnamese specialties across multiple courses. The starter offers a refreshing beef salad and an assortment of distinctive rolls accompanied by a special dipping sauce.

For the main course, guests can savor braised chicken, a sizzling pancake, and a comforting chicken noodle soup, all served with steamed rice or vegetables. The meal culminates with a delightful carved fruit dessert.

The cooking class also includes:

Lunch or dinner, complete with iced tea
A visit to the vibrant Ben Thanh Market
All necessary cooking ingredients
A recipe book and a souvenir gift to take home

Meeting and Pickup Details

Participants meet at the West Gate or Gate no. 5 of the renowned Ben Thanh Market on Phan Chu Trinh street, where the cooking class is operated by the Mai Home – The Saigon Culinary Art Centre. From there, the guided tour begins, inviting guests to explore the bustling market and gather the fresh ingredients needed for the hands-on cooking experience. The class conveniently picks up and drops off participants at this central location, ensuring a seamless and immersive culinary journey through Vietnam’s diverse regional flavors.

Meeting Point	Meeting Time	Pickup/Dropoff
West Gate or Gate no. 5, Ben Thanh Market	Morning/Afternoon Classes: 8:30 AM Evening Classes: 3:00 PM	Central location at Ben Thanh Market
Phan Chu Trinh Street, Ho Chi Minh City	Duration: 4-5 hours	Convenient for participants
Vietnam

Market Visit Experience

The bustling Ben Thanh Market in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City sets the stage for an immersive culinary adventure, as participants embark on a guided tour to uncover the vibrant sights, sounds, and aromas that define Vietnam’s diverse regional cuisines.

Under the expert guidance of the instructors, visitors navigate the maze of stalls, learning to identify a myriad of unfamiliar ingredients, from exotic herbs to vibrant produce.

Visitors will:

Witness skilled vendors expertly preparing fresh seafood, vegetables, and meats.
Interact with local shoppers and learn about the cultural significance of certain ingredients.
Immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere, taking in the bustling energy of this iconic market.
Gain a deeper appreciation for the culinary traditions that shape Vietnam’s renowned cuisine.

Cooking and Dining Experience

Upon returning from the bustling Ben Thanh Market, participants don their aprons and gather around neatly arranged cooking stations, eagerly anticipating the hands-on culinary experience that awaits. Guided by experienced chefs, they learn to prepare a variety of Vietnamese specialties, from the savory braised chicken to the delicate sizzling pancake. As they chop, sauté, and assemble their dishes, the aromas of lemongrass, fish sauce, and fresh herbs fill the air. The highlight of the class is the final feast, where participants savor the fruits of their labor, relishing the flavors of Vietnam’s diverse regional cuisines. With recipes and a souvenir gift in hand, they leave with a newfound appreciation for the country’s vibrant culinary traditions.

Dish	Ingredients	Preparation
Braised Chicken	Chicken, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger	Marinate, brown chicken, simmer in sauce until tender
Sizzling Pancake	Rice flour, coconut milk, turmeric, shrimp, pork, bean sprouts	Mix batter, cook pancake on sizzling skillet, top with fillings
Chicken Noodle Soup	Chicken, rice noodles, bean sprouts, lime, herbs	Simmer chicken in broth, add noodles and toppings
Beef Salad	Beef, lettuce, mint, lime, fish sauce, chili	Grill beef, toss with salad ingredients
Fruit Carving	Variety of tropical fruits	Use carving tools to create intricate designs

Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we think you'll like.

Cancellation Policy

Customers can receive a full refund if they cancel their booking at least 24 hours in advance, ensuring flexibility for unexpected changes in plans. This generous cancellation policy demonstrates the organizers’ commitment to providing a seamless and stress-free experience for all participants.

The policy offers several key benefits:

Peace of mind: Customers can book with confidence, knowing they’ve the option to cancel without penalty if necessary.
Convenience: The 24-hour window provides ample time to make adjustments to travel plans or personal schedules.
Hassle-free experience: Customers can focus on enjoying the cooking class without worrying about nonrefundable fees.
Exceptional customer service: The flexible cancellation policy sets the tone for a memorable and well-organized culinary adventure.

Not for you? Here's more of our most recent tour reviews happening neaby