Immersive Cooking Class & Wet Market Tour – Chef Led W/ Private Cook Stations

Discover the vibrant culinary traditions of Vietnam through an immersive cooking class and wet market tour in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Led by a skilled chef, you’ll venture into the bustling Ben Thanh market, select fresh ingredients, and learn to prepare iconic Vietnamese dishes. With private cook stations, you’ll get hands-on experience crafting a multi-course meal, from savory staples to a sweet dessert. As you savor the fruits of your labor, accompanied by complimentary beverages, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the country’s rich food culture. But the experience doesn’t end there…

This experience made our list of the 20 Best Workshops And Classes In Ho Chi Minh City.

Key Points

• An immersive cooking class in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, guided by a skilled chef and featuring a visit to the vibrant Ben Thanh wet market.
• Participants prepare four iconic Vietnamese dishes and a sweet parfait dessert at private cooking stations with step-by-step instructions.
• The class culminates in a sit-down meal where participants savor the prepared dishes, accompanied by complementary alcoholic beverages.
• Participants receive an elegant Vietnamese cookbook with over 25 authentic recipes to extend the culinary journey beyond the class.
• The experience offers a seamless transition from the bustling market to the private cooking venue with convenient pickup and drop-off services.

Overview of the Experience

This immersive cooking class and wet market tour in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, offers participants a unique opportunity to explore the vibrant culinary traditions of the country.

Led by a skilled chef, the experience guides travelers through the bustling Ben Thanh market to select fresh ingredients before returning to a private cooking station to prepare four iconic Vietnamese dishes.

Under the chef’s expert guidance, you will learn essential techniques and skills to craft goi cuon (spring rolls), goi ga (chicken salad), bo bia (jicama rolls), and ca kho to (braised fish), as well as a sweet parfait dessert.

The class culminates in a sit-down meal where attendees can savor the fruits of their culinary labors.

Cooking Class Details

The cooking class takes place at a private venue, where participants gather around individual stations to prepare the Vietnamese dishes under the chef’s watchful eye.

The chef guides the group through the cooking process, demonstrating techniques and providing hands-on assistance as needed.

Participants will:

1. Cook four iconic Vietnamese dishes – goi cuon (spring rolls), goi ga (chicken salad), bo bia (jicama rolls), and ca kho to (braised fish).
2. Prepare a sweet parfait dessert called che dau xanh banh lot.
3. Taste all the delectable creations they’ve prepared, accompanied by complementary alcoholic beverages.

Wet Market Visit

Prior to the cooking class, participants begin their culinary adventure at the bustling Ben Thanh Market, where they’ll follow the chef to select the freshest ingredients for their dishes.

The vibrant wet market is a true sensory experience, with stalls overflowing with local produce, spices, and seafood. Under the chef’s guidance, participants weave through the crowded aisles, picking out ripe tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and shimmering fish.

The sounds of vendors haggling and the aromas of sizzling street food fill the air, immersing the group in the vibrant local culture.

This hands-on market visit sets the stage for an unforgettable cooking class, where you will transform these fresh ingredients into authentic Vietnamese specialties.

Dish Preparation

After selecting the fresh ingredients at the bustling market, participants then head to the cooking class venue where they’ll don their aprons and work at private stations under the chef’s watchful guidance.

Each person is equipped with all the necessary tools and receives step-by-step instructions to prepare four iconic Vietnamese dishes – goi cuon (spring rolls), goi ga (chicken salad), bo bia (jicama rolls), and ca kho to (braised fish).

The chef demonstrates proper techniques, from skillfully slicing vegetables to perfectly assembling the spring rolls, ensuring participants learn essential culinary skills.

As the aromas of simmering sauces and sizzling ingredients fill the air, the group becomes immersed in the art of Vietnamese cuisine.

The class includes:

1. Preparing four authentic Vietnamese dishes
2. Learning from an expert chef’s demonstrations
3. Hands-on cooking at private stations

Meal and Tastings

Once the preparation of the four Vietnamese dishes is complete, participants can finally savor the fruits of their labor as they sit down for a sit-down meal featuring all the culinary creations they’ve made. Complementing the delectable spread are refreshing alcoholic beverages, including a complimentary cocktail, allowing everyone to fully enjoy the flavors and aromas of Vietnamese cuisine.

Dish	Description	Flavor Profile
Goi cuon (Spring Rolls)	Delicate rice paper wraps stuffed with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a choice of protein	Light, refreshing, and packed with vibrant flavors
Goi ga (Chicken Salad)	A vibrant salad featuring shredded chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty dressing	Tangy, crunchy, and bursting with Thai-inspired flavors
Ca kho to (Braised Fish)	Tender fish simmered in a rich, caramelized sauce, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience	Savory, slightly sweet, and comforting

Cookbook and Recipes

As a parting gift, participants receive an elegant Vietnamese cookbook filled with over 25 authentic recipes, allowing them to recreate the dishes they’d prepared during the cooking class in the comfort of their own homes. This keepsake serves as a lasting memento of the immersive culinary experience, enabling travelers to:

• Explore the nuanced flavors and techniques of Vietnamese cuisine
• Impress friends and family with homemade spring rolls, chicken salad, jicama rolls, and braised fish
• Discover the joy of making a sweet parfait with mung bean and sticky rice

With this comprehensive recipe guide, the cooking class extends beyond the market and kitchen, empowering participants to continue their gastronomic journey long after their trip to Vietnam.

Meeting and Transportation

The cooking class and wet market tour convene at the iconic Ben Thanh Market in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, where participants assemble before being transported to the private cooking venue.

The group is ushered into comfortable vehicles and taken to a charming location, where they’ll spend the day honing their culinary skills. This seamless transition allows everyone to fully enjoy the experience, leaving the logistics to the expert organizers.

Along the way, travelers soak in the vibrant sights and sounds of the city, building anticipation for the hands-on cooking adventure that lies ahead.

The convenient pickup and drop-off services ensure a smooth and stress-free experience from start to finish.

Policies and Accessibility

This cooking class and wet market tour offers a range of flexible policies to accommodate travelers’ needs. Participants can cancel their booking for a full refund if they do so at least 24 hours in advance.

The group size is capped at a maximum of 15 travelers, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience. Unfortunately, the tour isn’t accessible for those in wheelchairs or with strollers, and service animals aren’t allowed.

However, the location is conveniently situated near public transportation options, making it easily accessible for most visitors to Ho Chi Minh City.

The tour includes:

1. Alcoholic beverages, including a complimentary cocktail.
2. A sit-down meal of all the culinary creations.
3. An elegant Vietnamese cookbook with over 25 recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Minimum Age Requirement for Participants?

The cooking class does not specify a minimum age requirement. However, participants should be able to handle hot cookware and sharp knives safely. Children may be allowed with adult supervision, but the class is best suited for ages 16 and up.

Can the Cooking Class Accommodate Food Allergies or Dietary Restrictions?

The cooking class can accommodate various food allergies and dietary restrictions. Vegetarian options are available, and the chef will work closely with participants to ensure their individual needs are met throughout the hands-on culinary experience.

Is There a Dress Code or Recommended Attire for the Experience?

There’s no formal dress code, but guests should wear comfortable, casual clothing that they don’t mind getting a bit messy in. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for safety in the kitchen. The focus is on the cooking experience, not fashion.

Can Participants Take Home the Dishes They Prepare During the Class?

Participants can take home the dishes they prepare during the cooking class. After cooking the 4 iconic Vietnamese dishes, they’ll sit down to enjoy a full meal of their culinary creations before departing.

Are There Any Additional Fees or Costs Beyond What Is Included in the Package?

Participants won’t incur any additional fees or costs beyond what’s included in the package. The class covers all expenses, from alcoholic beverages to the elegantly-presented Vietnamese cookbook filled with over 25 recipes they can enjoy at home.

Recap

Enjoy the vibrant flavors of Vietnam with this hands-on cooking class and market tour.

Led by an expert chef, you’ll explore the bustling Ben Thanh market, select fresh ingredients, and prepare four iconic dishes and a sweet dessert.

Savor the fruits of your labor over a sit-down meal, accompanied by complimentary beverages, and take home a Vietnamese cookbook to continue your culinary journey.