Discover the culture behind ‘Izakaya’ Japanese dining which is similar to pub food in the other countries during a 3 to 3.5-hour cooking class with dinner in Kyoto. Learn five or six of the popular home dishes during a session with a master chef before preparing and eating your own izakaya-style creations. It’s the perfect chance to explore the country’s cuisine beyond the typical sushi and teriyaki offerings. Your izakaya cooking session also includes all ingredients, an instructor and an apron.

A 3-hour Izakaya-style cooking class in Kyoto
Watch demonstrations by master chefs
Learn Japanese seasoning techniques as well as how to prepare dashi, Japanese soup stock
Cook five or six dishes following a chef’s instructions
Eat what you cook when you’re finished
Take the recipes home and cook these dishes for friends and family

Sample Menu

Main

Grilled chicken and burdock meatball

Main

Deep-fried chicken fillet with salted plum and shiso leaf

What's Included

Dinner
All ingredients for cooking
English-speaking cooking instructor
Apron

Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Cooking Sun
679 Funayachō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8466, Japan

Start time

02:00 pm

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Take a deep dive into Japan’s culinary traditions as you learn to prepare home dishes which are not too familiar to you but are popular at home or casual restaurants in Japan. During your course, you’ll have the chance to learn preparations of typical izakaya favorites from a master chef before trying your hand at making (and eating) some of your own.

Start your izakaya cooking experience at 2pm at the designated cooking studio located in beautiful traditional wood house in Kyoto, the location of which will be provided at the time of booking. Begin your izakaya session with an introduction to the history and origins of this lesser-known Japanese culinary tradition.

Many historians believe the origin of izakaya dates back to 18th century when rice had been taxed to brew sake. The culture of izakaya evolved in Edo era when sake bottle shop started to serve dishes as well as sake to promote their sake. Now, izakaya is often used as a venue to have small parties at a reasonable budget throughout Japan from young adult to elderly.

Continue your cooking lesson with an introduction from your chef to the ingredients and techniques that define the izakaya tradition. After following along with the instructions and demo from your English-speaking chef, grab your knife as you try your hand at making some authentic Japanese home dishes of your own. Learn how to make dashi, the typical Japanese soup stock, before learning to prepare a variety of dishes. Some typical izakaya favorites include spinach with sesame sauce, teriyaki yellowtail, vegetable chowder, mushroom tempura and rice with vegetables. Please note that your class menu may vary from the above, as the dishes are adjusted based on the availability of seasonal ingredients.

Finish your izakaya cooking session by sitting down with the other participants to enjoy your dishes for dinner. Leave your session with the recipes so you can prepare them for friends and family in the future.

Click on View Additional Info for cooking studio location.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
A maximum of 8 people per booking
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveller Photos

Featured review

Dreamer12494035717

The class was fun. We learnt to cook 7 dishes which were delicious. The instructors were friendly and attentive, it got a little chotic at times which sort of added to the joyful nature. The food was simple but delicious and I feel confident that I could try making them at home myself.

Reviews

5.0

124 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 124 reviews

Tasty and attentive.

Barry_L, Sept 2023

Japanese cooking was one of a few "must-do" activities on our trip. But we had to be careful because of food allergies (celiac). From our first contact through the entire interactive experience, the staff were very attentive to our special needs. And the food was delicious!

Best travel experience ever

Anne_S, Sept 2023

Keiko and her team were organized, welcoming, explaining clearly in a way that was relaxed and fun. I learned so much and the food was all delicious! I truly enjoyed every moment. The space was comfortable and the equipment was clean and easy to use. They thought of EVERYTHING! We made a variety of items and I believe I can replicate them at home. It was hands on and fun.

Fun and delicious

Sue_D, Aug 2023

Using the variety of ingredients necessary to create this type of food was fascinating. We had a really friendly small group of five and our instructor was so knowledgeable and helpful. I highly recommend this experience. The food was delicious, too!

Lots of fun

Michael_J, July 2023

Instructors were knowledgeable and kind. Food was delicious! Got to experience a lot of different recipes with fresh ingredients.

Take this class!

Jennifer_M, July 2023

Wonderful class! Yoriko was fantastic- we learned so much and ate really well- loved it! Yoriko lived in the US and the UK and gave us great advice on where to buy the best ingredients to recreate the dishes we made in class. We made dashi and ponzu - 6 dishes and even homemade Japanese ice cream- fantastic class!

Yummy and fun cooking class!!

Emily_E, July 2023

This class was so much fun! The instructors were very friendly and knowledgeable, and the food was really good. It comes fully equipped with ingredients and tools, and it flowed so smoothly that you hardly believe three hours went by!! Be aware- there is no air conditioning, so in summer it was quite warm.

Nice food experience.

Gail_T, June 2023

Trying different foods was great. Disappointed that some of us had to share some processes as not enough equipment for each person.

Excellent and Enjoyable Cooking Class!

Karla_K, June 2023

Iko and Mai were amazing! Their class was chock full of delicious Japanese recipes that were thoughtfully planned and easily followed. Each of the six pairs of participants had their own induction cooker and stools to sit on for the three or so hours we were there. Sign up for this class today!

This cooking class was...

Lisa_M, May 2023

This cooking class was really fun! Our two teachers were very prepared and made the class move quickly. The seven dishes we prepared were delicious and easy to follow. Thank you, Cooking Sun!

Fabulous cookery class

Karen_Y, Apr 2023

This was a brilliant introduction to Japanese cooking. We loved it. Food was delicious. We cooked loads of things and could be replicated when we go home. Would highly recommend .

A fun and engaging cooking experience

Craig_P, Mar 2023

This class deserves all of the great reviews. The hosts are terrific, and we had a really enjoyable afternoon learning to cook some simple and tasty dishes. I highly recommend it.

A treasure

Khaya_H, Mar 2023

My daughters (12 and 15) and I did this wonderful cooking class with Yoriku. She has to be one of the nicest people I ever met in my travels. It was a small group and very personal. Yoriku with her apprentice were so patient with my teen girls (they have very little cooking experience). It was so much fun and we learned so much on Japanese style cooking. It was so helpful with Yoriku giving us tips on alternatives for what to use in our home countries too. Thank you! The food is the best souvenir and memory to bring back. With all our time in Japan this was our favorite thing and the best cooking experience overseas. Don't miss it if you are in Kyoto, absolutely worth it, and such a treasure.

Do this class!

Jill_R, Mar 2023

What a fun 2 hours making ramen noodles and eating the result! The instructors were delightful and the entire class was fun!

Delicious and fascinating!

Terence_G, Mar 2023

My 14 year old daughter and I both succeeded in making several delicious dishes - less surprising for her but more for me! Our teachers helped us learn both the basics of Japanese home cooking and a few neat twists. They have arranged the space perfectly for each person or pair to have all the tools needed. I would highly recommend joining sun cooking for a lesson!

Highly recommended

Jesse_A, Feb 2023

Very enjoyable time. Kind and knowledgeable hosts. Explained historic and seasonal aspects to the cooking ingredients. Highly recommend.

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thank you for your kind comment! We are glad that you had a good time.

A Fantastic Cooking Class!

Drew_R, Feb 2023

This was one of the most organized and well thought out cooking classes we've enjoyed in our travels around the world! The food was easy to make, yet delicious and authentic. Our instructor was easy to understand and friendly. Highly recommend taking this class!

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thank you Drew for your kind words! We are glad you enjoyed our cooking class!

So delicious!

Nicole_M, Jan 2023

What a fun class! Two other couples joined us in making a lot of really tasty food. We loved everything we made. Momo was an excellent teacher and my husband and I are excited to go home with some simple yet flavor packed recipes to make again and again. Thank you for the wonderful experience.

YUMMY and FUN!

Julie_E, Jan 2023

So much fun! Small group, 5+ dishes you cook and eat. Friendly and informative instructor. Highly recommend for an afternoon of food and fun!

Fantastic fun!! Highly recommended!

Charo_D, Jan 2023

My family took two classes at Cooking Sun, Izakaya food & Bento box. Both were really terrific--my family's favorite activities in Kyoto. Great environment, really nice staff, tasty food, lots of laughter. You cannot go wrong with this group. Seriously, book it!

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Thank you for your kind message, Charo sensei. Look forward to seeing you again in Kyoto!

Cooking experience was...

Erika_O, Dec 2022

Cooking experience was very organized, accessible, clean, fun, and delicious! No advanced cooking skills required and very family friendly.