The 6 Best Cooking Classes In Hoi An – 2022 Review

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Fresh herbs feature prominently in Vietnamese cooking. Almost every meal is accompanied by bountiful herbs which are torn, tossed or rolled into soups, noodle dishes, sandwiches or more.

While exploring the local food in central Vietnam, we took Hoi An cooking classes to better understand the fundamental ingredients of Vietnamese cuisine.

In the ancient city of Hoi An Vietnam, you’ll find several cooking classes and culinary activities.

Most cooking classes offer visits to the central market or to nearby villages. 

The cuisine of Vietnam beguiles and charms. Here are 6 of the best cooking classes in Hoi An to consider on your Vietnam travels.

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Best Hoi An Cooking Class Comparison Table

Hoi An Cooking ClassesPrice
($ USD)
Start TimeDuration (hours)Best For
Cooking with Jolie in Hoi An – Real Cooking Class$38.988:00 am5 hVietnamese home cooking
Water Wheel Cooking Class$528:00 am or 1:30 pm5 hTra Que vegetable village tour
Hoi An Eco Cooking Class$31.499:00 am or 2:30 pm5 hVisit Cam Thanh village with crab fishing
Market Tour, Boat Ride, Cooking Class$358:30 am or 1:30 pm5 hMarket tour and boat ride
Gio An Cooking Class$509:00 am3 hFlexible menu and schedule
Sabirama Cooking Class$46.168:00 am or 1:00 pm5 hAll-in-one Experience
Prices for these cooking classes in Hoi An are shown in Vietnamese Dong (VND).
We provide USD conversion at the time of writing. Prices might vary slightly when you book your class.

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Top Cooking Classes in Hoi An

1. Cooking with Jolie in Hoi An – Real Cooking Class

Vegetarian Cooking Class Hoi An by Authentic Food Quest
Learn to use organic fruits and vegetables for the most authentic flavors

Your host Jolie, a professional chef, will teach you real home Vietnamese cooking in a fun and engaging way. 

In this 5-hour cooking class with Jolie, you’ll visit an organic farm, meet the farmers and pick up fresh ingredients at the central market.

You will have a taste of Hoi An local coffee, like iced black coffee, coconut coffee and also green tea and ginger tea. 

After that, you will head back Jolie’s home, where the real fun begins. You will meet with the other two chefs and her mother and learn about Vietnamese food culture and the key ingredients.

Together, you will learn to four traditional Vietnamese dishes and one dessert. Vegetarian alternatives are available.

The menu varies, though you can expect to make fresh rice paper spring rolls, Pho nooodle soup, rice pancakes, fish and more.

This Hoi An cooking class is focused on healthy fresh and organic fruits and vegetables. As such, all the produce you’ll cook with will be organic for the most authentic tastes.

As you get immersed into the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine, you’ll also learn about the importance of balancing flavors.

The class ends with a variety of fresh fruits and different fruit juices for a healthy and delicious sweet finish.

For a real Vietnamese home cooking experience, this is one of the best cooking classes in Hoi An.

Cost: About $38.98 per person  

Time and Length: Approximately 5 hours. Class starts at 8:00 am 

Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English

RELATED: Your Guide To The Best Food in Hoi An and Authentic Restaurants

2. Water Wheel Cooking Class

Garden of Tra Que Village by Authentic Food Quest
Fresh organic herbs and vegetables at Tra Que village

Water Wheel Cooking Class is located in Tra Que vegetable village, known for nationally for its nutritionally rich and aromatic herbs.

Taking a cooking class in Tra Que, while exploring the local food specialties in Hoi An, was one of our highlights in the city.

This Tra Que village cooking class experience is quite extensive. It begins with visiting the organic farm and watch farmers talk about Vietnamese herbs. 

You’ll learn about the history of the vegetable village and why the herbs are so famous throughout Vietnam.

The cooking portion of the class involves learning to make several Vietnamese recipes. You’ll make spring rolls, main courses like fish in banana leaves or Vietnamese pancakes. 

Fruit salads and fruit juices are also on the menu. And, vegetarian and vegan options are available.

In addition to the traditionally prepared dishes,you will also have a chance to ride a water buffalo. 

A bamboo basket boat ride including a head-shoulder-foot massage are also part of the unique experiences.

The Tra Que vegetable village cooking experience ends with an incredible sit down Vietnamese lunch made by you.

If you are looking to gain a deeper appreciation for Vietnamese herbs, consider Water Wheel cooking school.

From meeting farmers, visiting a herb garden, buffalo and bamboo boat rides and amazing Vietnamese dishes, this Hoi An cooking class has it all.

Cost: About $52 per person  

Time and Length: Approximately 5 hours. Class starts around 8:30 am or 1:30 pm 

Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English

Watch our Hoi An Cooking Class in Tra Que Village

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3. Hoi An Eco Cooking Class

Crab Fishing Best Hoian Cooking Class by Authentic Food Quest
You’ll have the opportunity to try catching crab

This fun Hoi An Eco Cooking Class takes place in the picturesque Cam Thanh village, about 5km away from Hoi An old town.

Immersed in peaceful rural surroundings, you’ll first visit a local market and then set sail on the river in a traditional basket boat.

These boats, known locally as “Thung Chai” are used for crab fishing. You’ll have the chance to try catch crab while sailing on the canals of the Bay Man Nipa forest.

Back in the kitchen, you’ll learn about Vietnamese culinary culture while cooking with local professional chefs.

You will cook delicious dishes like spring rolls, papaya salad, chicken noodles, shrimp crackers or banana flower salad with beef. 

You will also learn to make fresh rice flour using a stone mortar, an ingredient used in the rice pancakes. 

The secrets of how to make the much loved Vietnamese peanut sauce will become apparent as you make it yourself.

And, the recipes will be available to take home, so you can taste Vietnam again in the comfort of you own kitchen.

This Hoi An Eco cooking class is best for those who want to experience the real rural Vietnamese life.

Cost: About $31.49 per person  

Time and Length: Approximately 5 hours. Classes start at 9:00 am or 2:30 pm

Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST RECIPE: To whet you appetite as you prepare for your Hoi An, travels, learn to make a simple Vietnamese dipping sauce. Get the recipe Best Authentic Vietnamese Peanut Sauce Recipe For A Creamy Dipping Sauce

4. Market Tour, Boat Ride and Cooking Class

Beef Bo La Lot for Hoi An Cooking Class by Authentic Food Quest
Beef Bo La Lot – Beef wrapped in betel leaves ready for grilling

Located in the countryside of Hoi An Vietnam, this cooking class offers unique local culinary experiences. 

A visit to a local producers’ market will start the cooking school experience. You’ll  bargain with vendors and get to see stalls full of seasonal fruits, herbs, noodles, vegetables, meats and fish. 

After that, you will have a trip on Thu Bồn River in a bamboo basket boat, through the coconut palm forest. 

Locals will teach you how to fish with a fishing net as you listen to traditional folk music. 

Your immersion into local Vietnamese culture continues as you head to the kitchen to make traditional dishes. 

You will learn to make at least four different Vietnamese dishes for either lunch or dinner depending on the class you choose,

The menu may include learning to make fresh rice paper rolls, pho noodles, sweet bean soup and others. Recipes can also be adapted for vegetarian, vegan or other dietary preferences.

You’ll get personalized attention from the chef, making this one of the best hands on cooking classes in Hoi An.

Cost: About $35 per person  

Time and Length: Approximately 5 hours. Classes start at 8:30 am or 1:30 pm

Group Style:  Small group cooking classes conducted in English

RELATED: The 14 Most Delightful Popular Vietnamese Desserts to Indulge In

5. Gio An Cooking Class

Tam Huu cooking Class Hoi An by Authentic Food Quest
Exquisite Tam Huu, a Hoi An local specialty

Offering traditional Vietnamese cooking at its best, this Gio An Cooking Class offers the most flexible cooking experience.

In this Hoi An cooking class, you have full freedom to decide what you want to learn to cook. The menu is flexible and you choose what you want to learn to make, or create your menu. 

From a full selection of 32 dishes, you can choose to learn to cook four traditional foods, or choose two dishes out of 15.

Not only the menu is flexible, but the schedule as well. Starting from 8:00 am, you can join the cooking course at any hour you want, until 8:00 pm. 

Happy Hanh and Vina are the professional chefs that will guide you through this cooking adventure. 

The experience begins with a visit to a local market to get familiar local ingredients and sample tropical fruits. 

In the class, the chefs will lead you step by step as you learn traditional Vietnamese cooking techniques and methods.

Examples of dishes you’ll learn to make include Banh Xeo, rice paper rolls and dipping sauce, lemon grass chicken and more. You’ll leave with a copy of the recipes to recreate the dishes at home.

For those who already know Vietnamese cooking or want to learn how to cook particular dishes, this class offers total flexibility.

This is one of the best cooking classes in Hoi An for personalized menus and cooking experiences.

Cost: About $50 per person  

Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Class starts around 9:00 am 

Group Style: Small group class, minimum two people, conducted in English

RELATED: Your Guide to Vietnamese Street Food: 20 Local Foods Worth Trying

6. Sabirama Cooking Class

Sabirama Cooking School Hoi An by Authentic Food Quest
Enjoy a boat trip on Thu Bon river – Photo credit: Sabirama on Facebook

At Sabirama Cooking School you will delight in a local experience in the countryside, in the village of Cam Thanh.

This cooking class in Hoi An combines Vietnamese small adventures before cooking.

You’ll visit a local market for an introduction to Vietnamese ingredients including fresh herbs, vegetables, meat and seafood.

To get to the cooking school, you will take a boat ride, along the Thu Bon River. Then, enjoy a fascinating experience being pulled in a water buffalo cart to arrive at the school.

Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed with a foot, head and shoulders massage, a common practice amongst Vietnamese people.

During the class, you will learn how to prepare four local dishes. Mango salad with shrimp and pork, rolled rice paper with minced pork and vegetables, Pho Bo and Vietnamese chicken curry will delight your senses. 

Another Vietnamese delicacy is the dessert, the sticky rice cake, a local cake you should definitely try. Vegetarian and vegan options are available as well. 

The schedule is flexible to fit your traveling plans. There are morning and afternoon classes available for your convenience.

If you are looking for the complete Vietnamese cooking experience, Sabirama Cooking Class is your answer. Market tours, a river cruise, water buffalo ride, massages and a cooking school in one place.

Cost: About $46.16 per person  

Time and Length: Approximately 5 hours. Classes start around 8:00 am or 1:00 pm

Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English

RELATED: The 5 Best Cooking Classes In Saigon – 2022 Review

What to Consider When Choosing Cooking Classes in Hoi An

These best cooking classes in Hoi An all offer authentic Vietnamese cooking expereinces. 

Some classes dive deep into the traditional cuisine, while others offer you a vast menu or great adventures.

As you plan for your Hoi An cooking class, here are a few things to consider.

What Kind of Hoi An Cooking Class Experience Do You Want?

Rosemary and Claire preparing the soil in Tra Que Village by Authentic Food Quest
Rosemary and Claire leveling the soil in preparation for planting

During our trips in Hoi An, we were delighted to learn to make and taste the authentic Vietnamese dishes.

Choosing the perfect cooking class has to be based on your personal tastes and preferences.

Would you prefer a morning class or an evening one?

Would you like to take a trip to the market before the class to get better acquainted with the local products?

Do you want a mix of cooking and little adventures to farms, boat rides and fishing experiences?

Are you an adventurous person? Would you enjoy riding a buffalo, for example?

Based on your personal preferences, make sure you choose the one that suits your taste.

What Is Your Budget for Your Hoi An Cooking Classes?

Claire and Rosemary Eating at the end of their Hoi An Cooking Class Authentic Food Quest
Enjoying the delicious efforts of our Hoi An cooking class

These cooking classes in Hoi An cooking differ in experiences as well as in budget.

The best Hoi An cooking classes range  from about $30 to $52 USD.

All cooking classes in Hoi An continue to  adhere to Covid safety guidelines.  And, the cooking classes have a free cancellation policy that allows you to opt out up to 24 hours in advance.

The cooking sessions take about 5 hours to complete, including the market tours and boat trips. And, most offer morning and afternoon cooking classes.

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80 Comments on “The 6 Best Cooking Classes In Hoi An – 2022 Review”

  1. My husband and I really love cooking! However, living in a van just hinders us from going all out sometimes! This cooking class might be a great experience for us both given that Vietnam cooking requires just a few ingredients at a time that makes it perfect for a life on the road!

    Reply
  2. Cooking classes are such a great way to discover the cuisine of a country, plus you get to eat all the yummy foods after!
    Those cooking classes all sounds like a lot of fun!

    Reply
  3. I’m hoping to go to SE Asia in 2020, and taking a cooking class somewhere in the region is definitely on my list. I love that this one started with planting and cocktails!

    Reply
  4. This cooking class looks amazing! I love Vietnamese food in general, and talk of all those herbs and vegetables got my mouth watering! It sounds like a great class in Hoi Anh, will definitely consider it if I ever return.

    Reply
  5. Such a neat experience! And those dishes are gorgeous! I love that the cooking class starts with time in the garden. It’s so important to be connected to our food, and of course, it’s much easier to feel connected when you come across ethical farming. I’ll absolutely try out this cooking experience if we ever make it to South East Asia (someday!).

    Reply
  6. We never got around to doing this when we were in Hoi An, which I really regret as I adore Vietnamese food. Its also a great way to interact with locals and learn more about their culture. Next time for sure.

    Reply
  7. Woah! I would have definitely run in fear if the pan erupted into flames like that! Haha! It seems like you had a really great farm-to-table experience. I bet the flavours were out of this world!

    Reply
  8. Woah this is so cool! And you look like you’re having so much fun! I’ve never taken a cooking class abroad before (or actually ever), so that would be a fun thing to try in the future!

    Reply
  9. What a wonderful experience you had. One of the main reasons I love Vietnamese food is because of all the fresh herbs that are in their cuisine. It’s so refreshing and delicious. I hope to have a similar experience like you some day!

    Reply
  10. I love taking cooking classes when I travel and this one looks like so much fun. I love Vietnamese food but I have never tried cooking it. That cocktail sounds amazing too.

    Reply
  11. Friends of ours are in Vietnam and did a cooking class in Hoi An too!! I hope they did this one, it looks phenomenal. I love all of the fresh herbs and ingredients in Vietnamese cooking, it makes for some of the most delicious food. You both certainly worked hard for all of dinner, with the farming and food prep. Chef Danny looks like a hoot, and an excellent chef. Shall remember this for a future visit.

    Reply
  12. Wow, there are so many cooking classes in Hoi An! I did one a few years ago and learnt to make Vietnamese spring rolls. It got me hooked on those fresh healthy spring rolls since. I’ll definitely check out some of these next time I visit.

    Reply
  13. I think it is a great idea to take a Hoi An cooking class to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine. Great that the Tea Que village has made a commitment to producing produce without toxins and chemicals. Certainly will give you a much better taste. So good that they put you to work before your cooking lesson! Your menu certainly sounded tasty. And interesting to learn that prawns, pork and herbs are referred to as the “three friends”. Looks like a lot of fun.

    Reply
  14. I’ve had very little experience with cooking classes, and especially one this comprehensive. I’m impressed with the culinary experience offered you, from a farm tour to planting your own garden plot to learning how to prepare several recipes. I’ll bet this was a highlight of your visit.

    Reply
  15. Ladies, you look right at home in traditional Vietnamese farming outfit. I love Vietnamese food, but never thought of going to cooking lesson even when I was there a a couple of years ago. I like the fact that this Hoi An cooking class combined a farming tour and a cooking class at Tra Que Minty Garden. I think it’s amazing that they’ve been using seaweed as fertilizer for more than 300 years! It is indeed a great way to recycle nature’s resources. The “three friends” dish looks so yummy and healthy, especially with all that leafy herbs.

    Reply
  16. What a wonderful experience you had. The food looks so delicious and the presentation is so beautiful.
    It was very interesting to read about the different things that they do in their culture verse the American way.

    Reply
  17. I’ve never tried Vietnamese food, but I’m sure it’s delicious. Fresh herbs have always been a key ingredient in cooking, so I am not surprised to hear it’s used abundantly in the Vietnamese food as well. I’d love to try one of those Tra Que cocktails sometimes.

    Reply
  18. Cooking classes are a great way to get to know a culture. I never would have thought that seaweed or algae would be used as manure. Everything sounds delicious and I love the presentation of the Tam Huu

    Reply
  19. That looks and sounds like a wonderful experience, given that Vietnamese cuisine is one of the world’s greats. It’s all in the herbs and Tra Que Village must have been so educational. Plus those dishes you made are not the run of the mill phos!

    Reply
  20. Looks like you guys have fun. I love to enjoy good food in each country like this cooking class. Vietnamese cuisine is not familiar one but sounds delicious sure I would like to check it out.

    Reply
    • This was truly a fun cooking experience. If you are not familiar with Vietnamese cuisine, we highly recommend checking out a Vietnamese restaurant in your local area. You will be surprised by the amazing and flavorful dishes. Thanks, Swathi.

      Reply
  21. This would be so fun to experience! I am all for trying new foods and exploring different cultures. I love the idea of seeing how the local food is grown, it really connects even more to the people in the area.

    Reply
  22. How AWESOME! I have been to Hoi An before but we did NOT do a cooking class there. We actually did one in Hanoi! I kind of wish we did one in Hoi An now too! haha! Guess I just have to go back!

    Reply
  23. It looks like you had an absolute blast! I think it would be fun to do something like this. I love international foods and I love exploring the different flavors of different parts of the world.

    Reply

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