Ramen, Gyoza & Onigiri Cooking Class Kyoto

Overview

This hands-on ramen cooking class in Kyoto teaches the part of ramen most people never learn: the broth. In a small studio a short walk from Sanjo Keihan Station, friendly English-speaking instructors show you how to build a rich soy sauce broth and a deep miso broth from everyday ingredients, how to balance a juicy gyoza filling and fold each dumpling so it seals perfectly, and how to press neat triangular onigiri rice balls. Groups are capped at eight cooks, so everyone gets attention at the stove. After about 100 minutes you sit down to eat everything you made, with coffee or tea, and leave with recipes for ramen and gyoza. It suits food lovers aged 12 and over who can cook on their own; there is no hotel pickup.

Highlights

• Make soy sauce ramen and miso ramen broth from scratch
• Learn the ideal gyoza filling and the pleated fold that seals it
• Shape onigiri, the rice balls Japanese people eat every day
• Small group of up to 8 cooks with English-speaking instructors
• Eat the full meal you cooked, with coffee and tea
• Take the ramen and gyoza recipes with you
• Central studio a two-minute walk from Sanjo Keihan Station
• Three start times: morning, midday and afternoon

Itinerary

1. Check-in at the studioArrive 15 minutes early near Sanjo Keihan Station for a short introduction, name cards, aprons and hand-washing.
2. Ramen broth lessonPrepare soy sauce and miso ramen broth step by step with your instructor, about 30 minutes.
3. Gyoza makingMix the filling, fold your dumplings and pan-fry them to a crisp golden base.
4. Onigiri shapingPress rice balls by hand and wrap them with nori.
5. Eat togetherSit down to the ramen, gyoza and onigiri you made, with coffee or tea; recipes are shared before you leave.

What's included

• English-speaking cooking instructors
• All ingredients and cooking equipment
• Soy sauce ramen and miso ramen broth made from scratch
• Gyoza filling, folding and pan-frying
• Onigiri rice balls
• The meal you cook
• Recipes for ramen and gyoza
• Coffee and tea

Not suitable for

• Children under 12 years
• Wheelchair users
• People with gluten intolerance
• People with recent surgeries
• Guests needing halal, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free or other special diets

Meeting point

Meet directly at the cooking studio on the basement floor (B1) of a building one street back from the main road, a two-minute walk from Sanjo Keihan Station in central Kyoto. If you come by taxi, ask to stop at the convenience store at Sanjo Keihan and walk two minutes. We send you the exact map location with your booking. Please arrive 15 minutes before the class: the door locks at the start time and late arrivals cannot be admitted.

Important information

• Minimum age is 12, and every participant must be able to cook without help.
• Two menus only: regular, or vegetarian (pork replaced with tofu, other ingredients unchanged).
• Gluten-free, halal, vegan and other special diets cannot be accommodated; the regular recipes use pork and lard.
• Arrive 15 minutes early (09:45, 12:15 or 14:45); the door is locked at the start time.
• Only one reservation per group: duplicate bookings under the same name are cancelled.
• Only booked participants may enter the studio; it cannot be visited as an onlooker.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you do not mind cooking in.
• Noodles are not made in this class; the focus is on the broth.