Cooking Sun — Local services in Kyoto

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the "Cooking Sun" bento cooking class in Kyoto with my family of four, and it was nothing short of amazing! This culinary adventure exceeded our expectations in every way.

From the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed by the staff. The cozy and traditional Japanese setting set the perfect ambiance for the class. Our instructor, who was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also patient and friendly, guided us through the art of crafting beautiful bento boxes.

We learned not only how to create visually stunning bento arrangements but also about the cultural significance and history behind this Japanese culinary tradition. Each step was hands-on, and our kids had an absolute blast decorating their own bento creations.

The ingredients were fresh, and we appreciated the emphasis on using local and seasonal produce. It was a delightful journey of flavors and creativity.

At the end of the class, we were amazed by the bento masterpieces we had made. Eating them was a joy in itself! We left with full hearts and even fuller stomachs, truly appreciating the art of bento-making.

I can't recommend the "Cooking Sun" bento cooking class enough for families or anyone looking to learn about Japanese culture and enjoy a fantastic culinary experience in Kyoto. It was a memory that our family will cherish forever. Thank you to the wonderful team at Cooking Sun for such a...

I had the most incredible time at Cooking Sun’s Izakaya cooking class in Kyoto. We learned to prepare six dishes, starting with the essential dashi (Japanese soup stock), followed by kinpira gobo, hijiki seaweed and lotus root miso salad, tofu meatballs with mushroom balsamic sauce, karaage, okonomiyaki, and a refreshing yuzu jelly to finish.

What made the experience truly special was the use of locally sourced ingredients, many of which I’d never seen back home in the US. The freshness and quality were outstanding. I also loved learning traditional techniques, like grinding ginger and roots using authentic Japanese tools. It gave me a real appreciation for the care and precision behind each dish.

The class was beautifully paced, with mini breaks to enjoy our creations and chat with fellow guests from France, the Netherlands, Australia, and Korea. It felt like a global dinner party, full of laughter, shared travel tips, and delicious food.

Plus, the studio’s location in the heart of Kyoto made it super convenient to find and easy to fit into a day of sightseeing. If you're looking for a hands-on, heartwarming way to experience Japan, I can't recommend Cooking Sun enough. It’s a perfect blend of learning, tasting, and connecting with food and...

I've done about 5-10 cooking classes across the world and this one rates very highly! There was excellent communication throughout, and especially with dietary requirements. We made 6 dishes - 3 starters, 2 mains and dessert - all of which were delicious. One of the things I liked was that we made a stock together and then each group got to make their own food at their own station (rather than everyone contributing to a group meal). The staff were great at explaining things and especially teaching us about more unusual ingredients. The only down side is that the afternoon session is at 2pm which is not quite lunch and not quite dinner time but small inconvenience when compared to the food and experience. There are also options to buy some of the equipment used. Would highly...