A while back, I had the pleasure of attending a Ramen and Gyoza cooking class at the Tokyo Cooking Studio, led by Chef Yukari. The experience was outstanding, and Yukari's warm hospitality made us feel right at home from the moment we stepped in. She skillfully engaged everyone, making the class both interactive and informative.
Yukari's expertise in Japanese cuisine shone throughout the session. Each of us contributed to the recipe, and her guidance ensured we learned the authentic techniques behind every step. From knife skills and proper cutting methods to sourcing the freshest ingredients, Yukari covered every detail meticulously. Her passion for Japanese cooking was evident as she explained the significance of each ingredient and shared valuable insights into traditional cooking practices. The final dishes—our ramen and gyoza—were nothing short of delicious.
Beyond just cooking, Yukari also offered us unique insights into Japanese culture. She recommended the best places to buy authentic Japanese knives, tea, and groceries—places that would be nearly impossible for a tourist to discover on their own. The sake she paired with our ramen was an impeccable match, elevating the meal further.
Overall, this was an incredible experience that I highly recommend to anyone visiting Tokyo. It was not just a cooking class but an immersive cultural experience. I can't wait to return and try Yukari's izakaya class on my next...
Read moreI recently had the pleasure of attending a ramen-making class, and it was an absolutely delightful experience! Our teacher was incredibly friendly and approachable, which made the atmosphere relaxed and enjoyable from the very start.
As we moved into the practical part of the class, the teacher was patient and attentive, guiding us step-by-step through the process of making the perfect broth and noodles. They encouraged us to ask questions and were always ready with helpful tips, making sure everyone felt confident in their cooking skills.
What truly stood out was the emphasis on experimentation. Our teacher encouraged us to taste as we went along and suggested different ingredients we could try to customize our ramen. This made the experience not only educational but also creative and fun!
By the end of the class, we had not only learned how to make delicious ramen but had also formed a sense of community with our fellow participants. Sharing our creations and enjoying a bowl of ramen together was the perfect conclusion to a fantastic class.
Overall, I highly recommend this ramen-making class to anyone looking to enhance their culinary skills while enjoying a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It was a delightful experience that I can't...
Read moreLocated in a very residential part of Shibuya, the studio is converted from an old garage. We meet the very jovial Yukari-San, who studied cooking in New Orleans and San Francisco before returning to her home country. The space is extremely well laid out and it can accommodate up to 8 students (my best guess), and we have a full class today. We start with green tea and then get put to work.
Aprons on, we make almost everything from scratch, including the ramen broth!. Each one takes turns doing prep, chopping, mixing, dumpling stuffing, which went into the ramen broth, gyoza, and black sesame ice cream (using tahini made from black sesame seeds). We each prepare our own bowl, cooking our noodles, ladling the broth, adding the toppings, etc. Yukari-San takes out some Yuzu chili sauce (yuzukosho), which I fell in love with. There is even sake flavored with yuzu. All very delicious!!!
Yukari-san shared a wealth of information, made it understandable to everyone in the class, even those who knew little about japanese cooking. She explained the origin of the dishes and their ingredients. I learned so much. Absolutely everyone visit Tokyo would enjoy this experience. Highly...
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