Claypot Hoi An — Restaurant in Hội An

My group and I came here to do a cooking class with Trang while on vacation.

With barely any reviews about the class and no website to look at, we were a little worried about how our time at Claypot might go, but this was easily one of the best cooking classes any of us have ever had the pleasure to be a part of.

What impressed us the most was Trang's sincerity and enthusiasm, which was inviting and infectious. From start to end, we felt engaged and welcomed as guests to her knowledge and her love for cooking. We were kept smiling and laughing as we listened to her stories and watched her interactions with the market vendors or her family back at the restaurant.

That said, the class itself is remarkably run. Trang's instructions were simple to understand and execute, and even in our larger group of 6, everyone had the chance to take part in every task and every dish. Trang's family and friends help to run the class and ensured that the environment was always meticulously clean - we were particularly impressed by how they thoroughly cleaned the equipment any time raw ingredients were handled, something that we've found is not usually well-handled in other, more hectic cooking classes.

We learned lots about the food, the ingredients that go into it, the processes that are used to get to the final product, and some of the local and/or historical context behind those things. Any questions we had, Trang was also open and excited to share her knowledge on. Even one of our party, an avid home cook of well over 30 years, walked away with an assortment of new techniques and ideas.

Last of all, the food was amazing. While it's worth learning their take on classic, well-known dishes like spring rolls and bun cha, it is also worth dedicating one or two of your four items to more homely, local dishes like the claypot chicken with sugarcane and pineapple, the ones that don't even have a well-known name but that's where you'll be most surprised.

We heartily recommend this cooking class to anyone who is genuinely excited to learn about cooking. Our only regret is that we did this class on the last day of our trip, so we didn't have a chance to come back and taste Trang's own cooking, which we're sure would've been marvelous.

Next time we're in Hoi An, we'll be...

Located in the heart of Hoi An, Vietnam, Clay Pot is a gem of a restaurant that embodies the essence of Vietnamese cuisine. My family and I had the pleasure of dining here twice, and both experiences were nothing short of excellent.

Run by a warm and welcoming family, Clay Pot exudes a sense of homey charm that immediately puts you at ease. The staff's friendliness and hospitality add to the inviting atmosphere, making dining here a truly enjoyable experience.

Now, onto the food – the star of the show. We indulged in their spring rolls and fresh rolls, and they were a revelation. Bursting with flavor and made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, each bite was a delightful explosion of taste and texture. The balance of flavors in every dish showcased the culinary expertise of the kitchen.

The authenticity of the dishes at Clay Pot is unmatched, providing a genuine taste of Vietnamese cuisine. From the fragrant herbs to the perfectly cooked meats, every aspect of the meal felt like a culinary adventure through Vietnam.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor to Hoi An, Clay Pot is a must-visit. Prepare to be transported to a world of delicious flavors and genuine hospitality – you won't be...

This sweet, family-run restaurant offered the best tasting Vietnamese food we’ve had the pleasure to try thus far—pure umami! We enjoyed the cuisine immensely, prompting us to request a cooking lesson. Our experience was intimate, featuring just us and the family, diverging from the large, touristy classes that have become the standard in Hoi An. Such a refreshing find in Vietnam! The owner allowed us to choose multiple dishes from the menu and accompanied us to the market to purchase the fresh ingredients before meticulously guiding us through the cooking process. She also provided a market tour, introducing us to several local fruits and instructing us on how to enjoy them. I highly recommend trying the pineapple, pork & sugarcane in a clay pot dish—it’s become my new favourite after savoring it here. You might find yourself eager to learn its preparation too! Ultimately, we spent nearly an entire day with this welcoming family, shopping, cooking, talking and delighting in play with their daughter thus gaining insight into Vietnamese cooking and lifestyle. This heartwarming encounter stands as one of our most cherished memories from Vietnam. We wish them the best of luck...