Private Ramen or Gyoza Cooking Class in Kyoto with Chef Midori
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Join Midori in her cooking studio for a traditional Japanese cooking lesson. You can choose one of the five set menus she offers. Midori teaches you Japanese dishes with simple and easy recipes that can be easily reproduced at home. You will watch Midori prepare local dishes using seasonal and traditional ingredients.
- Japanese cooking class in Kyoto with a local
- Learn to cook traditional Japanese dishes from scratch
- Discover Japanese ingredients and cooking styles
- Get insight into Kyoto's best restaurants and shopping recommendations
- A fun and relaxing, cultural and culinary experience
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Vegetarian, vegan, kosher and halal options are available, please advise at time of booking if required - our host can accommodate dietary restrictions if informed in advance.
Private, personalized experience
Please choose between 5 different set menu options and include it in the Special Requirements section of your booking
A cat resides in the home but remains upstairs during the class and does not enter the kitchen or dining area.
What To Expect
Midori has been teaching Japanese cooking for over 30 years and is a true expert in the art of Japanese cuisine. She warmly welcomes you into her cozy Kyoto cooking studio with a traditional cup of Japanese tea before introducing you to the essential ingredients that form the foundation of home-style Japanese cooking—soy sauce, mirin, sake, and miso. Join Midori for an authentic and immersive cooking class where you’ll choose from one of her thoughtfully curated set menus, featuring simple yet delicious recipes that are easy to recreate at home. The experience blends hands-on cooking with live demonstrations, as Midori guides you through preparing seasonal dishes using time-honored techniques and traditional ingredients. The cooking session lasts about 1.5 hours, followed by a shared meal where you'll savor the dishes you helped create. During the meal, Midori will share her favorite local restaurant recommendations and insider tips on where to shop for food and souvenirs in Kyoto. This is a relaxed, intimate experience—like cooking with a friend—and is perfect for couples, families, or anyone curious about Japanese food culture.
Sample Menu
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Menu 1: Teriyaki Chicken
(Teriyaki chicken or fried tofu steak, onigiri (rice ball), miso soup)
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Menu 2: Okonomiyaki
(Japanese pancake, onigiri (rice ball), miso soup)
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Menu 3: Takoyaki
(Octopus ball, onigiri (rice ball), miso soup)
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Menu 4: Gyoza
(Pan fry dumplings, onigiri (rice ball), miso soup)
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Menu 5: Pork Tonkatsu
(Pork or chicken cutlet), onigiri (rice ball), miso soup)
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Menu 6: Vegan or Vegetarian
Choose one of the menus listed which can be made vegetarian or vegan, including ramen and gyoza
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Menu 7: Ramen
Shoyu Ramen (Soy sauce ramen, Japanese fried chicken and onigiri (rice ball)
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Menu 9: Karaage
Japanese fried chicken, potato salad, onigiri (rice ball) and miso soup
Options
Cooking class and lunch
Cooking class and lunch with your host Midori.
Cooking class and dinner
Cooking class and dinner with your host Midori.
What‘s Included
Private cooking demonstration and meal with your host Midori N.
Local tips and recommendations about the best restaurants and shops in Kyoto!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
20 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Best Kyoto Meal
Christy B,May 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely delightful evening with Midori! We learned so many great secrets for several dishes and had a fantastic meal. Our meal with Midori was by far the favorite for our Kyoto stay. She is delightful, like visiting a friend and will share so many tips. Don’t hesitate, such a fun experience!
Home Cooking At Its Best
Matthew B,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a phenomenal time with Midori, learning how to make gyoza, miso, and tonkatsu. This is a longish class that lasted us 3 delightful hours and had very large portions. Come hungry and ready to learn.
Wonderful Cooking Class!
Nicoletravels2,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had such a great time cooking with Midori! So much fun and the food was delicious. Midori is so sweet too. We enjoyed spending time with her. Highly recommend!
Midori’s Kitchen is a welcome home away from home
DanielleH1904,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It’s a rare treat to come to Japan as a visitor and be able to experience a meal inside a Japanese home. The skills from the cooking class were wonderful, but the social aspect of chatting with a local was immeasurable. Midori is delightful, and a true gem. Thank you!
Midori is a wonderful...
Joyce M,Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Midori is a wonderful teacher and enthusiastic about passing on her knowledge and expertise. She was interested in us and our interests and gave us tips for the places we were visiting in Japan.
A fun cooking experience
Anthony S,Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Midori gave very specific advice on shopping related to our cooking wishes. We cooked two delicious meals with her. She was enthusiastic and experienced.
Midori A great chef and teacher of Japanese cooking
R3269YWdavidp,Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Midori was an excellent host and extraordinary chef. She taught us how to cook Gyoza Pork rice bowl and miso soup. Her preparations were delicious. We highly recommend her to anyone who wants to know what great Japanese cooking is all about.
Six stars if that were possible.
G8173AFmichaelc,Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved our cooking experience with Chef Midori. She made a beautiful meal with us, and above and beyond that she had many recommendations for restaurants and other activities. Regarding the cooking, her instructions were very clear. Regarding the recommendations, she continued to communicate with us when we had questions regarding the recommendations even after the cooking class throughout our stay in Kyoto. We would give her six stars if that were possible.
Midori and the cooking class unforgettable experience!
francescacR5618KS,Aug 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The cooking class with Midori was fantastic! He welcomed us into his home, first with a bit of chat about our trip leaving us a thousand local tips, sharing restaurants to try and places to visit! After that we started preparing dinner with her, she explained the recipes step by step, including the types of ingredients to buy, the pots to use .. everything! After preparing the 3 dishes that we had chosen we sat at the table with her and had dinner together, between chatter and laughter it was a pleasant evening
Escape hoards of tourist and experience Kyoto differently
IE V,Jun 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00If you like Japanese food do this course! Midori San is a legend and ever so unique! She is kind, welcoming and funny. More than that, she treats you like a long lost friend the moment you walk through the door. Her class is very interactive and you will definitely improve. We made tonkatsu, miso soup and onigiri and will be making it again when we get home. She will give you a glimpse into local culture, cuisine but also choice of ingredients and great tips for making do with Western ingredients. She gave us some marvellous tips for local shops and food places and actually helped us find a Japanese knife. Even if you are no good in the kitchen, this will be a cultural experience for you and it ends with a tasty meal. Highly highly recommend this to anyone who wants to experience Kyoto in more depth.
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