Bali Cooking Class Ubud: Market Tour & Balinese Recipes

Summary

Ubud mornings with market scents, banana leaves and laughter in the kitchen

You’ll start your day in Ubud’s lively market with a local guide who actually knows every stallholder by name. After gathering fresh ingredients, you’ll cook classic Balinese dishes together — folding banana leaves (not as easy as it looks), tasting spicy sauces, laughing over small mistakes. Lunch is what you make yourself, shared around a long table with new friends.

What’s the experience like?

“You want the freshest galangal,” Pak Nyoman said, holding up a knobbly root at the Ubud morning market. I just nodded — honestly, I wasn’t even sure what galangal looked like before this. The air was thick with clove and fried something (maybe tofu?), and old ladies were already bargaining over chilies at 8:30am. Our little group tried to keep up as Nyoman zigzagged between stalls, pointing out things we’d never see back home. I think I accidentally bought too many limes but no one seemed to mind.

Back at the open-air kitchen, we got snacks and sweet tea before starting the real work. There was a breeze but you could still feel the heat off the woks. I didn’t expect to laugh so much trying to wrap chicken in banana leaves — my folds looked nothing like Nyoman’s perfect triangles. He just grinned and said “practice makes tasty.” We cooked nine dishes, from minced seafood sate (sticky fingers!) to gado gado with peanut sauce that smelled like roasted dreams. Li laughed when I tried to say “Betutu” in Balinese — probably butchered it.

Lunch was just us around a big wooden table, eating what we made while roosters crowed somewhere nearby. The sweet corn with coconut milk was simple but somehow perfect after all those spices. I still think about that first bite of Nasi Goreng — smoky rice, crunchy shallots, a little heat that lingered longer than expected. They handed out recipe books and certificates at the end; mine’s already creased from being stuffed in my bag. Getting a ride back took a minute but one of the staff waved down a driver for me — everyone seemed happy to help, no rush.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Balinese cooking class experience

• Visit traditional market at 8:30 AM
• Explore ingredients at the market
• Go to cooking class location
• Enjoy snacks and drinks
• Start cooking class with 9 dishes
• Prepare starters and main dishes
• Cook desserts
• Have lunch with prepared dishes
• Receive cooking class certificate

Top questions

What time does the Bali cooking class start?

The class starts at 8:30 in the morning with a visit to the traditional market.

Is transport included after the cooking class?

No drop-off is provided but staff will help arrange transport for you if needed.

How many dishes do you cook during the class?

You’ll prepare nine different Balinese dishes during the session.

Is lunch included in this Bali cooking class?

Yes, lunch is included — you eat what you’ve cooked during the class.

Are vegetarian options available?

The menu includes several vegetable-based dishes like gado gado and green papaya salad.

Is this cooking class wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Do you get recipes to take home?

Yes, every participant receives a recipe book at the end of the class.

Are infants or small children allowed?

Infants can join; prams or strollers are welcome and specialized infant seats are available.

What’s included

Your day includes an early morning market tour in Ubud with your local guide, hands-on cooking lessons covering nine Balinese recipes, snacks and drinks before class starts, all ingredients provided, lunch featuring everything you’ve cooked together around a communal table, plus your own recipe book and a certificate to take home. Staff will happily help arrange transport when you’re ready to leave.