Ubud Balinese Cooking Class & Morning Market Tour Experience

Summary

Hands-On Balinese Food Workshop in Ubud with Market Visit

You’ll shop at a real Balinese market, learn to cook nine local dishes from scratch with a friendly chef, visit rice fields, and enjoy your own creations for lunch—all in one relaxed morning in Ubud.

What’s the experience like?

Roosters were already calling out when our driver picked us up from the hotel. The air felt cool, almost damp, as we wound through sleepy Ubud streets toward the morning market in Tampaksiring village. Our guide, Wayan, greeted us with a grin and led us straight into the bustle—vendors calling out prices, baskets of chilies and turmeric piled high. I caught the scent of fresh kaffir lime leaves every time someone brushed past me. If you’re curious about what locals actually buy for breakfast, this is where you’ll see it—tiny fried bananas wrapped in newspaper, and women haggling over bundles of lemongrass.

After the market, we stopped by a patchwork of rice paddies just outside town. The sun was starting to warm up by then, but there was still dew on the grass. Wayan explained how families plant and harvest together—he even showed us how to spot young rice shoots versus older ones ready for picking. Back at his family’s compound, we got a cold glass of sweet iced tea before rolling up our sleeves.

The kitchen smelled like toasted coconut and garlic as we started prepping spice paste—the base for almost everything here. We chopped shallots (my eyes watered), ground ginger with a stone mortar, and laughed when someone accidentally added too much chili. Nine dishes later—like Ayam Bumbu Bali (fried chicken with Balinese spices) and Tempe Manis (sweet fried tempeh)—we sat down to eat buffet-style under a bamboo roof. Everyone swapped stories about their favorite dish; I’m still thinking about that vegetable soup, honestly. Before heading back to the hotel, Wayan handed out printed recipes so we could try these at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ubud Balinese Cooking Class

• Pick up at hotel
• Visit morning local market
• Learn about rice cultivation and enjoy scenery
• Welcome drink with cold ice tea
• Make Balinese spice paste
• Prepare 9 Balinese recipes
• Enjoy buffet lunch at Balinese house
• Receive 9 recipe copies
• Return to hotel

Top questions

Is the market tour included for afternoon classes?

No, the traditional market visit is only available for morning classes since the market closes by afternoon.

Can vegetarians join this cooking class?

Absolutely! Just let us know your dietary preferences at least one day before your class so we can prepare vegetarian options.

Do you provide hotel pickup outside Ubud?

Pickup and drop-off are included only for hotels in central Ubud. For locations outside Ubud area, there’s an extra charge—just ask when booking.

Will I get copies of the recipes?

Yes! You’ll receive printed copies of all nine Balinese recipes to take home after class.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel transfers within Ubud center, all ingredients for nine Balinese dishes, a guided local market tour (morning only), rice paddy visit, welcome drink, buffet lunch or dinner featuring your own creations, bottled water throughout the experience, and printed recipes to keep. Vegetarian options are available if requested in advance.