Kyoto Bento Box Cooking Class: Make and Eat Lunch

Roll sushi, fry tempura, and sit down to eat what your hands just made

A 3-hour bento box cooking class in central Kyoto where you learn to prepare traditional Japanese dishes (sushi rolls, tempura, miso soup, teriyaki chicken and sesame salad) from a live English-speaking instructor, then eat the lunch you've cooked. All ingredients, an apron and instruction are included. The class takes up to 8 people at a time.

The experience

You arrive at the kitchen in central Kyoto and the chef walks through the five dishes that make up a traditional bento box: gomaae sesame salad, miso soup, teriyaki chicken, tempura and a sushi roll. The demonstration shows you the technique: how to roll without tearing the nori, how to get the tempura batter to crisp, how to balance the flavors in the broth. Then the kitchen is yours. You work through each dish in turn, the instructor circulating to catch mistakes and explain the cultural background of the bento itself, which comes from an old Japanese word for convenience. The box is designed so every component sits in its own section, making the meal portable and balanced all at once.

Once everything is cooked and plated, you sit down and eat what you've made. The class runs 2.5 to 3 hours total, so there's time to move through the cooking without rushing and still have a proper meal at the end. The group stays small, no more than 8 people, which means the chef can watch what you're doing and adjust the pace if someone needs an extra minute on a technique.

What’s included

• All ingredients for the five dishes.
• an apron.
• a live English-speaking cooking instructor.
• and the bento lunch you prepare and eat at the end of the class.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to6h before

GroupUp to 8 · max 4 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Cooking Sun

Is this one for you?The class is in central Kyoto and reachable by public transportation, so you don't need a car or a hotel pickup to get there. Book it for a free afternoon and walk out with a skill and a full stomach.

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Top questions

What dishes do I actually cook in the bento box class?

You make five dishes: gomaae sesame salad, miso soup, teriyaki chicken, tempura and a sushi roll. The chef demonstrates each one first, then you prepare them yourself under instruction.

Do I eat what I cook, or is it just a lesson?

You eat the bento lunch you've made. After the cooking is finished, you sit down and have the meal as part of the class.

How long does the whole class take?

The class runs 2.5 to 3 hours, which includes the demonstration, your hands-on cooking time and the lunch at the end.

Is the instructor in English, or do I need to speak Japanese?

The instructor speaks English throughout the class, so language is not a barrier to learning the techniques.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

All ingredients for cooking, an apron and the English-speaking instructor are included. You don't need to bring anything except yourself. Just let the organizer know about any dietary requirements when you book.

How many people are in the class at once?

The class takes a maximum of 8 people per booking, which keeps the group small enough for the chef to give individual attention.