Kyoto: Izakaya Cooking Class & Japanese Pub Dishes

Summary

Kyoto izakaya cooking class with dinner and local chef guidance

You’ll roll up your sleeves in a Kyoto kitchen to cook classic izakaya dishes like grilled chicken meatballs and deep-fried fillet with salted plum. Share laughs around the table as you eat what you’ve made together, guided by a local instructor who brings Japanese pub culture to life. It’s hands-on, warm, and honestly fun — perfect if you want more than just sushi.

What’s the experience like?

We walked into the kitchen in Kyoto and it smelled like soy sauce and something toasty — not sure what, but it made me hungry right away. Our instructor, Emi-san, greeted us with this quick bow and a big grin. She handed out aprons (mine was a bit too long — I kept stepping on it) and we got started on our first round of izakaya dishes. The kitchen was small but cozy, with steam rising from pots and that quiet clatter you only get when people are really concentrating. I’d never tried making grilled chicken and burdock meatballs before; Emi showed us how to shape them just right, then she let us taste the raw shiso leaf — kind of minty, kind of grassy. I liked it more than I expected.

After we cooked two or three dishes, we all sat down together at this low table and ate what we’d made. It felt like being in someone’s home more than a restaurant — everyone chatting about their favorite Japanese foods or laughing when someone dropped a chopstick (okay, that was me). Then Emi called us back for round two in the kitchen. Deep-fried chicken fillet with salted plum was next; the oil hissed so loud I flinched the first time she dropped something in. She told us how these kinds of izakaya recipes are what friends share after work in Kyoto — not fancy food, just comforting stuff you crave late at night.

I left smelling like fried chicken and soy sauce, which honestly wasn’t a bad thing. Walking out into the evening air felt different after all that warmth inside — maybe it was just my stomach talking, but there’s something about sharing food you cooked yourself with strangers who don’t feel like strangers by the end. If you want a cooking class in Kyoto that feels real (and lets you eat everything), this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Izakaya style cooking and dining

• Attend afternoon Izakaya cooking class
• Cook 2-3 Japanese dishes
• Eat the dishes cooked
• Return to kitchen for more cooking
• Cook additional 2-3 dishes
• Enjoy eating the second set of dishes

Top questions

How long is the Kyoto izakaya cooking class?

The class lasts about 3 hours.

What dishes do you make in this cooking class?

You’ll prepare five or six Japanese izakaya-style dishes such as grilled chicken & burdock meatballs and deep-fried chicken fillet with salted plum and shiso leaf.

Is dinner included in the izakaya cooking class?

Yes, you eat all the dishes you cook during the class as your dinner.

Is this cooking class suitable for kids or people with disabilities?

The activity is wheelchair accessible and infants or small children can join using prams or strollers.

Do I need to bring anything for the class?

No, all ingredients and aprons are provided.

Will there be an English-speaking instructor?

Yes, an English-speaking cooking instructor leads the class.

How many people are in each group?

A maximum of 8 people per booking is allowed.

Are dietary requirements accommodated?

You should advise any specific dietary needs at time of booking so they can be accommodated.

What’s included

Your experience includes all fresh ingredients for every dish you’ll cook, dinner featuring everything you prepare together, use of an apron during class, plus guidance from an English-speaking local instructor throughout your time in the Kyoto kitchen.