Kyoto: Ramen & Gyoza Cooking Class with Chef & Drinks

Summary

Kyoto ramen class hands-on cooking gyoza & fried rice

You’ll jump straight into Kyoto’s food scene—rolling ramen dough by hand, folding gyoza with a chef who laughs at your mistakes, sipping sake or beer as everything sizzles around you. Learn real techniques you can bring home (recipes included), share stories over lunch, and leave smelling like garlic and broth—in a good way.

What’s the experience like?

It’s weird how the smell of simmering pork broth can make you feel like you belong somewhere, even if you just arrived in Kyoto an hour ago. We ducked out of the busy street—rain still clinging to our jackets—and into this little kitchen where Chef Sato was already laughing about how “everyone’s first noodles look funny.” There were five of us, sleeves rolled up, flour on the counter. I’d never tried kneading ramen dough before; it’s stickier than I expected, kind of springy under your palms. Sato showed us how to cut the noodles thin (mine were… not thin), but he just grinned and said, “Homemade style!” which made me relax a bit.

The best part wasn’t even making the ramen—it was when we all tried folding gyoza together. My friend kept overfilling hers and one burst open in the pan, sizzling loud enough to make everyone jump. Sato poured us little glasses of sake (“for courage,” he joked) while we waited for the dumplings to crisp up. The kitchen smelled like garlic and toasted sesame oil. I still think about that first bite—so hot I nearly burned my tongue, but honestly worth it. There was fried rice too, fluffy and salty-sweet, though by then we were almost too full to finish.

I liked that nobody rushed us—Sato answered every question (even when someone asked about instant ramen vs fresh). He told stories about growing up near Osaka and how his mom used to judge his folding technique with a single eyebrow raise. At one point he snapped a photo of our wonky creations for us to take home (he’ll email them later). The whole thing felt more like hanging out in someone’s home than a class. When we left, it was already dark outside; the city lights felt softer somehow after all that warmth inside.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kyoto ramen and gyoza cooking class

• Meet professional ramen chefs
• Learn to knead and cut noodles
• Wrap your own gyoza
• Cook fried rice with guidance
• Enjoy ramen, gyoza, and fried rice
• Drink beer, sake, or soft drinks
• Receive recipe guide to take home

Top questions

Is this Kyoto ramen & gyoza class suitable for beginners?

Yes, all cooking levels are welcome and step-by-step guidance is provided by the chef.

Are vegetarian or gluten-free options available?

No, unfortunately substitutions for vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free diets cannot be guaranteed due to pork broth and wheat flour use.

What dishes will I learn to cook in this class?

You’ll make ramen from scratch, fold gyoza dumplings, and cook Japanese fried rice.

Are drinks included in the cooking class?

Yes, two drinks per person are included—choose from beer, sake or soft drinks.

Will I get recipes to take home?

Yes, downloadable recipes are provided so you can recreate the dishes after your trip.

Is there an age limit for participants?

The minimum age is 6 years old; children must be supervised during knife use or similar steps.

How long does the Kyoto cooking class last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but expect enough time for hands-on prep and enjoying your meal together.

Can I join if I have food allergies?

The kitchen cannot guarantee allergy-free meals as substitutions may not always be possible; please consider this before booking.

What’s included

Your day includes hands-on instruction from a professional chef in Kyoto as you prepare ramen noodles from scratch along with gyoza dumplings and fried rice. You’ll enjoy two complimentary drinks—beer, sake or soft drinks—and receive digital recipe guides plus photos taken during your experience sent by email afterward.