Taipei: Xiao Long Bao & Beef Noodle Cooking Class

Summary

Try your hand at Taiwanese dumplings noodles and bubble tea in Taipei

You’ll knead dough by hand, pinch Xiao Long Bao closed (sometimes clumsily), simmer beef noodle soup, and shake up your own bubble milk tea in Taipei’s most hands-on cooking class. Expect laughter over slippery boba pearls and tips from a real local chef — you’ll leave full and maybe a little proud of your dumpling skills.

What’s the experience like?

Steam from the kitchen fogged my glasses the second I walked in — not glamorous, but kind of perfect. Our instructor, Chef Li, had this calm way of explaining everything (even when I dropped flour everywhere). She started us on cucumber salad — just a quick smash with the side of a cleaver. The crunch echoed around the table and made everyone laugh. I’d never tried saying “liang ban pai huang gua” out loud before; Li grinned and gently corrected me. It smelled like sesame oil and garlic, sharp but somehow comforting.

Kneading dough for Xiao Long Bao was trickier than I thought — sticky at first, then suddenly smooth under my palms. There’s this moment when you pinch the dumpling shut and hope it doesn’t leak soup everywhere (mine did once or twice). Chef Li showed us how to twist the top just right. I still think about that first bite: hot broth bursting out, soft wrapper, pork filling with a hint of ginger. We all cheered when someone finally got one perfect swirl.

The beef noodle soup simmered away while we worked on boba tea — those tapioca pearls look innocent but they’re slippery little things. Rolling them between my fingers felt oddly meditative after all that dumpling stress. When we finally sat down together, bowls steaming and glasses sweating with cold milk tea, it felt like eating at a friend’s house more than a class. Someone asked for seconds and nobody minded waiting while Chef Li ladled more soup.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Taiwanese cooking class experience

• Knead dough for dumplings
• Prepare meat filling
• Make Xiao Long Bao dumplings
• Simmer braised beef noodles
• Shake bubble milk tea

Top questions

Is this cooking class suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, vegetarian options are available during the class.

How long does the Xiao Long Bao & Beef Noodle Cooking Class last?

The class is about three hours long.

Are children allowed in the cooking class?

Children aged 7-11 can join at half price; one child under 6 can accompany free of charge.

What dishes will I learn to make in this Taipei cooking class?

You’ll make cucumber salad, Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), braised beef noodle soup, and bubble milk tea.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No, hotel pickup is not included for this activity.

Will I get recipes to take home?

Yes, detailed recipes are provided after the class.

Are photos included from the class?

Yes, you’ll receive photos taken during your cooking experience.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the cooking studio is wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

Your day includes all ingredients for every dish on the menu—cucumber salad, Xiao Long Bao soup dumplings, beef noodle soup, and bubble milk tea—plus detailed recipes to bring home and photos from your time in the kitchen. Local taxes are covered as well so you can focus on rolling dough instead of paperwork.