Da Nang: Jolie Cooking Class with Lunch & Local Stories

Summary

Cook pho and pancakes in Da Nang with local stories and laughter

You’ll cook classic Vietnamese dishes in Da Nang with Jolie and her friends — expect laughter, real local stories, hands-on lessons, and a homemade lunch you’ll remember. Vegetarian options are welcome. After eating together you can try your hand at piano or guitar before heading back by Grab.

What’s the experience like?

We were already halfway through our iced welcome drinks when I realized how much I liked the way Jolie’s place felt — just a regular house on An Trung Dong 6 street, but full of that kind of soft morning noise you get in Vietnam. Someone was playing with a cat near the kitchen. Jolie (I think she’s the owner?) started telling us about her university days, how she learned to cook pho from her grandmother. She laughed when I tried to say “bánh xèo” properly — honestly, I still don’t know if I got it right.

Cooking started fast. The kitchen smelled like fresh herbs and something sweet — maybe the papaya salad? We all chopped together, and one guy next to me kept sneaking bites of eggplant before it even hit the claypot. Jolie showed us how to pour batter for rice pancakes so thin it almost disappeared on the pan. There was a moment where we just stood there watching it sizzle, nobody talking, just listening to that sound.

Lunch was what we’d made: noodle soup (pho), green papaya salad, those crispy pancakes, and eggplant that tasted way better than it looked. Everyone sat around this big table sharing food and stories — one woman from Hanoi told me she never cooks at home but wanted to try here. After eating, someone played a few notes on an old piano in the corner (I didn’t dare). It felt like we could’ve stayed longer but eventually people started calling their Grabs back to hotels or wherever they came from. I still think about that soup sometimes, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cooking class and music session

• Meet at 14 An Trung Dong 6 street
• Enjoy welcome drink and stories
• Start cooking session
• Eat meals cooked by yourself
• Play piano or guitar
• Return by Grab taxi

Top questions

Is this Da Nang cooking class vegetarian-friendly?

Yes, all vegetarians are welcome and vegetarian ingredients are provided.

Where does the cooking class take place?

The class is held at 14 An Trung Dong 6 street in Da Nang.

What dishes do we cook during the class?

You’ll make pho (noodle soup), green papaya salad, Vietnamese rice pancake (bánh xèo), and eggplant in claypot.

Is lunch included in this Da Nang cooking class?

Yes, you’ll eat the meal you cook yourself as lunch.

Are there activities after cooking?

You can play piano or guitar if you want before heading back by Grab.

Is the location wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

How do I get back after the class?

You return to your place by Grab taxi at your own convenience.

What’s included

Your day includes a welcome drink at Jolie’s house in Da Nang, hands-on cooking of four Vietnamese dishes with all ingredients provided (vegetarian options available), a homemade lunch shared with new friends, plus time to play piano or guitar before returning by Grab taxi when you’re ready.