Hanoi Cooking Class: Market Tour, Egg Coffee & Free Wine

Summary

Hanoi flavors come alive in this hands-on cooking adventure with market strolls, egg coffee and laughter shared over homemade dishes

You’ll wander Hanoi’s lively markets with a local chef, learn to cook classic dishes like spring rolls and bun cha, taste homemade wine, and finish with iconic egg coffee. Expect laughter, real kitchen tips, stories behind every flavor—and leave knowing your booking helps support meals for children in Hanoi hospitals.

What’s the experience like?

"Smell that? That’s the fish sauce—don’t be shy!” our guide Linh grinned as she nudged me closer to a stall in Hanoi’s Old Quarter wet market. I’d barely landed that morning and was already elbow-deep in baskets of herbs I couldn’t name, half-awake but weirdly happy. The air was thick with chatter and the sharp scent of fresh coriander. Linh pointed out banana flowers (which I honestly thought were just for decoration), and an old woman selling tiny limes gave me a smile that made me forget how jet-lagged I was.

Back at the cooking studio, we washed our hands—mine still smelled faintly of mint—and Linh handed us knives. “Don’t worry,” she said, “it’s not MasterChef.” We chopped and rolled spring rolls while she explained why Vietnamese oil is always fresh (never reused, which I didn’t know). Someone asked about pho secrets and Linh just winked. The room filled up with sizzling sounds and jokes about who could make the ugliest pancake (I won that one). Homemade wine appeared—fiery stuff—and there was a moment when everyone went quiet tasting the sweet corn soup. It tasted like childhood somehow, even though it wasn’t mine.

The egg coffee came last—thick foam on top, rich and sweet underneath. You get to try salted or coconut coffee too if you want (I stuck to egg; it felt right after all that food). We swapped stories with Linh about her family recipes, and she told us how every class helps feed kids at a local hospital. That part got to me more than I expected. Before leaving, they handed out recipe books and certificates—I almost forgot my backpack because I was still thinking about those banana flowers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi cooking class and market tour

• Tour bustling local market
• Learn Vietnamese culinary traditions
• Return to cooking studio
• Master traditional knife skills
• Prepare iconic Vietnamese dishes
• Enjoy meal you prepared
• Savor homemade liquors and coffee
• Hear folk tales and cultural stories
• Receive recipe book and certificate

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Hanoi cooking class?

Yes, free pickup is included from hotels in the Old Quarter area or within 20km for private tours.

What dishes will I learn to cook during the class?

You’ll prepare banana flower salad, spring rolls, pho, Vietnamese pancakes, bun cha, sweet corn soup, plus enjoy egg coffee as dessert.

Do I need any prior cooking experience?

No experience needed—the class is hands-on but beginner-friendly with guidance from an English-speaking home chef.

Is there a market tour included?

Yes, the experience starts with a guided tour of a bustling local wet market in Hanoi.

Are drinks provided during the class?

Yes—all welcome tea & drinks are included along with unlimited homemade wine & liquor for private options.

Can I store my luggage during the class?

Yes—free luggage storage is available for up to two days if you need it.

Is this suitable for vegetarians or people with dietary restrictions?

The menu features traditional dishes; contact organizers directly regarding dietary needs before booking.

How does my booking support charity meals?

$1 from each booking goes towards charity meals for pediatric patients in central Hanoi hospitals.

What’s included

Your day includes free pickup from Hanoi’s Old Quarter (or within 20km if you book private), all ingredients and equipment for four classic Vietnamese dishes plus dessert coffee tasting—choose between salted, coconut or egg coffee—unlimited homemade wine for private groups, guided wet market tour with an English-speaking home chef, digital recipe book and certificate upon request. Luggage storage is available up to two days and showers can be arranged if you’ve just landed; every booking also helps provide charity meals for children in local hospitals.