Hanoi Cooking Class & Market Tour: Vietnamese Food Hands-On

Summary

Hanoi food class with chef-led market walk and hands-on cooking

You’ll wander through a bustling Hanoi market with a local chef, pick your own fresh ingredients for three Vietnamese dishes, then cook together back at the restaurant before sharing lunch or dinner (plus egg coffee). Expect laughter over broken pancakes and new flavors that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We were already elbow-deep in bunches of Thai basil when our guide, Linh, waved us over to smell something that looked like mint but wasn’t. The wet market near Hang Buom Street was noisy — vendors calling out prices, scooters squeezing past (I nearly tripped on a crate of limes). I tried asking for fish sauce in Vietnamese; Linh grinned and corrected my pronunciation, and the stall owner just laughed. That’s how it started: picking out the freshest stuff for our Hanoi cooking class, not just watching but actually choosing what we’d cook.

Back at the restaurant, we washed our hands (the soap smelled faintly citrusy) and got to work. I picked Bun Cha because Linh said it’s “proper Hanoi food” — smoky pork patties sizzling on the grill, noodles that stuck together until you learned the trick. My partner went for Banh Xeo, which is harder than it looks — her pancake broke on the first try but nobody cared. The kitchen was warm and smelled like lemongrass and garlic. There was this moment when we all went quiet except for the sound of chopping and frying. I didn’t expect to feel so focused.

Lunch felt like sitting down with new friends. We ate what we made (mine looked messy but tasted right), swapped stories about travel fails, then Linh brought out egg coffee — thick, sweet foam on top. I’m still thinking about that flavor days later. There’s something about learning from someone who grew up here; you see little things you’d miss otherwise. If you’re looking for a Vietnamese food cooking class in Hanoi that’s more than just recipes… well, this one sticks with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Vietnamese cooking class with market visit

• Meet at restaurant at 9:00 AM or 2:00 PM
• Choose dishes from chef's 9 options
• Visit local wet market for ingredients
• Return to restaurant to prepare and cook
• Enjoy meal with cooked dishes and egg coffee

Top questions

How long does the Hanoi cooking class last?

The class lasts about 3 hours including the market visit and meal.

Is there a vegetarian option in this Vietnamese food cooking class?

You can choose from several dishes; some can be adapted for vegetarians.

Where does the cooking class start?

The meeting point is 54 Hang Buom Street in Hanoi Old Quarter.

What dishes can I learn to cook?

You can pick from nine suggested Vietnamese dishes like Bun Cha or Banh Xeo.

Is pickup included for this day trip in Hanoi?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet directly at the restaurant.

Do I get to eat what I cook during the class?

Yes, after cooking you sit down together to enjoy your meal.

Is this cooking class wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting your local chef at Hang Buom Street, exploring a nearby wet market to select fresh ingredients together, hands-on preparation of three Vietnamese dishes plus egg coffee back at the restaurant, and enjoying your cooked meal with one complimentary drink before heading out into Hanoi again.