Hoi An: Home Cooking Class with Jolie & Family Recipes

Summary

Vietnamese home cooking in Hoi An with Jolie’s family warmth

You’ll cook four Vietnamese dishes in Jolie’s Hoi An home kitchen, try your hand at local techniques (with plenty of laughs), and share a homemade meal with fellow travelers. Vegetarian options are available, drinks included, and you’ll leave with new recipes—and maybe even new friends.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so at home in someone else’s kitchen. Walking up the narrow lane in Hoi An, I could already smell garlic and something sweet—maybe fish sauce? Jolie met us at her door, grinning like she’d been waiting for old friends. There were travelers from Germany and Korea that morning, but somehow it felt less like a class and more like joining a family meal prep. I still remember the way Jolie’s mom sliced papaya—so fast my own hands felt clumsy by comparison.

We started with green papaya salad (I got the vegetarian option), and Jolie explained every ingredient—she even let me taste the herbs before we chopped them. The kitchen was bright and full of chatter; someone spilled a bit of peanut sauce and everyone laughed. When we made pho, Jolie showed us how to skim the broth just right. She teased me gently when I tried to pronounce “nuoc mam”—I definitely didn’t nail it, but she just smiled and corrected me softly. The eggplant in claypot was my favorite: earthy, smoky, a little sticky on the tongue.

Lunch happened right there at her table, sunlight slanting through the window. We shared fruit and stories about food back home. Jolie poured us iced tea and told us about where she finds her vegetables—she’s picky about freshness, which you can taste in every bite. I left feeling full (obviously) but also weirdly proud of what we’d made together. That kitchen smell stuck to my shirt all afternoon—honestly, I didn’t mind.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cooking class with Jolie in Hoi An

• Meet Jolie and group
• Learn to prepare green papaya salad
• Cook traditional pho dish
• Make Vietnamese rice pancake
• Prepare eggplant in claypot
• Enjoy dishes with fresh juices

Top questions

Is this cooking class suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, vegetarian ingredients are available for all dishes.

How many people are in each class?

The group is limited to 10 people or fewer.

What dishes will we cook during the class?

You’ll make green papaya salad, pho (beef or chicken), Vietnamese rice pancake with peanut sauce, eggplant in claypot, plus fruit.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes, water, tea, coffee, and juices are included during the class.

Is the location wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Can infants or small children join?

Yes, infants can ride in a pram or stroller; specialized infant seats are available.

Where does the cooking class take place?

The class is held at Jolie’s family home in Hoi An.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to Jolie’s house.

What’s included

Your day includes all ingredients for four traditional Vietnamese dishes (vegetarian options too), water, tea or coffee throughout the class, fresh fruit for dessert, plus lunch made by you—shared around Jolie’s family table before heading out again into Hoi An’s streets.