Rolled vegetables with deep fried tofu
Japanese omelette
You have options of plant-based or traditional (free range egg)
Seasonal vegetable dish
ex. Seasonal Green leaf with sesame sauce
Miso Soup or Osumashi (clear soup) with seasonal vegetables
You can learn how to prepare Japanese soup stock
Onigiri - rice ball
You have a choice of white, half milled, brown and mixed grain rice. You can learn how to make delicious rice with a pot, not a rice cooker as well as how to make Onigiri.
Dessert
ex. Sticky rice flour dumplings (Mochi)
Green tea
I use natural seasonings made with traditional methods for my cooking.
Onigiri is a Japanese comfort food made from steamed rice formed into the typical triangular, ball, or cylinder shapes and usually wrapped with nori(dried seaweed). Stuffed with a a variety of fillings and flavors, these rice balls make an ideal quick snack and are a fun alternative to sandwitches for lunch.
Rice is a staple food in Japan. In all most every family, there is a rice cooker. There is variety of Japanese rice brands such as Koshihikari and Hitomebore.
Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup. It's base is "dashi" (Japanese fish stock) and Miso paste. Common added ingredients are Tofu, Green onion and deep‐fried tofu but differs by personal preference. The type of miso is different from region. In western and Easter Japan white miso is mostly used.
The astringent constituent in Japanese tea is a type of polyphenol called catechin. Japan has done a great deal with the humble tea leaf. For example some benefits of the catechin in the tea leaf can lower cholesterol in some cases. Roasted over charcoal at a high temperature and grown under shade for at least 20 days are one of the examples. The most popular Japanese tea might be ryokucha. Depending on the timing of picking the leaves, the grade, the price can be noticeably different.
This cooking class includes many tips for traditional Japanese cooking. You can learn how to make Japanese soup stock, cook Japanese rice with a pot and make Onigiri (rice ball) , make Japanese Omelette , traditional vegetable dish. We also make Mochi (sticky rice flour dumplings)!
I am happy to arrange dishes If you have a specific request for your food and will teach you how to substitute with other ingredients. However, please note that there is a possibility of contamination and please refrain from taking the class if you have a severe allergy or you are strict believers.
I'm a cooking expert and instructor specializing in healthy Japanese cuisine, teaching in English.
In 2023 & 2024, I conducted cooking workshops in 9 countries in Oceania, Asia and Europe.
I usually host classes at home in the peaceful and cozy Oyamadai neighborhood, located just a 20-minute train ride from Shibuya, Tokyo.
In the class, I teach Japanese cooking skills and seasonal menus using fresh seasonal vegetables (mostly organic or pesticide-free), traditional Japanese seasonings and additive-free products.
I also focus on classes for people with dietary restrictions, such as vegans and gluten-free people, so that everyone can enjoy their meals together.
In the past, I had many dietary restrictions such as wheat, milk, eggs. I also supported foreign colleagues with food allergies and religious dietary needs.
During those times, When I traveled abroad, people were so nice and made sure I had something to eat. I'll never forget that, so I wanted to do the same for foreigners here in Japan.
Since then, I have studied various healthy cooking methods, including medicinal cuisine, macrobiotics, Shojin cuisine, and also explored gluten-free cooking. After that, I developed and supervised healthy menus at an organic cafe and a grocery store. Now, while teaching cooking, I am researching healthy cuisine that can be enjoyed by people of all backgrounds.
I am happy to arrange food according to your request, and looking forward to sharing our food culture with you.
Instagram
@yuka_forestkitchen
https://www.instagram.com/yuka_forestkitchen/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/yuka.forestkitchen
The closest station
Oyamadai Station
How to get to the station?
From Shibuya: 20mins
Exact location provided after booking.
Jennifer, United States of America
★★★★★We absolutely loved our experience with Yuka-san. She is a thoughtful and talented instructor. It was so exciting to see how we could make our own vegan versions of traditional Japanese dishes. She even sent follow-up notes with recipe and restaurant recommendations -- incredibly kind of her! We also want to thank her husband (and her bird!) for adding so much enjoyment to our evening. Thank you Yuka-san and family!
May 2025
Al, United States of America
★★★★★Thank you so much again Yuka san as well as Shu san for welcoming us to your lovely home! It was so much fun and very informative especially when my partner and I are focusing more on a vegetarian-based lifestyle. Your humbleness, breadth of culinary knowledge, and life experiences shows in not only the food we made together by your teachings, but also in the passion you have for your ingredients and dishes. We truly look forward to a future meeting again!
May 2025
Response from Yuka
Dear Al, Thank you so much for taking my cooking class! It was lovely to meet you and Ariana, and we had a wonderful time with you both. I am very glad to hear that you enjoyed the lesson and found it useful! We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Brendan, Canada
★★★★★Taking a cooking class with Yuka was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. From the moment we stepped into her home, we were welcomed with warmth and hospitality. Yuka created such a comfortable and inviting atmosphere—it felt like cooking with a friend who also happened to be an expert chef. She guided us through the preparation of a variety of delicious Japanese dishes, all using ingredients that we could easily find back home. This was such a thoughtful touch, as it means we’ll actually be able to recreate what we learned and continue enjoying these meals long after our trip. What made the experience even more special was how Yuka wove Japanese culture into the class. We loved learning not just the recipes, but also the traditions and meanings behind the food. Eating our creations in traditional Japanese style—seated on the floor around a low table—added a beautiful, authentic touch to the entire experience. Every dish we made was incredible: flavorful, balanced, and diverse. It was a true feast, both for the palate and the soul. We had a fantastic time and would absolutely come back again the next time we’re in Japan. We can’t recommend Yuka’s class highly enough—whether you’re a foodie, a cooking enthusiast, or just someone looking for a unique cultural experience, this class is not to be missed!
Apr 2025
Response from Yuka
Dear Brendan, Thank you very much for taking my cooking class. I am very glad to hear that you enjoyed the cooking, food and all our settings. It was such a nice and enjoyable time for us, too and we are looking forward to seeing you again on your next trip to Japan!
Angela , United States of America
★★★★★My friend and I had such a wonderful time cooking with Yuka-san! We chose to make onigiri, rolled omelette, and some side dishes. Yuka and her husband Shun were so kind and welcoming, and we were invited to ask questions and participate in the cooking process. We learned so much about Japanese and Buddhist cuisine - highly recommend to anyone as a way to learn more about Japanese culture!
Jan 2025
Response from Yuka
Thank you so much for taking my class. We really enjoyed cooking with you and Grace and could have a very nice start to the New Year! I hope you will be more familiar to using more dashi in your home cooking.
Hannes, Sweden
★★★★★This was an absolutely excellent experience cooking with Yuka, she is the friendliest and most pedagogical cook- speaks excellent English and gave me a cooking class seamlessly adapted to my needs and wishes - she understood immediately what i wa skeen on learning and taught me genius methods and insights into japanese vegan cooking, shojin ryori, as well as tamagoyaki making. I was so happy i immediately booked another class with Yuka and look forward to continue learning with her in a few days. Thank you Yuka!
Jan 2024
Response from Yuka
Thank you so much for taking my cooking class and writing such a thoughtful review. I am very happy to hear that you enjoyed the lesson and achieved what you wanted to learn. I did enjoy cooking with you, too. I am looking forward to seeing you again soon in my Shojin Ryori class✨.
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Response from Yuka
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Yes, Solo Friendly Onigiri & traditional Japanese dishes and dessert!- Gluten free, vegan, halal friendly and any request of your needs has a vegetarian option.
It costs 12000 per person.
Up to 3 people can join Yuka's cooking class.
Duration of this cooking class is 3 hours.
Yes, Solo Friendly Onigiri & traditional Japanese dishes and dessert!- Gluten free, vegan, halal friendly and any request of your needs has a vegan option.
You will receive the confirmation within 24 hours.
We accepts these cards on airKitchen.
Cancellations up to 48 hours prior to the class begins will be fully refunded by the airKitchen cancellation policy.
