Experience authentic Japanese home cooking in a relaxed, small-group class at a local home kitchen in Tokyo.
In this hands-on lesson, you will prepare sushi rolls, crispy tempura, and delicate chawanmushi (savory egg custard), dishes often prepared in Japanese homes for special meals. You will also enjoy a seasonal Japanese dessert that changes throughout the year. In March and April, we prepare sakura (cherry blossom) mochi to celebrate the arrival of spring.
● Highlights
・Prepare sushi rolls in a traditional home-style way
・Discover practical tips for achieving light, crispy tempura at home
・Experience chawanmushi, a silky savory egg custard gently flavored with Japanese dashi
・Enjoy a seasonal Japanese dessert (sakura mochi in spring)
・Cook in a small-group setting in a real Japanese home kitchen
Tempura (天ぷら) is a classical Portuguese dish brought to and popularized by Japan, consisting of seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried. Tempura is a typical home-style cooking in Japan. It is often referred to as a representative dish to Japan. Although there are various theories, it is said that Tokugawa Ieyasu, the general of the Edo period, liked tempura so much that he allegedly died from eating too much.
● Itinerary
1. Meet at the nearest station and walk to the host’s home kitchen
2. Introduction and overview of the menu
3. Begin preparing the seasonal dessert
4. Make dashi (Japanese broth)
5. Prepare sushi rolls together
6. Make chawanmushi and learn the steaming method
7. Prepare tempura and learn the key tips for a light, crispy texture
8. Arrange the dishes and set the table
9. Enjoy the meal together
● Inclusions
・A small welcome senbei (rice cracker) served with Japanese tea upon arrival
・All ingredients for sushi rolls, tempura, chawanmushi, tomato ohitashi, and the seasonal dessert
・Use of cooking tools, apron, and indoor slippers during the class
・Presentation slides used during the lesson
・A recipe and slide reference PDF sent after the class
● Remarks
・Guests are welcome to take photos or videos during the class.
・As we change into indoor slippers, please wear socks.
・We recommend allowing a little extra time after the class before your next schedule, just in case.
Let's meet at Heiwadai station! It's a quick 7-8 minute walk to my place, and we can enjoy some fresh air and conversation on the way.
Once we arrive, feel free to make yourselves at home enjoying delicious Japanese tea and Senbei/ rice crackers while I provide a short introduction to the dishes we will make. Once our journey has ended I will send you all the slides and recipes.
Tickle your tastebuds and sample authentic dashi broth as I present the secrets of umami.
Learn the techniques of sushi masters and uncover the art of the bamboo mat.
Cut, slice and arrange the freshest ingredients in a hands-on experience of guaranteed scrumptiousness!
Shabu-shabu is cooked and eaten right at the table. You will learn about the table setting for hot pot dishes as well as how to eat them.
Hotpots provide a moment in time to share great food with friends and loved ones. Let’s eat, chat and laugh!
I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, where I raised two children. I am a licensed chef, a food education instructor, and a Japanese tea advisor. My journey began in culinary school, and I transitioned to teaching cooking, first at a culinary school and then at home. Driven by a passion for sharing Japanese cuisine, I dedicated myself to learning English. I am friendly, enjoy laughter, and love connecting with people.
The closest station
Heiwadai
How to get to the station?
From Ikebukuro station : 10mins
Free pick up service
This host can pick up you for free from the closest station!
Exact location provided after booking.
Ron, Canada
★★★★★We had a wonderful time! Not only did we learn a lot and make and eat delicious food, but Mika’s personality put everyone at ease and made us all feel welcome.
Nov 2023
Response from Mika
Thank you so much for the great review! You guys are so kind and fun. I really enjoyed cooking and eating with you and we laughed a lot in the class! I truly appreciate you all coming and I hope you come back again soon! Thank you!!!
Karen , Denmark
★★★★★We had a really great cooking class at Mikas house. She was so sweet and very helpful. We leaned a lot about traditional Japanese ingredients and how to cook them. At the end we had a very delicious meal with a great host. We would definitely recommend Mika to others.
Nov 2023
Response from Mika
Thank you so much Karen for coming. I appreciate your nice and kind review. It was a great time having such lovely guests like you guys!
Both you and Benjamin have amazing cooking skills. I was so impressed! Hopefully, I can cook with you again! Thanks again for spending time with us!
Cristina, Italy
★★★★★Amazing kitchen class Well explained and cooked Thanks a lot
Sep 2023
Response from Mika
Thank you so much for the kind words! It was an absolute pleasure to have you in my cooking class. I also appreciate you listening so intently to my explanation and how well you get along with another Japanese guest. I hope we'll have the chance to cook together again in the future. Arigatou gozaimashita.
Peter, Denmark
★★★★★The cooking experience was incredible and being invites to Mika's home made the experience feel extra authentic. We spent more than the allocated 3 hours of the cooking class, however at no extra charge which was super cool. If we are to visit Japan again we would definitely take another class with Mika's and we would encourage other travellers to do as well. All in all an incredible experience.
Jul 2023
Response from Mika
Hi, Peter. Thank you so much for coming. I appreciate you giving me such a nice review. It was a great experience for me and I had a lot of fun with the lovely couple. I'm glad you didn't mind that the lesson took a little longer than planned. I'm going to create different types of classes in the future. I would be extremely happy if you could come back to my house again. Thanks a lot for the amazing time! Mika
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Response from Mika
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Up to 4 people can join Mika's cooking class.
It costs 11000 per person.
Please go to Heiwadai which takes 10 mins from Ikebukuro station . Then Mika (host) will pick you up there!
Duration of this cooking class is 3 hours.
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.
