Cooking Classes in Osaka

The various regions of Japan each developed their own spin on sushi based on historical differences in lifestyles and access to ingredients. Historically, Osaka is known for sushi using cured or cooked, instead of raw, seafood. However, today, you can learn how to make all sorts of rolls through an airKitchen sushi making class in Osaka – from traditional to more contemporary, decorative styles.

Okonomiyaki is a famous soul food dish of Osaka – there's no better place to learn the art of okonomiyaki than its birthplace! Described both as a savory pancake and a Japanese-style pizza, okonomiyaki is a delightful, home-style dish unique to Japan. You'll be able to impress friends back home with your okonomiyaki skills after learning the tricks from a Japanese host via an airKitchen cooking class.

Another popular snack and soul food of Osaka is takoyaki. These are bite-sized balls of flour batter and octopus that are baked to perfection in special rounded molds. A takoyaki party with a Japanese host is a fun way to experience the local culture of Osaka while learning how to make this delightful dish. And after participating in a takoyaki cooking class, you'll be able to throw your own takoyaki parties for your friends at home!

There are many ways to enjoy soba in Japan – hot, cold, fried, and more. But no matter how you enjoy them, nothing compares with the taste and texture of freshly-made soba noodles from scratch. Through a soba making class in Osaka, you'll learn how to mix, knead, cut, cook, and of course eat this Japanese staple in a local's home. The memories of this special cultural experience – and the culinary knowledge your Japanese host shares with you – will stay with you long after you leave Japan.

Udon is among the several common types of noodles used in Japanese cuisine, with ramen and soba being other favorites. This thick, chewy noodle is prepared in a variety of ways in Japan – as a cold summer dish, in a warm broth, with curry, and more. Though widely available in supermarkets throughout the country, you can't beat the flavor and texture of homemade udon noodles. You can learn how to prepare your own through an udon making class in Osaka, picking the menu that best matches the way you want to enjoy the noodles you make!

In Osaka, known as the food capital of Japan, there is plenty of dishes for vegetarians to enjoy! Taking a vegetarian cooking class in a local's home during your stay is the perfect way to immerse yourself in both Japanese culture and cuisine. You can learn how to make veg-friendly ramen, okonomiyaki, sushi, and more through an airKitchen cooking class in Osaka. We strongly believe that a vegetarian diet does not have to limit your enjoyment of famed Japanese food culture.

Japanese traditional sweets are referred to as wagashi. They are often colorful and decorative, reflecting the Japanese appreciation for simple but attractive design. In an airKitchen wagashi making class in Osaka, a Japanese host will teach you how to prepare these traditional desserts. Then, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy what you made together – wagashi is typically enjoyed paired with a cup of green tea. For those with allergies or who are vegan or vegetarian, wagashi is typically free of animal products!

Japanese-style lunchboxes are called bento, consisting of a single-portion meal that is easy to eat on-the-go. They can be quite elaborate, containing an array of different foods and flavors, and always packaged in an attractive manner. Through airKitchen, you can learn how to make bento with a Japanese host – including ones with cute designs! An Osaka bento making class in a local's home is an excellent opportunity to learn about daily Japanese life and cooking.

Battered and deep-fried seafood and vegetables, what's not to like when it comes to tempura? A Japanese adaptation of a Portuguese style of cooking, tempura is a delicious side dish enjoyed in Japan since the late 16th century. Alongside your Japanese host, you will learn how to make and eat this food, often alongside other traditional Japanese dishes, via an Osaka airKitchen tempura cooking class! The variety of ingredients that can be "tempura'ed", including tons of Japanese vegetables and other plant-based ingredients, makes it a good cooking class choice for vegetarians.

Gyoza is a Japanese spin on Chinese jiaozi dumplings. Traditionally, they contain pork, cabbage, ginger, and other seasonings, but the fillings can easily be modified to be vegan, vegetarian, or align with any other of your dietary preferences. Gyoza goes very well with ramen, and you'll often see the two paired together at ramen stalls in Japan and in airKitchen gyoza cooking classes. During your stay in Osaka, learn how to make your own gyoza in a local's home! You simply can't beat the taste of homemade gyoza.

Sukyaki is a delicious Japanese hot pot (nabe) dish. A popular home-cooked meal enjoyed during cold winters among families, it typically contains beef and vegetables simmered in a sweet and savory soy sauce broth. The experience cooking and enjoying sukiyaki in a Japanese home with locals is quite unique. We recommend exploring sukiyaki cooking classes in Osaka if you're interested in participating in an authentic, intimate, and tasty cultural experience during your travels!

We want the special and genuine cultural exchange experience airKitchen cooking classes offers travelers to be as accessible as possible, no matter your budget! That's why we created this category of cooking experiences that are more affordable. We hope you can find the right class in your budget for you here, so you can experience visiting a Japanese home, interacting with Osaka locals, and learning the tricks of Japanese cuisine!

Under an hour's journey from Osaka City is Sakai, an important port city in Osaka Prefecture. This city has large historical and cultural significance, best known for being home to immense ancient burial mounds of royalty (kofun) that rival Egypt's great pyramids. In 2019, the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun became a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sakai is also known for its high-quality knives that are used across Japan – fittingly, the city used to be revered for its samurai swords.

If you want to take a step back from the busy streets of Osaka, Suita is an excellent day-trip destination. Perhaps its most famous landmark is the Tower of the Sun, which was built by Japanese modern artist Taro Okamoto for the the 1970 World Exposition. You can see the tower up close while walking through Expo Commemoration Park, a beautiful and serene Japanese garden. You'll find other small museums and shopping centers, like Expo City, to keep you entertained in Suita.

Home to Osaka University and Osaka Music College, Toyonaka is a residential city in Osaka Prefecture. You can visit the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farm Houses and learn about the region's unique culture and architecture. Afterwards, you can explore Hattori Ryokuchi Park within which the unique open-air museum is housed. Another popular destination is Senri Riverbank, where you can watch airplanes take off and land at the nearby Osaka-Itami airport up close.

Not to be confused with Ibaraki Prefecture, Ibaraki City is a suburb of Osaka. A visit to Ibaraki will shed light on what daily life looks like for ordinairy Japanese people, away from the bustling streets of Japan's metropolises. Thus, it's the perfect place to step into a local's home and learn the secrets of Japanese home cooking through an airKitchen class. Some attractions you can visit before or after your class are the Kawabata Yasunari Museum of Literature and Sojiji Temple.

Higashiosaka is known as "Rugby Town" in Japan, and was a venue for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. It is also known as a manufacturing hub of the nation, with over 6,000 factories scattered about the city. You can visit the Hanazono Rugby Stadium, the oldest dedicated rugby stadium in Japan, as well as the Shiba Ryotaro Memorial Museum and various shrines in the area. It's just about a 30 minute train ride to Higashiosaka from Osaka City, making it a convenient location to take an airKitchen cooking class!