Step into the heart of Japanese home cooking and discover the secret of umami!
In this hands-on class, you’ll:
・Try the traditional way of shaving katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes)
・Learn about the simple but powerful ingredients used to make dashi / Japanese broth
・Make ichiban dashi (first broth) and taste its deep umami flavor
・Create a silky chawanmushi (savory egg custard) that perfectly showcases dashi
・Roll your own sushi rolls with nori, just like locals do
This class is all about enjoying the unique flavors of Japan in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Whether it’s your first time in the kitchen or you already love Japanese food, you’ll leave with new skills, great memories, and a happy stomach!
✼••┈ Ingredients ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈••✼
◆Dashi/ Japanese broth
・Katsuobushi / Dried bonito
・Kombu / Kelp
◆Chawanmushi
・Egg
・Ichiban dashi
・Chicken breast
・Shrimp
・Shiitake mushroom
・Kamaboko (fish paste cake)
・Ginkgo nuts
・Mitsuba
◆Makizushi / Sushi rolls
・Seaweed
・Japanese rice
・Sushi vinegar (rice vinegar | sugar | salt)
・Simmered Kanpyo (Kanpyo | Soy sauce | Sugar)
・Simmered Shiitake mushroom (Dried Shiitake mushroom | Dashi broth | Soy sauce)
・Dashimaki tamago / Japanese Rolled Omelette (Egg | Dashi broth | Sugar | Light color soy sauce | Salt)
・Kani kamaboko/ crab flavored fishcake
・Cucumber
◆ Ume sorbet
・Ume syrup
・Water
◆Others
・Japanese Green tea
・Senbei/ Rice crackers
A fun and tasty cultural experience in Tokyo!
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.
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.
1. Station Meetup
Let's meet at Heiwadai Station! It's just a 7-8 minute walk to my home, and we can enjoy some fresh air and conversation along the way.
2. Where Your Culinary Adventure Begins
Once we arrive, make yourselves at home with some delicious Japanese tea and senbei (rice crackers) while I introduce the dishes we'll be preparing. After our journey, I'll send you all the slides and recipes.
3. The Rice Cooking Preparation
• Explanation and demonstration of the correct way to cook rice
• How to measure and wash rice, determine the proper amount of water, and key tips for cooking
4. Introduction to Katsuobushi and Shaving Techniques
• Overview of Katsuobushi
• How to use a Katsuobushi shaver
• Demonstration of Katsuobushi shaving
• Hands-on Katsuobushi shaving experience
• Enjoy transforming a rock-hard block of smoked and fermented fish into delicate, flavor-packed flakes
5. How to Make Ichiban Dashi
• Introduction to the primary ingredients for dashi
• Demonstration of making Ichiban Dashi using kombu and shaved Katsuobushi
• Tasting of Ichiban Dashi
6. How to Make Chawanmushi
• How to blend dashi and eggs
• The tips for making silky Chawanmushi
7. How to Make Sushi rolls
• How to make sushi rice
• Introduction to fillings for sushi rolls
• Demonstration and hands-on practice in making sushi rolls
9. Tasting
Let's enjoy the dishes we've prepared together. Ume sorbet will be served for dessert.
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.
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.
Up to 4 people can join Mika's cooking class.
It costs 8000 per person.
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.
