Learn, Taste, and Explore: A Guide to Cooking Classes in Ubud
Balinese food is vibrant, deeply flavorful, and rooted in tradition. One of the best ways to experience it is by learning how to make it yourself. In recent years, cooking classes have become a popular activity for travelers who want to go beyond sightseeing and truly engage with the local culture. If you’re looking for an Ubud resort with cooking classes or just curious about this immersive culinary experience, this guide will help you get started.
Why cooking classes offer more than just recipes
Taking a cooking class in Ubud is not just about food. It’s a hands-on cultural experience that allows you to connect with local people and learn the stories behind the ingredients. Many classes begin with a morning trip to a traditional market, where you’re introduced to local herbs, spices, and fresh produce. You’ll see how daily life unfolds in the early hours, observe traditional bargaining, and get a feel for the rhythms of Balinese community life.
After the market visit, most classes move into an outdoor or garden kitchen, often hosted in a traditional Balinese home. Here, you’ll learn how to prepare multiple dishes using age-old techniques and fresh ingredients. Whether you’re in a group or enjoying a private session, there’s always time to ask questions, chat with your hosts, and share stories over the stove.
Common dishes you’ll learn to prepare
Balinese cuisine is rich and diverse, and classes usually include a mix of appetizers, mains, and desserts. You might prepare dishes like lawar, a traditional blend of finely chopped vegetables and minced meat with rich local spices. Satay lilit, made by wrapping seasoned meat around sticks of lemongrass or bamboo, is another favorite. Other possible menu items include pepes ikan, where spiced fish is steamed in banana leaves, and gado-gado, a mixed vegetable salad with creamy peanut sauce. Many classes also teach dadar gulung, a sweet rolled pancake filled with coconut and palm sugar.
How to choose the right cooking class
Ubud offers a wide range of classes, so it helps to know what you’re looking for. Some classes keep things small and intimate, offering a more personalized experience. Others take place in lush garden settings or traditional family homes, creating a more immersive atmosphere. If cultural context is important to you, look for cooking classes that include a visit to a local market or offer insight into the history and significance of each dish. Checking reviews, sample menus, and class duration ahead of time can help you pick one that matches your interests.
Staying at an Ubud resort with cooking classes
If you’d rather not travel far for the experience, staying at an Ubud resort with cooking classes can be a great option. At Rama Phala Resort & Spa, guests can enjoy the convenience of learning to cook authentic Balinese dishes right within the resort’s peaceful garden setting. It’s a relaxed and enriching addition to your stay.
For travelers who enjoy learning by doing, cooking classes in Ubud offer a meaningful connection to the island’s culture. And when the opportunity is available just steps from your room, it becomes even easier to turn your visit into a delicious, hands-on memory.
