From vibrant flavors to colorful spices, Vietnam is a dream destination for food lovers. Among all the cities, Hanoi stands out as the cultural and culinary heart of the country. For travelers looking for a more authentic food experience, taking a Hanoi cooking class is one of the best activities you can do.However, finding a cooking class that ticks all the boxes – market tour included, small group setting, and especially vegetarian or vegan-friendly – can be tricky. With this comprehensive guide from YESD, your search for the most suitable Hanoi cooking class can be easier.
1. Introduction to Vietnamese cuisine
Vietnamese cuisine is all about balance – salty, sweet, sour, spicy – and fresh, healthy ingredients. You’ll find rice in almost every Vietnamese meal, either as noodles, paper rolls, or steamed grains. Herbs like cilantro, mint, Thai basil, and perilla are staples in a Vietnamese kitchen, especially for a traditional Vietnamese family meal. For spices, fish sauce (nước mắm) is a common base, while fresh vegetables, broth, and protein usually tie the dishes all together.When it comes to Hanoi’s cuisine, things get even more exciting. Northern Vietnam food are known for its more subtle flavors, with less sweetness and spice compared to other regions. If you’re planning to join a cooking class in Hanoi, try choosing one that teaches you to make dishes like phở (beef noodle soup), nem rán (fried spring rolls), bún chả (grilled pork with vermicelli), gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls), or chè (Vietnamese dessert soup). These dishes are fun to make, full of flavor, and give you a better understanding of Vietnamese home cooking.If you want to try all of Hanoi’s best cuisine, check out our comprehensive Hanoi street food tour here!
Address: No.71A, Alley 140 Nghia Dung, Ba Dinh District
Opening hours: 9 AM – 9 PM
Price: $45 (~1,150,000VND) per pax
Chef Duyen’s class is a top-rated experience in Hanoi. With over 7 years of teaching, she offers a cozy home kitchen setup and a personalized cooking experience. Her classes begin with a visit to a nearby market, where you’ll learn how to pick the freshest herbs, meat, and produce. After that, it’s time to head back and start cooking. Her recipes are traditional, and the class size is usually small, so it feels very local and authentic.
Address: 7/32/75 Alley 173 Hoang Hoa Tham, Ngoc Ho, Ba Dinh District
Opening hours: 9 AM – 1:30 PM; 3 PM – 7:30 PM
Price: $45 (~1,150,000VND) per pax
Rose Kitchen is a popular choice for travelers who want both structure and fun. The chefs here speak fluent English and guide you through every step, from bargaining at the market to cooking multiple Vietnamese dishes in one class. They’ve been operating for 5 years and are well-known for their flexibility in catering to different dietary needs.
Address: 23 Dao Duy Tu, Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem District
Price: $45 (~1,150,000VND) per pax
This is a hands-on experience where you’ll cook up several Vietnamese staples after a brief but insightful market visit. The class is very beginner-friendly and includes detailed explanations of cooking techniques and ingredients. They offer an immersive culinary experience that includes a local market tour and hands-on cooking sessions. Participants learn to prepare authentic Vietnamese dishes under the guidance of experienced chefs. The class emphasizes traditional cooking techniques and the use of fresh, local ingredients.
Hoang’s Cooking Class is originally a great restaurant and has recently also started providing cooking classes. Their class begins with a guided tour of a local market to source fresh ingredients.Participants then engage in a hands-on cooking session, learning to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes.The class is designed to be interactive and educational, offering insights into Vietnamese culinary culture.
Apron Up is one of the most affordable options in Hanoi and still delivers excellent value. They offer both group and private cooking sessions focusing on popular Vietnamese dishes. The instructors are friendly, and the recipes are easy to follow, even for complete beginners. It also includes a market tour and is centrally located, so it’s easy to find if you’re staying near Hoan Kiem Lake.
Hidden Hanoi offers a more serene, intimate atmosphere for cooking, with their food tours being led by the legendary chef Anthony Bourdain. Their vegetarian class is carefully designed to highlight plant-based ingredients used in traditional Vietnamese cooking. Located in Tay Ho (West Lake Hanoi), the class has a calm vibe and focuses on slow food and local culinary history.
Blue Butterfly is based in a charming old French colonial house on Ma May Street in Hanoi Old Quarter and offers vegetarian-friendly menus with prior booking. The class combines a guided market tour with hands-on preparation of Vietnamese dishes, using tofu, mushrooms, and seasonal vegetables as substitutes for meat-based ingredients. They are great hidden gems for vegetarians who want to experience Vietnamese cuisine to the fullest.
Address: 7/32/75 Alley 173 Hoang Hoa Tham, Ngoc Ho, Ba Dinh District
Opening hours: 9 AM – 1:30 PM; 3 PM – 7:30 PM
Price: $45 (~1,150,000VND) per pax
Rose Kitchen is already on the list that provides great classes along with local market tours. Aside from its standard menu, Rose Kitchen is also known for accommodating vegetarian and vegan guests. Their vegan class is operated in a villa, which can enhance privacy and provide the best cooking experience. Their flexibility makes them a top choice for mixed-diet groups, and you still get the full experience of market tours, cooking, and eating together.
Apron Up also offers a vegetarian class option with a slightly higher price tag. They provide a wide selection of veggie-based recipes and ensure you get just as much flavor and hands-on cooking as in their standard class. What makes it special is the hands-on, cozy atmosphere – hosted in a family-run kitchen – where the chef shares personal tips on sourcing plant-based alternatives from nearby Old Quarter markets.Looking for vegan restaurants in Hanoi? Find out more with YESD!
4. Tips for Choosing Hanoi Cooking Classes for Foreigners
Some tips for choosing Hanoi cooking classesTo make the most of your culinary adventure in Hanoi, here are a few specific tips to help you pick the right Hanoi cooking class:
Look for classes that include a wet market tour: Many local cooking classes start with a visit to markets like Dong Xuan market or Long Bien Market, where you can see how locals shop for daily ingredients. This is a great way to learn about fresh herbs, rice products, spices, and Vietnamese cooking staples like fish sauce and fermented shrimp paste.
Always confirm dietary preferences in advance: This is important no matter if you’re vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. Not all classes automatically cater to plant-based diets, so it’s important to ask in advance. Some venues like Hidden Hanoi or Blue Butterfly are known for offering dedicated vegetarian menus that still highlight the richness of Vietnamese cuisine.
Choose small-group or private classes for better interaction: If you’re looking for a more personal experience, go for classes with 6–10 people or fewer. These tend to allow more hands-on cooking time and deeper cultural insights from the chef.
Verify language support and recipe takeaways: Make sure the instructors speak fluent English (most top-rated classes do), and check whether they provide written recipes so you can recreate the dishes when you’re back home.
Conclusion
A Hanoi cooking class is more than just a meal – it’s a full cultural experience. You’ll get to shop like a local, cook traditional dishes, and walk away with a new appreciation for Vietnamese cuisine. Whether you’re looking for a class with market tours or vegan options, Hanoi has a wide range of choices that are fun, informative, and delicious. If you’re not sure where to start, book Hanoi tours with YESD and let us guide you through the most authentic culinary tour in the capital city of Vietnam.
Vietnamese cuisine is all about balance – salty, sweet, sour, spicy – and fresh, healthy ingredients. You’ll find rice in almost every Vietnamese meal, either as noodles, paper rolls, or steamed grains. Herbs like cilantro, mint, Thai basil, and perilla are staples in a Vietnamese kitchen, especially for a traditional Vietnamese family meal. For spices, fish sauce (nước mắm) is a common base, while fresh vegetables, broth, and protein usually tie the dishes all together.When it comes to Hanoi’s cuisine, things get even more exciting. Northern Vietnam food are known for its more subtle flavors, with less sweetness and spice compared to other regions. If you’re planning to join a cooking class in Hanoi, try choosing one that teaches you to make dishes like phở (beef noodle soup), nem rán (fried spring rolls), bún chả (grilled pork with vermicelli), gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls), or chè (Vietnamese dessert soup). These dishes are fun to make, full of flavor, and give you a better understanding of Vietnamese home cooking.If you want to try all of Hanoi’s best cuisine, check out our comprehensive Hanoi street food tour here! 
A Hanoi cooking class is more than just a meal – it’s a full cultural experience. You’ll get to shop like a local, cook traditional dishes, and walk away with a new appreciation for Vietnamese cuisine. Whether you’re looking for a class with market tours or vegan options, Hanoi has a wide range of choices that are fun, informative, and delicious. If you’re not sure where to start, book Hanoi tours with YESD and let us guide you through the most authentic culinary tour in the capital city of Vietnam.