Learn to cook Quang dishes in Hoi An – What's attractive?

Learning to cook in Hoi An is not only a simple entertainment activity but also a unique and memorable cultural experience. This is an opportunity for you to delve into the world of Vietnamese cuisine, from choosing ingredients to enjoying the results.

1. Journey from market to kitchen

Most cooking classes in Hoi An start with a visit to the traditional market. This is the most exciting part of the whole journey. This step is optional if you don’t have much time.

Explore the local market: Your guide will take you to the bustling markets, filled with colors and sounds. You will not only see but also learn about spices, herbs, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Learn how to choose ingredients: Your guide will show you the secret to choosing the freshest, highest quality ingredients, from herbs to meat and fish. This is an important skill to cook delicious dishes.

2. Learn to cook Hoi An's signature dishes

Papaya salad with shrimp and pork, pancakes, stir-fried morning glory with garlic. Photo: hoians.com

Classes often focus on famous dishes that are typical of Hoi An and Central Vietnam.

Dishes often taught include:

• Stir-fried water spinach with garlic: Wash fresh water spinach, then stir-fry over high heat with oil and fried garlic. Add a little fish sauce and salt to make the dish more flavorful.
• Ram tom: Appetizer made from whole fresh shrimp, peeled, marinated, then wrapped in a thin layer of rice paper and fried.
• Spring rolls: A refreshing, fresh dish, rolled in rice paper with shrimp, meat and raw vegetables.
• Banh Xeo: The name "Banh Xeo" comes from the "sizzling" sound when rice flour is poured into a hot pan. This crispy pancake is filled with shrimp, meat, bean sprouts, served with raw vegetables and sweet and sour sauce.
• Cao Lau: A unique noodle dish found only in Hoi An, made from special noodles and rich broth. Cao Lau is often eaten with raw vegetables to reduce the fattiness of the broth and meat.
• Quang Noodles: A rustic yet sophisticated dish, with flat noodles, thick broth and a variety of toppings such as meat, shrimp, quail eggs.

Dedicated guidance: You will be guided step by step by professional chefs or experienced housewives, from how to prepare ingredients, seasoning to techniques for presenting dishes beautifully.

3. Unique experiences included

Many cooking classes extend beyond the kitchen and into exciting extracurricular activities, providing a complete experience.

• Cooking at Tra Que Vegetable Village: Some tours will take you to Tra Que Vegetable Village, where you will experience being a real farmer, harvesting vegetables yourself before cooking.
• Combined with basket boat riding: Some classes will combine with a basket boat experience at Bay Mau coconut forest, an activity that is both fun and exciting.
• Unique learning space: Classes can be held in an ancient house, a green garden or by a peaceful river, creating a sense of intimacy and relaxation.

Learning to cook in Hoi An is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture, people and cuisine. You will not only take home a recipe, but also valuable memories and stories.