Cook Vietnamese food in a real home. In Hoi An, this cooking class with My Kitchen is built around three from-scratch dishes, taught in a traditional home setting with ingredient stories you can actually use.

I love the simple, easy-to-find ingredients and tools approach, so the recipes feel repeatable at home. I also like the private setup, where it’s just your group and you can ask questions about techniques and substitutions.

One thing to plan for: there’s no pick-up, and My’s home is about 3 kilometers from the city center, so you’ll need your own ride (bike/motorbike/car or Grab).

Key highlights worth your attention

• Three dishes from scratch in about 3 hours, with an included meal and drinking water
• My’s grandma-and-mom recipes plus a focus on healthy, health-conscious spices
• Private class for your group only, so you’re not lost in a big crowd
• Choose your dishes and dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.) when booking
• Optional market visit to Hoi An’s largest market for an extra VND 150000
• No-stress learning style, designed so you can recreate the food back home

A real home cooking lesson in Hoi An

Hoi An has plenty of places to eat. This experience takes you past the restaurant and into a working Vietnamese kitchen, where you’re not just watching—you’re cooking.

The host, My, invites you to her home to prepare three dishes based on three clear ideas: use simple, easy-to-find ingredients and tools; stick close to authentic recipes passed down in her family; and choose high-quality ingredients with spices that support a healthier style of cooking. The result is a class that aims to be useful, not just fun for the afternoon.

Also, this isn’t a giant group production. It’s a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates. If you prefer asking questions without feeling rushed, this structure helps.

What you’ll cook: 3 dishes from scratch (and how choice works)

The class is designed around preparing three dishes from scratch. That wording matters. You’re not assembling a plate from pre-made parts. You’re learning the process—how ingredients start out, how they’re treated, and what techniques shape the final flavor.

The specific menu can vary, but based on past classes, you may see options like Vietnamese pancakes, beef noodles, and chicken soup. The practical upside is that you’ll likely cook at least one dish that feels like everyday Vietnamese comfort food, plus another that teaches a different technique (like making batter, building a noodle bowl, or simmering a soup base).

You can also request specific dishes when you book, and My will cook the set of dishes she prepares for your session. Some participants report that there’s a chance to choose what you want to make ahead of time, so if you have favorites—or you’re avoiding something because of diet or preference—communicate early.

Here’s the real value: My’s teaching philosophy is that you should be able to recreate what you cook when you’re home. So the class doesn’t just explain what tastes good in Hoi An. It also helps you understand how the dish is built.

The lessons that translate to your kitchen at home

A lot of cooking classes stop at the final plate. This one pushes further by tying ingredients, techniques, and health-conscious seasoning together in a way you can repeat.

My highlights three things:

• Ingredients you can actually find later. The class is built around easy-to-find tools and ingredients, so you’re not stuck trying to source a rare item from a specialty market back home.
• Authentic family recipes. The dishes come from recipes passed down from My’s grandmother and mother, which is exactly the kind of knowledge you can’t fake with generic “Vietnamese-style” shortcuts.
• Health-minded spices. You’re selecting spices that fit a traditional, careful approach to flavor, not just heat or salt.

In practice, that means you should feel comfortable taking notes on methods rather than only ingredients. Watch how My handles timing and texture. Pay attention to how she prepares components before combining them. That’s what will let you recreate the dish even if you can’t match every ingredient perfectly.

Past participants also mention that My helps with alternative ingredients for cooking in places like the UK. That’s a big deal. It turns your class into a recipe toolkit rather than a one-off tasting.

Optional market visit: when it’s worth paying extra

If you want the full “from ingredient to plate” story, there’s an optional stop at Hoi An’s largest market. It’s not included in the base price, and it requires advance booking, plus an extra fee of VND 150000.

Is it worth it? If you love shopping, want to learn what Vietnamese produce and pantry staples look like in real life, or you’re curious about how markets influence cooking, this option can make the class feel more grounded. You’ll see ingredients before they become a dish.

If you’re short on time, already plan to visit markets on your own, or you’d rather spend the full 3 hours cooking, skip it. The core value of this experience still stands: you’re cooking three dishes at a home kitchen with a teacher who explains what she’s doing.

Getting to My’s home at 1:00 pm (and avoiding logistics stress)

The class starts at 1:00 pm and ends back at the meeting point. Start point is Trảng Kèo 8, Cẩm Hà, Tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam.

There’s no pickup service. That means you’ll want a simple plan to arrive on time. My’s place is about 3 kilometers from the city center. Getting there should be straightforward using:

• bicycle
• motorbike
• car
• Grab (GrabBike or GrabCar)

If you’re traveling without a scooter (or you’re not comfortable riding), the easiest move is usually Grab. It’s quick, and it keeps your afternoon from starting with a scramble.

Also note: service animals are allowed. If you travel with one, this can matter.

Price and value: why $38.72 can make sense

The price is $38.72 per person for about 3 hours, and the class includes:

• all ingredients
• a meal
• drinking water
• good company

It’s also private, so you’re not paying for a shared, mixed-skill classroom with strangers. That private structure often justifies the cost more than you’d expect for a “cook and eat” experience.

What’s not included:

• pickup service
• market visit (extra VND 150000 if you add it)
• alcohol drinks

So the value equation is simple. You’re paying for ingredients + teaching + meal + a home setting. If you’ve ever taken a group cooking class and felt like you didn’t get enough explanation, this one is built to feel more personal.

One more practical value point: because My teaches recipes designed around easy-to-find ingredients and tools, you’re not just buying an afternoon. You’re buying a skill you can use later.

Dietary needs: they’re not an afterthought here

This is one of the strongest practical parts of the experience. You can request dietary accommodations such as:

• vegetarian
• vegan
• gluten-free

…and other dietary requirements listed at booking time.

The key is to indicate your needs in the special requirements when you book. That gives My time to prepare what you can safely cook and eat.

For many cooking classes, dietary requests come with disappointment. Here, the class is explicitly set up to handle alternatives, which is exactly what you want if you’re traveling with restrictions and you don’t want to sit out.

What the meal feels like (and why it matters)

This class isn’t just a teaching session followed by snacks. You’re part of the cooking process, and then you eat a homemade meal afterward. The included meal matters because it lets you taste what you just learned—right away, in the same setting where the techniques were used.

It also reinforces the flavor logic. If you notice something like balance or texture, you’ll remember the steps that created it. That’s how cooking instruction turns into something sticky in your memory.

Plus, the host sets the tone. My invites you to chit-chat and share cooking culture stories. That’s not a small thing. Food experiences work best when you feel at ease with the person teaching.

Who this experience suits best

This class is a strong fit if you want:

• a personal cooking session in a local home
• authentic Vietnamese cooking techniques
• recipes designed to be repeatable at home
• a meal included in the experience
• a chance to learn about Vietnamese ingredients through conversation

It can work well for solo travelers too. Since it’s private, you’re not stuck in a group dynamic you didn’t choose. It also can suit friend groups and families with young children because the experience centers on teaching and guiding rather than rushing everyone through a checklist.

If you’re looking for a big “tour bus” day with lots of sightseeing stops, this isn’t that. The focus stays on cooking, chatting, and learning.

Small practical notes before you go

A few details can make your afternoon smoother:

• Plan to bring your own transportation since there’s no pick-up.
• Expect 3 hours total. If you have a tight schedule after 4:00 pm, leave buffer time.
• Don’t expect alcohol to be included; alcohol drinks aren’t part of the offering.
• If you want the market visit, book it ahead of time. It has an extra fee and must be arranged in advance so My can prepare.

Should you book this cooking class in Hoi An?

If you want a cooking class that feels like a lesson you can carry home, I’d say yes. This experience checks the big boxes: three dishes from scratch, included ingredients and meal, a private setup, and a host who teaches family-style recipes with practical swaps for cooking outside Vietnam.

Book it if:

• you like hands-on learning
• you want authentic home cooking in Hoi An
• you want dietary accommodations
• you value a teacher who can explain ingredients and techniques clearly

Skip it if:

• you don’t want to manage getting to a location without pickup
• you only want a quick tasting with zero cooking
• you prefer large-group social energy over a personal home setting

In short: for a fair price, you’re paying for instruction, ingredients, and a meal in a real home kitchen. That combination is exactly why this class earns such strong recommendations.

FAQ

Where is the class meeting point?

The class starts at Trảng Kèo 8, Cẩm Hà, Tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam.

What time does the cooking class start?

The start time is 1:00 pm.

How long is the experience?

It runs for about 3 hours.

Is pick-up service included?

No. Pick-up service is not included.

Does the price include a market visit?

No. The market visit is optional and requires advance booking with an extra fee of VND 150000.

What can you cook during the class?

You will prepare three dishes from scratch, and you can let My know which specific dishes you want to learn.

Can I request dietary restrictions like vegan or gluten-free?

Yes. Dietary restrictions such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and others can be accommodated if you indicate them at booking.

What’s included in the class price?

All ingredients, the meal, drinking water, and good company are included.

Are alcohol drinks included?

No. Alcohol drinks are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.