Private Market Visit, Tofu Intro & Cooking Class With Kyoto Local

Enjoy Kyoto’s vibrant food culture with this unique experience. Start by exploring a local supermarket, uncovering the secrets of traditional Japanese ingredients. Then, dive into a private tofu cooking lesson, learning to prepare classic dishes like teriyaki yellowtail fish and homemade tofu. Savor the flavors of your creations during a shared meal, accompanied by local beverages. As the experience concludes, you’ll leave with recipes in hand, ready to recreate the authentic tastes of Kyoto in your own kitchen. Discover the depth and richness of Japanese cuisine in an intimate setting.

This experience made our list of the 22 Best Shopping Tours In Kyoto.

Key Points

• Guided supermarket tour with a local host to explore traditional Japanese ingredients and their cultural significance.
• Hands-on tofu cooking lesson where participants learn to press, cut, and season fresh tofu under the host’s guidance.
• Preparation of a traditional Japanese meal featuring teriyaki-style yellowtail fish, accompanied by local beverages.
• Convivial dining experience allowing guests to savor the homemade dishes and gain insights into Kyoto’s food culture.
• Participants receive recipes to recreate the authentic Kyoto flavors at home, serving as a memento of the experience.

Overview of the Experience

This private market visit, tofu introduction, and cooking class with a local host in Kyoto, Japan, provides an immersive cultural experience for visitors.

The tour begins with a supermarket visit, where the host explains the local products and ingredients.

Participants then engage in a private tofu cooking lesson, learning to prepare a traditional Japanese meal featuring teriyaki of fatty yellowtail fish. The class is hands-on, allowing guests to actively participate in the meal preparation.

After cooking, everyone enjoys the meal together, accompanied by local beer or non-alcoholic beverages.

The experience culminates with the host providing recipes for the dishes learned, enabling visitors to recreate the authentic Kyoto flavors at home.

Supermarket Tour With Local Host

The local host leads participants through a nearby supermarket, pointing out and explaining a variety of traditional Japanese ingredients and products.

They’ll explore:

• Seasonal produce, like fresh wasabi and heirloom tomatoes
• Artisanal tofu varieties, from silky smooth to firm and dense
• An array of dashi stocks, miso pastes, and soy sauces
• Preserved foods like umeboshi plums and pickled vegetables

The host shares insights into the significance of these items in Japanese cuisine and culture, empowering participants to identify and select quality ingredients for the upcoming tofu cooking lesson.

This immersive experience sets the stage for a hands-on exploration of traditional Japanese flavors and techniques.

Tofu Cooking Lesson and Preparation

After exploring the local supermarket, the host leads participants into their home kitchen for a private tofu cooking lesson.

They begin by introducing different varieties of tofu, from soft silken to firm and dense, discussing how each type suits various Japanese dishes.

Participants then don aprons and gather around the counter, ready to get hands-on as the host demonstrates traditional tofu preparation techniques.

Under the host’s guidance, everyone takes turns pressing, cutting, and seasoning the fresh tofu.

The group learns how to make classic accompaniments like savory broths and aromatic seasonings that perfectly complement the neutral flavor of the tofu.

The lesson culminates in everyone enjoying the homemade tofu dishes they’ve prepared together.

Meal With Local Beverages

Once the tofu cooking lesson concludes, the host serves up the homemade dishes, paired with local beers or non-alcoholic beverages for participants to enjoy.

The meal typically starts with a colorful chirashi-sushi and a warming miso soup, followed by the main course of teriyaki-style yellowtail fish.

To complement the flavors, the host pours:

• Local craft beers, offering complex, nuanced tastes
• Refreshing non-alcoholic drinks, such as seasonal fruit juices
• Traditional Japanese barley tea, known for its soothing, earthy notes
• Sparkling water, to cleanse the palate between bites

The convivial atmosphere allows guests to savor the homemade dishes, share their experiences, and gain a deeper appreciation for Kyoto’s vibrant food culture.

Recipes to Take Home

As the cooking class concludes, the host provides participants with the recipes used during the session, allowing them to recreate the homemade dishes at home and continue their culinary journey.

The recipes include the ingredients and step-by-step instructions for preparing the starter of chirashi-sushi and miso soup, as well as the main course of teriyaki yellowtail fish.

With these guides in hand, travelers can relive the flavors of Kyoto’s cuisine and impress their friends and family back home. The recipes also serve as a memento of the hands-on experience, ensuring the cooking lessons and cultural insights gained during the visit remain long after the trip has ended.

Starter: Chirashi-sushi and Miso Soup

The cooking class begins with the preparation of a starter course featuring chirashi-sushi and miso soup.

Chirashi-sushi, a colorful and flavorful dish, showcases an array of fresh seafood artfully arranged over seasoned sushi rice.

Alongside it, the traditional Japanese miso soup, made with fermented soybean paste, dashi broth, and seasonal ingredients, provides a comforting and cleansing start to the meal.

The host guides participants through the steps to assemble the chirashi-sushi, highlighting the importance of:

1. Selecting the freshest fish
2. Properly cooking and seasoning the sushi rice
3. Arranging the toppings for visual appeal
4. Garnishing the dish with vibrant vegetables

This starter course sets the stage for the upcoming tofu-focused main dish.

Main: Teriyaki of Fatty Buri Fish

Following the flavorful starter, the host guides participants through the preparation of the main course – a teriyaki dish featuring the rich and fatty buri (yellowtail) fish.

Buri is renowned for its buttery texture and intense umami flavor, making it an ideal choice for the teriyaki cooking method.

Under the host’s expert tutelage, guests learn the techniques of marinating, grilling, and glazing the buri to achieve the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and slightly charred notes.

The host shares insights into selecting the freshest buri and the importance of allowing the fish to rest before serving.

Guests then savor the succulent teriyaki buri, complemented by the accompanying side dishes, for a truly memorable main course.

Meeting and End Point Details

The meeting point for this experience is the North Exit of Kitaoji Station on the Karasuma subway line, and the end point is the same as the meeting location. This convenient setting allows participants to easily access the private market, local host’s home, and return to the starting point with ease.

The host will guide the group through the following steps:

1. Gather at the North Exit of Kitaoji Station.
2. Explore the local market and learn about Japanese ingredients.
3. Visit the host’s home for a private tofu cooking lesson and meal.
4. Return to the North Exit of Kitaoji Station to conclude the experience.

This streamlined process ensures a seamless and immersive culinary adventure in Kyoto.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Modifications to the Menu?

Yes, you can typically make modifications to the menu. The local host is often flexible and willing to accommodate changes or special requests, such as dietary restrictions or preferences, within reason and based on availability of ingredients.

Is There a Vegetarian/Vegan Option Available?

Yes, there is a vegetarian/vegan option available. The host can customize the menu to include a plant-based tofu dish instead of the teriyaki fish. Guests can request this option when booking the experience.

What Is the Average Group Size for This Experience?

The average group size for this cooking class experience is small, typically around 2-4 participants. This intimate setting allows the local host to provide personalized attention and a more immersive cultural learning experience.

Can I Request a Private Cooking Lesson Instead of a Group?

Yes, you can request a private cooking lesson. This experience typically offers both group and private options, allowing you to customize the class to your preferences. Simply specify your request when booking to secure a private session with the local host.

Do I Need to Bring Any Special Equipment to the Cooking Class?

No, you don’t need to bring any special equipment to the cooking class. The host will provide all the necessary tools and ingredients for the hands-on tofu preparation and meal cooking activities during the private lesson.

Recap

This immersive Kyoto food experience offers participants a unique opportunity to explore the city’s vibrant culinary scene.

From the guided supermarket tour to the private tofu cooking lesson, participants gain valuable insights into traditional Japanese ingredients and techniques.

The shared meal, accompanied by local beverages, allows them to savor the authentic flavors they’ve learned to create, empowering them to recreate the tastes of Kyoto in their own kitchens with the provided recipes.