Traditional Balinese cooking in Ubud with a local family

"We had an excellent tour of Dewa’s village and learned a lot about local Balinese culture and traditions. We loved the food we made and his family were all very kind and welcoming. At the end of the tour, we each got a printout of the recipes to make at home. He was kind enough to drop us off at the beginning of the ridge walk and even provided us rain ponchos just in case. Would recommend this over more than any regular group tour!"

"One of the best tourist activities I've ever had! Getting to know the local culture and history,
plus seasonal ingredients and cooking skills - the REAL farm to table feast for sure 🙌"

"What a beautiful experience this was!! Dewa is very friendly and takes all the time to explain to you how the traditional Balinese people live and are in harmony with nature. We were given a tour through nature and along the rice fields with an explanation about the different herbs, fruits and seeds. We received an explanation from Dewa about how a family house in Bali is laid out. We were guests at his home and cooked traditional Balinese dishes together with his family and neighbors. We received the recipes and will make them again at home. Dewa is very friendly and hospitable. Today we learned a lot about the life and dishes of the traditional Balinese people. Definitely recommended!!"

"What an amazing experience!
When you visit Bali, you see beautiful traditional houses with stunning gardens and family temples, which makes you wonder what each of them stands for.
We enjoyed all the conversations with Putu, an amazing host, learned everything we were curious about.
After the garden tour, where they grow everything from rice, avocado, mango, papaya, snake fruits, coconut, cacao, passion fruits, peanut, gingers, chickens, ducks, we started the cooking of 5 course meal, all using the ingredients from the garden.
All the foods and the experience was amazing!
Worth all the penny and highly recommend for anybody who love culture and cooking."

"This was a really unique experience and wonderful to experience an insight into traditional village life in Bali. Much more than just a cooking class! Thank you Dewa and family"

"Dewa was a wonderful host and was able to impart his love of his country, his deep understanding of Bali’s history, culture and a little of his calm accepting personality and values. He and his family made us feel welcome and with his direction we were able to create a wonderful feast and learn new recipes. Throughly enjoyable and would recommend this cooking adventure. Thank you Dewa for a wonderful day."

"It's my second time enjoying Dewa's hospitality, so thankful for him to share his village, home and philosophy with us. The cooking was wonderful but the whole experience includs a little visit to their rice fields, short track down his village, a little explanation of their religions, history and philosophy. Best wishes to Dewa and his family. x"

"Do not hesitate to book this “cooking class.” Yes you will make several incredibly tasty and surprisingly simple Balinese recipes. But the experience is so much more than food based. Dewa is a kind and intelligent man who also teaches you about history, his village, their spiritual beliefs (not religion) and family home life. It is totally fascinating and presented in a generous and open manner. Dewa graciously answers all questions and allows you to photograph his absolutely beautiful home with its temple, plant life, koi and living areas. Spending time in their village home is a highlight of this amazing experience. The food we created under their guidance was delicious and we were given a notebook where Dewa told us all the ingredients and methods so we can try to duplicate these dishes at home. Absolutely book this. It was one of the very best experiences we have had while traveling and that is saying a lot."

"Fantastic experience, with a great insight into not only Balinese cooking but also there
underlying culture. I would highly recommend this"

"Dewa the host was so knowledgeable and informative on the different herbs used, their medicinal as well as aromatic properties and shared knowledge of Buddhism Hinduism and animism and their influences. It was wonderful being in the village setting and learn about farming practices/cultural too. The class was so well organized and the food delicious. Plus I got to take away a little recipe book. Excellent and highlight.of trip."

"Fantastic experience with inspiring host who not only learns you to cook Balinese dishes but
gives life lessons as well. Especially recommend for people who likes to experience true
Balinese living."

"Had a wonderful time and learned some great receipts. Even learned about the Balinese
culture. Beautiful people, amazing food, wonderful experience. I encourage you to ask
questions and learn all you can! And take plenty of pictures."

"Absolutely incredible experience. The highlight of our entire trip to Bali. Dewa was a brilliant host with so much knowledge of Bali, the culture of the people and how food is closely tied with the culture. The man should host Ted Talks on Bali he is that informative. Even before we made it to the kitchen we had learned so much. But then there was the cooking and the food. So delicious and nutritious. Everything (except for salt) grown directly in their garden. Best meal you will have in Bali and an experience you'll never ever forget. 5/5 stars"

"Our host, Dewa, was a walking history book. We explored the community garden while he picked the herbs and vegetables for our lunch. We walked (wear comfortable shoes) along the streets of his village while he provided an amazing historical lesson. Once we reached his house, we were greeted by other community members. Dema explained the recipes (I wrote while my cousin chopped). You get to keep the book with the recipes in them. Overall, 10/10. Very good experience!!"

"Our driver picked us up and took us to his home. It was a traditional Balinese house in the beautiful countryside. All the ingredients we used were from his huge garden where he grew absolutely everything from lemongrass to bananas. His family were very friendly and showed us around their home set in a very rural tranquil setting. The food we cooked was amazing and we wrote down all the recipes to make the dishes again at home. It was a truly amazing experience to see Bali at its most authentic location. I would highly recommend this cooking class I can’t praise it enough."

"Great tour. We got to prepare a delicious meal - five courses. As a big bonus we got to
know ways of life in Bali. Our host spoke very good english and had a lot of insight😊"

"This was our highlight of our 2 weeks in Bali. An educational and interesting time and the
most delicious dinner. Dewa is the kindest most caring generous person. He wanted to
ensure we had a special time which we did. I highly recommend this tour. Was 10/10."

"The host was very kind and informative, he told us plenty of very interesting things about Balinese culture and especially about his village (about 200 families, living there since many generations).
The dishes we cooked were very tasty."

"This was our highlight of our 2 weeks in Bali. An educational and interesting time and the most delicious dinner. Dewa is the kindest most caring generous person. He wanted to ensure we had a special time which we did. I highly recommend this tour. Was 10/10."

"This was one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences we had. I would say it was less about making the food and more about the actual village tour but it was really something. Our host was so kind and heartwarming and super welcoming. This was truly one of the highlights of our two week trip. Definitely a must do if you’re visiting."

"This was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. Incredibly interesting and
enlightening. Dewa was an amazing host. The food tasted really great. A highlight of our trip
in Bali."

"This was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. Incredibly interesting and enlightening. Dewa was an amazing host. The food tasted really great. A highlight of our trip in Bali."

"5/5 and more. Every review on here is accurate. It’s a no brainer. I am so glad we did this! Incredible, unforgettable experience with Dewa."

"We've done cooking classes all over the world and this was without doubt the best. From the time Dewa picked us up until he dropped us back, it was a wonderful experience. The history and culture to the garden visit and walk through the village made this so much more than a normal cooking class. Plus it is a private tour. This is a big bonus for us. Highly recommended."

"Every now and then, as a traveller, you find a nugget of gold! In this instance, we found a life long friend. An oasis of wonder, marvel, and yet they say me down and showed how easy it is to be self reliant. An education, a must visit for all travellers,….what beautiful people, thank you for having us in your home, a true privilege.Thank you,/Terimasi kasih."

"This is way more than a cooking class. Starting from the pickup, Putu and her husband Pasta bring us to a immersive experiencia, ranging from explaining more about Hindu and their family temple thru making the best dishes we tasted in Bali. All with their own ingredients from their family farm. It was a unique and unforgettable experience."

"What an incredible experience. This was so much more than a cooking class. We began with an extensive tour of Dewa’s village, lifestyle and culture. It was a wonderful history lesson as we walked through the village. We cooked 5 dishes and have the entire recipes to take home. I would say this was one of the top highlights to our two week trip to Bali."

"This was an absolutely amazing experience. We were picked up from our hotel and our driver / head chef was our tour guide. He gave us a step by step explanation of everything we were seeing and explaining why things were they way they are. Very insightful for those who have never spent much time in Bali We arrived on the outskirts of his village and went for a 5 minute walk through the jungle and arrived at a garden where he picked some veggies and other items we would use for cooking. As we walked to our guide's actual home, along the way he explained how his village and their society work and why they do things certain things in certain ways, The actual setting for the cooking is gorgeous. A very well maintained home with a large open kitchen. Absolutely perfect for a family or friends to do some cooking. We did this with our 10 and 7 year olds and it was lots of fun. They did well to keep the kids involved and interested. The food we actually made was absolutely delicious and they provide you with a pen and book to write down the recipes. It lasted from roughly 9am to 1pm and I would recommend this activity to anyone who wants to get off the hotel and try something a bit more cultural."

"This was one of the best experiences we had in Bali. I would highly recommend. Dewa (the host) was welcoming and super grateful for us attending his class. He explained to us his way of living, his religion and his upbringing. Dewa was accommodating to our dietary needs. We cooked a 6 course traditional Balinese meal whilst Dewa explained the reasoning and importance of the traditional methods that we followed. We later enjoyed the meal without our hosts as per their traditions. He offered to drop us off home after free of charge."

"This Balinese cooking class is the ultimate cultural experience in Bali. It includes a five dish cooking experience in a beautiful Balinese private residence, as well as a tour of the local village, with an education in the foraging and farming practices of villagers in Bali, as well as a general cultural education. Our tour guide and instructor Dewa was the most interesting and wonderful human being you could possibly hope to meet. His attitude to life was truly humbling and his kindness was palpable… he is also a seriously good guide and cook, with a vast knowledge. We had a really chilled out and fun experience, with a focus on healthy ingredients and doing things the traditional way. It is the best thing we have done since we arrived and a must try if you fancy something on the more cultural side."

"We expected a regular cooking class and were gifted an incredible journey from culture to nutrition to life to great food. We can recommend the cooking course to everyone. The venue is the private kitchen, which is traditional and inviting. Dewa and his helper are friendly and courteous, we felt comfortable and would come back next time. Our 4-year-old son was there the whole time, was allowed to help and was enthusiastic."

"The Organic garden tour, temple tour and Mama itself it’s just too good to be true. Filled with Indonesian love and culture . Food is just perfect and lovely . Highly recommended"

"Cooking with well organised, lovely and fun people! Also, the duration of the activity was just right!"

"Dewa was a brilliant host. Incredibly knowledgable about his culture and local traditions which almost made us foRget we were on a cooking class! He took us for a walk through the local streets, stopping to pick the fresh veg from the community garden that we were going to cook later on. He then introduced us to some of his family and showed us around his beautiful, traditional home. Finally we got to preparing the pastes and fresh veg and meat whilst recording the 5-6 recipes in a recyclable book made locally. We could not recommend more, thank you Dewa and family!"

"In our 2 1/2 week vacation in Bali, this was the most authentic and most amazing experience we tried. Dewa was the best host from start to finish, first the pleasant walk through the village where he also collected supplies from his field. Then a lovely host in his home, where it was well laid out with various ingredients, which we had to help prepare ourselves. While we were chopping and slicing, we were given a notebook in which we wrote the recipes, all while Dewa also told us about their culture and customs. Finally, our dishes were served on a really nice and well-laid table with cold drinks. It was the tastiest food we had on the whole trip and the nicest surroundings. We were a family consisting of parents, grandmother and 4 teenage children, and the activity was great for us. (translated by Google)"

"Excellent storytelling, great hospitality, nice people and most importantly, great food. Great atmosphere all around the place."

"Let me just say all the 5 star reviews are spot on!!! Our host, Dewa, is a very kind man and really shared with us how the Balinese people live, their culture, their values, and their beliefs. What a great immersion into the local culture! I also really enjoyed the walk through his village, the rice field, and smelling the cinnamon and lemongrass that was just growing in the village. Dewa and his family live in a traditional Balinese home that really feels like a small temple. it feels so tranquil there. My kids (ages 11 and 8), my wife, and I really enjoyed our hands-on cooking lesson! We got a chance to write down all the recipes and hope to recreate them at home. We ended up having 5 different dishes to go with Balinese rice and a banana fritters dessert. This is probably the best Balinese meal we had on the whole island."

"Our morning spent with Dewa at his home was by far the highlight of our trip. We had a wonderful time learning to make a whole bunch of delicious traditional Balinese dishes, Dewa was an excellent teacher! He provided us with a notebook so that I could write down the recipes and repeat them at home. We also learnt so much about Balinese culture and Dewa and his family's way of living, with a tour of the local area and gardens where they grow so many of their ingredients. Even my husband, who generally doesn't enjoy cooking agreed it was the best thing we did!"

"Our host for the day, Dewa, was amazing!!! He started the day with an overview of Balinese culture, and how what we eat impacts us. Then, we walked through the garden to pick fresh vegetables, with Dewa explaining how the villagers process. We were welcomed into his home, giving us more of a snapshot into daily living in Bali! The cooking class then started, where we prepared or helped prepare each of the 5 courses! Dewa also provided us with a neat notebook to write recipes in - will definitely try at home. The food was so fresh and delicious! This has been our favorite experience in Bali, blending culture and food, we could not recommend it more!"

"We had the most wonderful cooking experience with Dewa today. Extremely genuine, generous, kind and knowledgeable. Invited us into his home and shared with us his village’s unique way of Balinese life. The garden tour leading up to the cooking class was so informative. The preparing and cooking was engaging and fun - everyone had a part to play. The food was really healthy, flavorful, delish and wonderful knowing almost everything was from nature; from his garden. Highly recommend this extremely enriching and wonderful experience. Bound to make wonderful memories!"

"I can’t rate this highly enough, it was a fantastic experience! Dewa is a very knowledgeable and spiritual person and he explained a lot about Balinese culture and their attitude to life! The cooking class was at Dewa’s home and it was a fun and interesting experience! The food was easy to make and very tasty. I thoroughly recommend this class."

"This cooking class was just perfect! Thank you SO much! Really fun and absolutely delicious! All foods were freshly cooked, no packets whatsoever. Learnt everything about the Indonesian herbs. Great and definitely recommendable!"

"What an incredible experience! Our gracious guide Dawa was wonderful, giving us a history of his village and Balinese culture. After we were picked up from our hotel in Ubud and greeted, we drove about 30 minutes to his village where we were dropped off to take a scenic walk through the lush landscape and neighborhood streets while teaching us about local customs. At his home, we learned about how they live; and how they cook traditionally for health and medicine and not for taste. Don’t be afraid because the food is really good. They just are not going to add lots of salt but just enough and all the ingredients are locally picked and fresh. I highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting a taste of tradition and an experience not very common nor mainstream."

"This was easily one of the top travel experiences we've ever had! Dewa is simply amazing. He is generous in spirit and operates out of abundance. He shared so much about his culture, philosophy, traditions, and community. The cooking class was fun and informative (and the resulting meal was really delicious) but all the rest of the experience is what made the evening so special. Dewa opened his beautiful home to us and we are forever thankful for the experience. This meal and our time spent with Dewa made our time in Bali exceptional. Definitely prioritize spending time with Dewa during your trip to Bali."

"Booked this private cooking experience to be inspired with Balinese cooking - but it was so much more than that! Happy with his first customers since the start of the pandemic two years ago, Mr. Dewa showed us the farm fields around the village, explained with a lot of enthusiasm the Balinese way of living, and invited us into the family home to prepare a traditional meal together. His knowledge & experience gaves us a much better understanding of family life on Bali - and the food was absolutely fantastic! We even cancelled our restaurant reservation in the evening to finish the leftovers at home! Thank you, Mr. Dewa!"

"
One part of our trip we've recommended to everyone. My wife and I went on honeymoon to Bali and one of our activities we wanted to do was a cooking course. We found this activity and were so incredibly impressed by it that in any recollection of our trip to anyone, this has been the one activity that we highly recommended anyone go on if they were planning a trip to the area (or even if not!)

Dewa gave us a full village tour and lots of insight into daily Balinese village life. It was amazing to learn about the culture from someone who is not a professional tour guide but who lives it. The cooking class was great and we have our own recipe book for trying them out. Luckily we can source most of the Balinese ingredients (or close substitutes!)"

"Best thing we have done so far in Bali! Dewa is a fantastic host. We had a terrific home experience where Dewa took the time to not only explain the food but also their way of life and toured us around his village. It absolutely surpassed all our expectations and so far is the single highlight of our trip to Bali. Do not hesitate to book this tour — it is the best. And the food you cook will surpass anything you have in Bali restaurants. We learned so much of the Bali culture, this experience was invaluable."

"Best part of our trip. Dewa was on time picking us up from our Ubud hotel. The ride out of town to his home was beautiful. He showed us the local garden and various plants along the way. The food we helped make was wonderful and by far the best we had in Bali. The whole experience was the best of our trip."

"Amazing is the only word to describe our experience! Wow! If you have time I urge anyone to do this cooking class!! It was definitely the best experience I’ve had while being in Bali. Dewa was incredibly kind and very informative with giving us a lot of history of the village at which he lives. We started off the tour by walking through the garden and picking fresh vegetables and herbs to cook with. We walked through breathtaking views of the rice fields and eventually made it to Dewa’s home where we were welcomed immediately by his cute dog, Doggy. We then proceeded to cook 6 amazing, mouth-watering dishes. Dewa provided us with a notebook, made from recycled local materials, so I could write down all of the recipes which was very thoughtful! I really loved this experience and would do it again in a heart beat. Thank you so much Dewa for a wonderful, rememberable day!"

"Great cooking class. We had a cooking class with Dewa. It was a fantastic experience - just as explained by all the previous reviews.

We were picked up from Ubud and his driver was very friendly and polite. Before cooking Dewa walked with us through a beautiful countryside village and we visited the local community graveyard and his organic garden. While walking he explained to us how his family and the people in his village live in harmony with the natural environment. Dewa was a fun and at the same time very wise and spiritual person. We learnt so much from him. So much traditional wisdom he told us on the day made us think about our life.

The cooking class was great fun. We cooked traditional Balinese food and all of the dishes were so yummy. I think the food we cooked and ate was the best food we ate in Bali. We are looking forward to making the same set of food at home.

It was great to be at Dewa's family home. We got to see a traditional Balinese house and kitchen and learn about the culture from a local person. The kitchen was very clean and tidy. Not only the ingredients but also all the cooking equipment were natural and beautiful - lots of banana leaves and bamboo sticks (nothing was plastic or commercially produced). His helpers were all local people and everyone was very friendly and always smiling.

At the end of the cooking class we felt full in our stomach and very warm in our heart. It is highly recommended for everyone who visits Bali."

"5*** for the best experience of our honeymoon. I booked this cookery class as a christmas present for my husband for our honeymoon a couple of weeks ago. I knew from the reviews it was going to be good, but it completely excelled our expectations!

Dewa was the most incredible host. The attention to detail from start to finish was fantastic. We were picked up at 9am promptly and driven into his traditional style village.
From here we were walked through the land and shown where all the fruit, veg, herbs etc are grown whilst learning about traditional balinese culture.

The cookery class itself was held in Dewa's beautiful home where we got to meet some of his family.

The food we cooked was some of the best we had our entire 16 day trip, and we couldn't be happier to have all the recipes in our own book.

I couldn't recommend this experience more. We left feeling humbled and with a completely new view on life as well as having learnt new cooking skills. We had a cooking class with Dewa. It was a fantastic experience - just as explained by all the previous reviews.

We were picked up from Ubud and his driver was very friendly and polite. Before cooking Dewa walked with us through a beautiful countryside village and we visited the local community graveyard and his organic garden. While walking he explained to us how his family and the people in his village live in harmony with the natural environment. Dewa was a fun and at the same time very wise and spiritual person. We learnt so much from him. So much traditional wisdom he told us on the day made us think about our life.

The cooking class was great fun. We cooked traditional Balinese food and all of the dishes were so yummy. I think the food we cooked and ate was the best food we ate in Bali. We are looking forward to making the same set of food at home.

It was great to be at Dewa's family home. We got to see a traditional Balinese house and kitchen and learn about the culture from a local person. The kitchen was very clean and tidy. Not only the ingredients but also all the cooking equipment were natural and beautiful - lots of banana leaves and bamboo sticks (nothing was plastic or commercially produced). His helpers were all local people and everyone was very friendly and always smiling.

At the end of the cooking class we felt full in our stomach and very warm in our heart. It is highly recommended for everyone who visits Bali."

"Best cooking class ever! We’re just coming back now from this tour and we can say with all certainty that it was one of the best, if not the best activity we’ve ever done in Asia.

We were promptly picked up at our hotel at 9am and within 10 minutes driving, we arrived at the entrance of a small traditional Balinese village. We were introduced to the way of living, the traits of the community, walked past rice fields, learned about the amazing flora, picked macadamias from the floor, watched locals making tofu from scratch, walked past local women doing their daily rituals, learned about the way the community interacts and lives. At this point, we were already in love with Dewa and his passion for the life and people in the community.

We then arrived at his house, a place built 1,300 years ago and passed down from generations. We were introduced to the history and culture of his family, their beliefs and traditions.

After that, we started the cooking class, which was just incredible. We cooked 6 dishes in total (corn fritters, chicken in coconut milk, chicken wrapped in banana leaves, fried tempe, Balinese salad and banana fritters) and given a notebook to write down all the recipes while we were cutting veggies and spices picked from the family garden.

After that, we sat down to enjoy the food we cooked, which was by far the best meal we’ve had in Bali.

Highly recommend this to anyone. Seriously, go do it. Of all the things we’ve done in Ubud, this is the one I’ll certainly remember and cherish the most."

"Sustainable and traditional balinese cooking with a friendly approach. It was definitely one of the best cooking classes we have ever visited!
We had a tour of the organic garden with plenty of explanations before attending the cooking class and preparing some traditional tasty balinese dishes.
Mai Organic family, thank you again for this experience!"

"If you want to spend time immersing yourself in the local culture, Dewa’s cooking class is a must-do activity! Dewa not only taught us to make delicious food, but was also incredibly kind and informative. He taught us so much about local food and culture and was so gracious and welcoming. Thank you Dewa and family for an unforgettable evening!"

"Really there's little I can add to what has already been said - it WAS so much more than just a cooking class. Dewa is an excellent communicator and everything about the day was so well thought through ensuring our one-on-one experience of Balinese cuisine and culture could not have been better or more enjoyable."

"Dewa was a wonderful host. We were a group of 11, ranging from 4 years old to 72 and all of us had a great time. Dewa was so talented at meeting everyone's needs and interests. After an interesting and informative car ride we walked through the area where Dewa lives. Dewa would stop to explain the history of his family's move to the area as well as the philospohy with which they care for the property and the community. He spoke of good and not so good, (purposely not using the term bad) using the dutch colonial period as an example. We would all perhaps benefit from following this balanced approach to life. The family compound was peaceful and beautiful. Dewa took time to talk about the traditions that his family still follows. The cooking class was equally good, we made traditional indonesian foods but different (and better!) than what is found in the Warangs in the area. Many of the ingredients came from Dewa's garden. Dewa gave the younger children tasks that they enjoyed and they worked very happily, the adults worked but also had time to socialize. Dewa and his family did most of the actual cooking in the outdoor kitchen. We sat down at a large table surrounded by lush greenery to enjoy the meal. I would highly recommend this class, it was as many other reviewers commented one of the highlights of our trip!"

"We had an amazing experience with Dewa! Cooking, nutrition, philosophy and spirituality all combined into one amazing morning. And an incredible, tasty meal at the end of it. Highly recommended, we would happily do the same class again!"

"I agree with all the other reviews. This was so much more than a cooking class. It was the highlight of our trip!! You’re walking with Dewa through his garden, his community, and his home. Time was not ever a constraint and Dewa was so open to all questions. While he informs you about his family and culture; it’s also a complete cooking class with Dewa giving you a beautiful notebook to write down all the recipes. Dewa was such a great teacher and involved all of us in prepping the meals. We were with my in laws and my 2 month old baby and 2 year old toddler. Dewa’s wife watched the baby so we could enjoy the class without distractions. She was so amazing with the baby. I recommend this class to anyone who loves food, cooking, and learning the culture behind it."

"We both felt so lucky to have chosen this trip and experience a incredibly eye opening insight into the Balinese culture. The food was incredible and easily better than the majority of food from in town. Would highly recommend you take this cooking class. Hands in and every step is taken at whatever pace is needed. Recipes are also provided for you to recreate these dishes for family and friends at home. Mr Dewa is such an amazing host with incredible English and is more than happy to answer any questions about the food and culture. We left feeling like we were privileged to have met and spent the day together. Thank you so much. "

"We did the cooking class with Mr. Dewa and it was fantastic. Mr. Dewa has told us a lot about the life of him, his family and the village community. the food was great, we got the recipes. everything was fresh and tasted great. We recommend this cooking course! great experience!we were very excited!!"

"This class was recommended to me by a friend and I couldn't be more grateful. It was by far my favorite experience in Bali. I learned so much about Balinese culture and food, with the kindest, most insightful teacher. Beyond that, the garden was gorgeous and the food we made was delicious and memorable in every way. Dewa also gave us a journal to write down the recipes, which I'll keep forever."

"My partner and I took Dewa's class and it was one of the most memorable things we did during our time in Bali.Dewa was so incredible as a host, giving us a tour of his garden and rice patty and sharing with us the knowledge and history of his land and his people. He speaks incredible English and is so considerate and kind.His home is lovely, and his kitchen is very traditional. The ingredients used to make all of the dishes were grown by his village. It was all fresh - they don't even own a refrigerator! He had us write down all the recipes for the dishes we made so we could remember them. The food we made was of the best that we ate in Bali. Would definitely recommend and will definitely come back!Thank you Dewa!!"

"Incredible experience! Dewa is a very generous person and he give us many info about his culture. I had a great time and I would definitely comeback with my friends and family!"

"Definitely a highlight of our trip to Bali! We were expecting just a cooking class but this was so much more. Our guide/host Dewa was fantastic, he showed us through the garden whilst teaching us so much about his ancestors, culture and Balinese history. We were welcomed into his home to cook beautiful and delicious authentic Balinese food with his family. A must do experience in Bali and well worth the drive from Seminyak."

"We had the most amazing day with Dewa, cannot recommend this experience enough! We learned so much about Balinese history, the local village that Dewa grew up in and resides in, as well as the local produce and cooking techniques. His wealth of knowledge and calm, comforting character made for such a wonderful time. Our family of 6 enjoyed this more than any other activity we had done, and is now a treasured memory for us all. Thank you Dewa for inviting us into your home and teaching us so much, giving care to every detail. From - Sinead and family from Sydney :)"

"This was easily one of the most memorable experiences of our ten day vacation in Bali. Dewa is a fantastic tour guide, kindly guiding us through the lush, wild and exhilarating garden full of jackfruit, papaya, macadamia nuts...A beautiful experience with a highly capable guide and amazing food. 10/10 would recommend."

"Wat een fantastische kookcursus is dit! Dewa is een super lieve man die je eerst vanalles vertelt over Indonesië, zijn dorp en de gewoontes. Je mag hem echt alles vragen! Hij geeft op alles antwoord. De kookles is top verzorgd. Veel uitleg en we kregen een super leuk boekje om alle recepten mee in op te schrijven. Uiteraard ook heerlijk gegeten. Hij neemt werkelijk alle tijd voor je. We hebben genoten! Dikke aanrader."

"Dewa is a beautiful person and my husband and I felt beyond lucky to have met and spent time with him. This experience is much more than a cooking class, but rather a rare insight into the unique culture of the Balinese. Dewa was kind, informative, and willing to answer the plethora of questions prompted by the information he shared with us. If you're an open person in search of an experience that will open your heart and change your perspective on the world, book this. You will enjoy some fabulous food, sure, but you will leave with much more than a full belly."

"This was by far the best experience you can have while staying in Ubud. Dewa explained so much to us about his culture and spiritual beliefs. His home is beautiful and the food he taught us how to cook was exceptional. Even Doggie, his dog was lovely company! I can't recommend this experience highly enough. Amazingly Dewa had no idea TripAdvisor existed nor that his class is highly rated!He doesn't have internet and is informed of bookings via the local hotel. All the money feeds back into his community and he offers classes for educational purposes, not for profit as his family are extremely self sufficient. I will be recommending this experience to everyone I know who plans a trip to Ubud."

"The most incredible day! My day begun with Dewy picking me up at my hotel and driving me back to his village. All along the way, he told me stories from his grandfather and history about Bali and its people. Once we arrived to his village, he pulled over so we could walk the rest of the way. I loved talking with Dewy and learning all about his culture. When we got to his home, it was beautiful and I was given a quick tour before we started to prep for lunch. I sliced, diced and mixed alongside Dewy while listening to all the sounds around me. Seriously a magical place! I ate as much food as possible and he took me back to my hotel. One of my favorite experiences ever and I hope to go back and do it again!"

"We had such a wonderful time with Dewa, he created an exceptional experience. Much more than a cooking class he gave us a full history about Balinese culture, village walk talking about plants and fruits they use for cooking, visiting Dewa’s traditional Balinese home and much more... And the food that we cook was really amazing!He was very kind and happy to answer all our questions, no rush or tight on schedule he take the time to make a memorable experience with us. Go for the experience you won’t regret it! Thank you Dewa!Patricia & Stephane From Montreal, Canada"

"Lokales Essen zubereiten nach balinesischer Art (good but not delicious). Viele Informationen über die Kultur, Religion und ihr Zusammenleben. Spannender Tag und sehr freundliche Menschen."

"I've been to Bali since I was a kid, and this was my third trip together with my wife.This was far the most memorable event we had in Bali. Very inspirational, slow paced, relaxed and a lot of talking about Balinese culture.I would recommend to people who want to learn and experience Balinese culture. This is much more than a cooking class.Dewa was very kind and happy to answer all of our questions. He enjoys talking and sharing about their history and culture.If you enjoy communicating and learning, go for it!Things we loved besides cooking.1. Private tour, no rush or tight on schedule2. Village walk talking about plants and fruits they use as ingredients3. Visiting Dewa's traditional Balinese home4. Learning about Balinese culture."

"We had such a great day with Dewa. An amazing cultural experience, which we will treasure for ever. Dewa was a great tour guide and gave us so much information about the culture and the village he lives in with his family. To top this all off the food was out of this world. Do yourself a favour and book this experience. "

"We would like to thanks Dewa for his kindness and his wellknown in cooking!We were only us so we had time to visit the garden which was very instructif and very peaceful. Thank you to Dewa for all the nice informations to know about the balinese’s lifestyleWe had a pleasant moment and the cook was so good ! We also could bring home our recipe book of the day ! Very nice MemoryWe will be back ! Julie & Yannick"

"One of our favorite experiences when we were in Bali. Dewa picked us up at our hotel and took us to his farm where he gave us a walking tour and pointed out all things they grow and various trees including clove and cinnamon trees. We went to his home and lovely gardens for the class and learned so much about his culture. Highly recommend for a unquie experience. Thank you Dewa."

"Dewa created an exceptional experience! One of the highlights of my Bali trip! I encourage everyone to do this tour. I got a full history lesson on Bali culture, religious practices, farming, community and most importantly the people who commit themselves to all of the above. It’s really more than a Cooking Experience. It’s an immersive cultural experience that includes cooking. Don’t hesitate in booking this tour, you will leave it feeling the true energy and pulse of Bali!Thank you Dewa and Family Tawny"

"This is the 2nd time I have done this cooking class and it is a highlight of our trip. Dewa is a wealth of information and an amazing host. You start by going through the traditional village, which is great to see a working village. The cooking class is fantastic and the food delicious. Highly recommend it to anyone wanting to see a bit of real Bali. "

""Dewa was amazing. His class is both informative and hands on. You walk away with a better understanding of Balanese culture and how to cook their traditional dishes. A must do! Thank you Dewa, a major highlight to our holiday." 🙏"

"We were a group of three, and we all absolutely enjoyed our wonderful cooking day with Oak Dewa.Pick up and driving through the local villages near Ubud was charming, Dewa informing about all sorts of local village life facts.We had a wonderful walk through the rice fields to his house. We stopped and watched some local tofu being made.Once at his house a family compound he continued to let us know how life is within a compound, which was great for learning a little bit about the Balinese culture.We then started our cooking class which was fun and informative, lots of laughing too!We then ate all six of the wonderful dishes that we had helped prepare.I thoroughly recommend this as a tour, both cultural and fun and finally delicious!We enjoyed meeting Pak Dewa very much."

"Incredible food with an interesting and cultural experience. Dewa showed us his compound and provided insight into his life and culture. Definitely recommend for anyone trying to experience a true Balinese lifestyle."

"Incredible food with an interesting and cultural experience. Dewa showed us his compound and provided insight into his life and culture. Definitely recommend for anyone trying to experience a true Balinese lifestyle. "

"Vom Anfang bis zum Ende des Kurses ist erstaunlich Gastgeber von Dewa,eine kleine Tour durch die Bauernhöfe des Dorfes machen und die Gerichte erklären, fabelhaft gemacht"

"Dewa was more than just a tour guide or even a cooking guide. He went above and beyond to share wisdom passed from generations of the Balinese culture, religion, and way of life. It felt like you were walking around the jungle with the wisest man in the village (we believe he is!) and we left with so much inspiration pearls to try to incorporate into our everyday American life. Cooking was amazing too but the highlight was Dewa- believe the other reviews, this will surely be the best part of your trip!"

"We had a wonderful tour of small family farms and village with Dewa. During the tour we learning a lot about local village life. We also had detailed conversations with Dewa about the local views on religion and family - turns out he is quite a philosopher also!We then had a wonderful hands-on cooking experience where we helped to prepare all of the ingredients and cook the dishes. The food was the best that we had on the trip!This experience is highly recommended!"

"This was a gift from our daughter for my husband’s birthday and what a gift! Cannot express enough how wonderful it was. Dewa is a treasure- a wealth of knowledge with such a genuine love of his culture. The entire experience was quite overwhelming and the food was delicious. If you’re thinking about a cooking class in Bali this is the one!"

"We had a fantastic morning out with Dewa in his home. We started the tour by walking around the village, where Dewa explained more about his lifestyle and Balinese cultures, which was extremely interesting. He was very knowledgable and had such a great, positive outlook on life. A very inspiring character! Next, we went back to his house to learn about some of the key ingredients and help to chop and prepare them for cooking. Dewa presented us with a cute notebook to write down all the recipes so we can try them at home. We didn’t do all of the cooking, Dewa and his family/neighbours helped out too, but we did enough to keep us engaged and happy. We finished by enjoying an absolutely delicious lunch!A super morning which I would definitely recommend. Thank you Dewa!"

"Dewa is an excellent host, not only great cooking lesson but wonderful lessons on traditional Balinese lifestyle. We’ve been to Bali three times and done many activities, this ranks right at the top of the list. Would highly recommend. A memorable day out."

"Highlight of our Indonesian trip. Dewa picked us up from the meeting point and took us around the spice and herb garden, then walked us to his beautiful family complex! He has a wonderful garden, which is so peaceful (and an adorable dog called Doggie). We cooked a fantastic assortment of Balinese food, including corn fritters, chicken coconut curry, chicken in banana leaves, and more. Dewa introduced us to really delicious and special recipes which we wrote in a recipe book he gave to us - we will definitely try these again in the future!

We were so happy with our experience and would recommend it to anyone - couples, families with children, or large groups!Dewa also have us a wonderful insight into Balinese culture, giving us advice and explaining Buddhist concepts to us regarding food and our relationship to it. This made the whole experience very unique and stands out as one of our Indonesian highlights!"

"Had a fantastic day with Dewa and his family ! Dewa is such a fantastic character and has an amazing outlook on life. The class was fun but the walking through the village before the class was brilliant !! We didn’t do so much cooking as sorts but a lot of chopping and preparing. You make 6 or 7 dishes with loads of variety and flavour."

"We have been travelling Asia for the past 8 months and this has been by far the best cultural experience we have had. You take a tour of Dewa's village, pick from his community garden and then go to his home for a course in cooking traditional Balinese food. We learned so much about the traditions of his community. Would recommend this to anyone."

"Dewa picked us up at the hotel and drove us past Rice paddies to his village. On the drive there, he told us stories about the Balinese people, there Mongolian origins and hunter/gatherer lifestyle. At the village we walked through the village garden, rice paddy fields and a cemetery/cremation site. He pointed out the edible fruits and vegetables, talked about the use of ducks to manage weeds and insects in the rice paddies and explained about the burial and cremation traditions. We stopped by a home where a suckling pig was being prepared for the naming ceremony of a 3m old child. He was kind and patient in teaching us the recipies and left us alone to enjoy our delicious food. We like to enjoy cooking lessons in the various countries that we have visited, this is the best one ever! I would highly recommend this to everyone."

"Amazing experience. Meeting Dewa and his family and learning about his community's way of life on top of the cooking class was such an enriching experience.

We can't thank Dewa enough for the day that we had with him and his family... and Doggy. We are willingly going to recommend the cooking class to all our friends and family who travel to Ubud. One of our favourite quotes from Dewa - "Live every day like it is your last"."

"Meeting Dewa and his family and learning about his community's way of life on top of the cooking class was such an enriching experience. We can't thank Dewa enough for the day that we had with him and his family... and Doggy. We are willingly going to recommend the cooking class to all our friends and family who travel to Ubud. One of our favourite quotes from Dewa - "Live every day like it is your last"."

"Authentic Bali experience! We were met by the most wonderful man. He learned us so much about the culture and traditions of the Balinese people. It was so interesting. The class is located in his besutiful home with great surroundings. We made seven dishes and they all tasted delishious. He speaks great english and knows so much, and is very reflected about other people and cultures. By taking this class and buying from local shops, he told us, we support the local community - and he is so positive to the tourists coming to his village. We could not recommend this any higher!! It’s a great experience. Thank you Dewa!"

"We were met by the most wonderful man. He learned us so much about the culture and traditions of the Balinese people. It was so interesting. The class is located in his besutiful home with great surroundings. We made seven dishes and they all tasted delishious. He speaks great english and knows so much, and is very reflected about other people and cultures. By taking this class and buying from local shops, he told us, we support the local community - and he is so positive to the tourists coming to his village. We could not recommend this any higher!! It’s a great experience. Thank you Dewa!"

"It was a beautiful drive to Dewa’s family compound. What a treat to be invited into his home. He showed us many locally grown ingredients such as pepper, lemongrass, Kaffi limes & many more. Explained traditional family life & the importance of the grandparents to the family. We cooked basis Bali fare which was fantastic. Easily repeatable at home. We loved his gentle ways & love for his family & community. "

"Amazing experience not to be missed. What a fantastic experience with a wonderful host and his family. To feel at ease and immersed in the tradition and culture coupled with a well executed cookery class. An absolute not to be missed from anybody wanting to have a unique experience away from the tourist crowds. Highly recommend this as a must if you are visiting Ubud"

"A unique and delicious experience. What am experience! The cooking lesson was only a part of the days attraction. Dewa our host gave us a small glimpse into traditional Balinese life opening his home and heart to us.
We learnt when they take they must give back keeping their environment sustainable for future generations. Their gentle respect and love for others and their philosophy of living each day as their last.
Seven delicious recipes and dishes created from ingredients gathered from the family garden and fields. A day not to be missed !"

"What am experience! The cooking lesson was only a part of the days attraction. Dewa our host gave us a small glimpse into traditional Balinese life opening his home and heart to us. We learnt when they take they must give back keeping their environment sustainable for future generations. Their gentle respect and love for others and their philosophy of living each day as their last. Seven delicious recipes and dishes created from ingredients gathered from the family garden and fields. A day not to be missed !"

"Dewa is one of the most talented people in all of Bali and knows the area very well. On top of getting a cooking class we also received a history lesson on Bali and it’s culture. His personality is also extremely positive and he showed us how even though one can have very little they can be very lucky and very happy. Thank you Dewa for everything!"

"A cooking lesson with Dewa is an immersion experience through an intimate doorway of Balinese culture because Dewa is a great but humble teacher who is able to demonstrate how everything relates to everything in a spiritually, materially, culturally, communally sustainable manner via the Balinese way of life by showing us tangible manifestations and examples. We took “home” his lessons, and recipes, with gratitude, and this experience continues to live within us. We also thank the community lady who helped out with such fine mortar and pestle grinding of the ingredients that Dewa taught us how to prepare and who then flash cooked them with such dexterity. We thank the masterful (but gently humble!) art teacher and his students who showed us their wonderful work. We thank the neighborhood lady on the motor scooter who gave a hello honk each time she passed by. We thank the woman who was feeding the three chicks who fell out of their nest so that they could be later released to go on….Om Shanti. Shanti. Shanti. Om!Russ & Vicki"

"I would give this 6 stars if that was an option. I can’t say enough good things about this tour and cooking class. We met at a hotel then walked to the hosts home. On the way the host talked about the Bali culture. He explained about how life and death are treated, the role of grandparents and what brings happiness.

The host showed us numerous plants and explained what they are used for, (medicinal, food or both). He explained the palm coconut oil that would be used in our food was collected and made that day by his grandmother.

There were four in our group and we all participated in making the food. We wrote the recipe for each item we had for dinner. The food was FANTASTIC!

I have taken several cooking classes and this by far has been my favorite. It was more than just cooking. It was four hours of immersion into the Balinese culture.

Our host was so kind. This was a hidden gem on our trip."

"My wife and I did the private cooking class with Dewa. He was extremely knowledgeable of the area and traditional cooking skills. His home and family were very welcoming. His outlook on life was extremely refreshing. The food was not only delicious, but is also good for you. I would highly recommend this tour. Dewa is simply one of the best guides I have ever experienced!"

"This was the first thing we did visiting Bali and it was the perfect introduction to Balinese food and culture. Dewa has a very warm and welcoming soul. We enjoyed hearing stories and sayings from his grandfather and learning about Balinese life and architecture. We had so much fun cooking and seeing the rice fields and learning about different ingredients. The meal was delicious. Best food in Ubud!"

"Amazing experience and food! Dewa and his family were such kind hosts. They welcome us into their home and explained the customs of local Balinese life. We enjoyed learning the role that each generation plays in the home as well as learning about the different function of each space in the home.

The meals that we prepared came from the family's organic garden, so the ingredients were fresh. The meal was excellent. This was a great way to gain insight into the local traditions and foods of Bali.

Highly recommend!"

"Dewa and his family were such kind hosts. They welcome us into their home and explained the customs of local Balinese life. We enjoyed learning the role that each generation plays in the home as well as learning about the different function of each space in the home.The meals that we prepared came from the family's organic garden, so the ingredients were fresh. The meal was excellent. This was a great way to gain insight into the local traditions and foods of Bali.Highly recommend!"

"The highlight of our trip to Bali!!! My husband and I spent 10 days in Bali, and our cooking class with Dewa was such a special experience that we will always remember! We travel internationally frequently, and it was one of the best travel experiences we have ever had!

Dewa picked us up from our hotel and took us to see his land, crops, and home. We learned about how his family and community harvest and utilize every plant and crop in their daily lives. Throughout the evening we talked about Balinese culture, traditions, and food. We would not have gotten this level of immersion otherwise! We cooked a 7 course meal with Dewa, and I was so impressed with the variety of dishes we made. Everything was delicious and the meal itself was also one of the best we had our entire trip.

We talked about this experience for days following the class, and cannot recommend it enough to other who are looking for a truly immersive experience in Bali!

I cannot recommend this experience enough."

"The Highlight of Our Time in Bali! Having read the great reviews on Dewa’s garden and cooking tour, I was expecting something very authentically Balinese and exciting.

However none of the previous write ups can do justice to the incredible experience that my wife and I had in our few hours spent with Dewa.

Dewa is knowledgeable about the land on which he lives, the produce he uses, and the culture in which he is born.

The garden tour, the cooking class and conversation left my wife and I feeling enlightened, immediately speaking of a need to return to learn more from Dewa one day.

I highly recommend this experience and I will seek further experiences like this in other countries.

I’ve included very few photos below so as to not reveal too much."

"My husband and I spent 10 days in Bali, and our cooking class with Dewa was such a special experience that we will always remember! We travel internationally frequently, and it was one of the best travel experiences we have ever had!Dewa picked us up from our hotel and took us to see his land, crops, and home. We learned about how his family and community harvest and utilize every plant and crop in their daily lives. Throughout the evening we talked about Balinese culture, traditions, and food. We would not have gotten this level of immersion otherwise! We cooked a 7 course meal with Dewa, and I was so impressed with the variety of dishes we made. Everything was delicious and the meal itself was also one of the best we had our entire trip. We talked about this experience for days following the class, and cannot recommend it enough to other who are looking for a truly immersive experience in Bali!I cannot recommend this experience enough."

"Having read the great reviews on Dewa’s garden and cooking tour, I was expecting something very authentically Balinese and exciting. However none of the previous write ups can do justice to the incredible experience that my wife and I had in our few hours spent with Dewa. Dewa is knowledgeable about the land on which he lives, the produce he uses, and the culture in which he is born. The garden tour, the cooking class and conversation left my wife and I feeling enlightened, immediately speaking of a need to return to learn more from Dewa one day. I highly recommend this experience and I will seek further experiences like this in other countries. I’ve included very few photos below so as to not reveal too much."

"My wife and I went on honeymoon to Bali and one of our activities we wanted to do was a cooking course. We found this activity and were so incredibly impressed by it that in any recollection of our trip to anyone, this has been the one activity that we highly recommended anyone go on if they were planning a trip to the area (or even if not!)Dewa gave us a full village tour and lots of insight into daily Balinese village life. It was amazing to learn about the culture from someone who is not a professional tour guide but who lives it. The cooking class was great and we have our own recipe book for trying them out. Luckily we can source most of the Balinese ingredients (or close substitutes!)"

"Brilliant day, kids made specially welcome. The other reviewers are spot on: this is a wonderful experience and the absolute highlight of our trip. Dewan is as entertaining, humble and attentive as the other reviews suggest. For us, a highlight was how welcome and engaged the children were.

After being picked up from our hotel Dewa took us for a tour of his village and it’s “garden” - a lush and thriving area, quite wild, in which so many of the edible and medicinal staples are found. We visited the house of the village Brahmin, where we took impromptu lessons in traditional painting.

The cooking was marvellous. Our kids were at the centre of the experience, making coconut milk, mixing the batter for the fried bananas, stirring the corn fritter mixture and (under close supervision) chopping vegetables and tempeh.

The food itself was the best we had in the whole trip.

But without Heston the best part of the trip is Dewa himself. He is an articulate, gentle and insightful man, very proud of his village and it’s traditions, an ambassador for the importance of sustainability and community, and a lovely teacher.

The best day I’ve spent in ages."

"The other reviewers are spot on: this is a wonderful experience and the absolute highlight of our trip. Dewan is as entertaining, humble and attentive as the other reviews suggest. For us, a highlight was how welcome and engaged the children were.After being picked up from our hotel Dewa took us for a tour of his village and it’s “garden” - a lush and thriving area, quite wild, in which so many of the edible and medicinal staples are found. We visited the house of the village Brahmin, where we took impromptu lessons in traditional painting. The cooking was marvellous. Our kids were at the centre of the experience, making coconut milk, mixing the batter for the fried bananas, stirring the corn fritter mixture and (under close supervision) chopping vegetables and tempeh. The food itself was the best we had in the whole trip. But without Heston the best part of the trip is Dewa himself. He is an articulate, gentle and insightful man, very proud of his village and it’s traditions, an ambassador for the importance of sustainability and community, and a lovely teacher.The best day I’ve spent in ages."

"Our family of 4 learned so much about the traditional balinese way of life and food. We loved seeing their home, learning about their traditions, cooking with their wood fire stove, getting inspired by their nearly waste-free lifestyle and enjoying their gorgeous property. Dewa and his family were very welcoming and happy to have us! Definitely was a highlight from our trip to beautiful Bali!"

"We thought we had signed up for a cooking class but this was sooooo much more than we had expected! It really is a “private and personalised” class. Our host, Dewa, a very respectful and humble man was such a wealth of information and knowledge. We enjoyed hearing his stories and insights into traditional Balinese culture and lifestyle. Before arriving at his home, we were taken on a walking tour of his village and discovered the many different plants and animals that helped sustain the families living there. Under Dewa’s instruction, we prepared a Balinese feast and later enjoyed every delicious mouthful! We were pleased to learn that the entire village benefits from booking classes such as Dewa’s. It really was an honour to spend time with this gentleman. Wonderful host, great teacher and exceptional food! "

"We met the most sweetest guy and had the greatest experience on March 23, 2019! He was non stop smiling and so welcoming! This was life changing. He was very accomadating to pick us up at our Hotel even after I accidentally sent him the wrong hotel. He told us about his family history which made this tour super personal. He answered all of your questions and loved talking about his traditional ways. The food was incredible and I'm so happy he had us jot down the recipe! Also his "doggie" was adorable!! Definitely book with him, you won't regret it!!! This will surely be one of my greatest memories and story to tell down the road!"

"Beautiful experience. What an amazing day!!! This was organised for my birthday and I honestly could not of had a better day spent with Dewa. He came to pick us up from our hotel and drive us to his village - the whole time along the drive he spoke so much about his culture and gave us so much invaluable information about Bali and traditions and I have never learnt so much about Bali than what I did with Dewa!
Walking through his village was such a beautiful experience to see how they live and arriving at his house was just amazing - such a differently life to what I have here in Melbourne. We sat for a couple of hours with Dewa writing down his recipes and chopping up food and cooking the food along with the recipe - this way you can cook the dishes at home yourself. The food was the best I have eaten in Bali and will 100% be cooking this back at home. My partner, who does not cook much and was doing this more for me and my birthday absolutely enjoyed himself and got SO much out of the experience. If you are wanting an experience you will always remember than please book this class in - you will not regret it - Dewa is one of the most beautiful and kind human beings I have ever meet."

"What an amazing day!!! This was organised for my birthday and I honestly could not of had a better day spent with Dewa. He came to pick us up from our hotel and drive us to his village - the whole time along the drive he spoke so much about his culture and gave us so much invaluable information about Bali and traditions and I have never learnt so much about Bali than what I did with Dewa!Walking through his village was such a beautiful experience to see how they live and arriving at his house was just amazing - such a differently life to what I have here in Melbourne. We sat for a couple of hours with Dewa writing down his recipes and chopping up food and cooking the food along with the recipe - this way you can cook the dishes at home yourself. The food was the best I have eaten in Bali and will 100% be cooking this back at home. My partner, who does not cook much and was doing this more for me and my birthday absolutely enjoyed himself and got SO much out of the experience. If you are wanting an experience you will always remember than please book this class in - you will not regret it - Dewa is one of the most beautiful and kind human beings I have ever meet."

"A MUST DO. One of the big highlights of Bali.
Everything was perfect, from pickup to drop off.
Dewa was fantastic, the history as well as the cooking was a brilliant experience. Best food ever.
I couldn’t recommend this highly enough. Thanks Dewa."

"One of the big highlights of Bali.
Everything was perfect, from pickup to drop off.
Dewa was fantastic, the history as well as the cooking was a brilliant experience. Best food ever.
I couldn’t recommend this highly enough. Thanks Dewa."

"My partner and I did this cooking class last year and it was the absolute highlight of our trip. It gave me so much appreciation for the culture and the food we cooked was delicious. I still make the recipes at home today! Dewa is such a lovely man and I would highly recommend this tour!"

"We stayed in Ubud for 5 nights on our Honeymoon and this was by far the best experience we had while there. Not only was the food absolutely delicious but Dewa made the whole experience absolutely unforgettable. He welcomed us into his home and shared his family culture and traditions with us, and simply went above and beyond. This was the highlight of our Ubud trip without a doubt. You absolutely must book this if you are staying in Ubud!"

"Wow wow wow!!!! You will not have a better experience! Dewa and his family are welcoming, warm, and so kind!!! They are also brilliant teachers and cooks.
Wow wow wow!!! I wish I could’ve kept eating!
This is a MUST when stopping in Ubud. MUST!!!"

"You will not have a better experience! Dewa and his family are welcoming, warm, and so kind!!! They are also brilliant teachers and cooks.
Wow wow wow!!! I wish I could’ve kept eating!
This is a MUST when stopping in Ubud. MUST!!!"

"This was definitely a highlight of the trip, the reviews don't lie, was a great chance to experience the local traditions and the food was absolutely amazing and seemingly so simple to prepare. Make sure you have your sneakers on as you do a fair bit if walking to begin with through the rice fieldsThe ingredients are mostly prepared, but you will need to refine your chopping skills and you need to write down the recipe in a beautiful book made by local childrenHands on experience and delicious food to top it off. Beautiful location and prompt pick up and drop off to our Ubud hotel"

"Traditional Balinese Meal with Dewa. Dewa was very kind and a great host. He explained traditions, history and the importance of tourism on the island. His family was very nice and welcoming, and the food was amazing! He showed and opened his home to us and gave us an insight as to what local homes are like, and answered all of our questions. Unfortunately we did not do the extended option of cooking with the family, we wished we had though because the food was delicious and so fresh. A must do experience if you're in the area and want an insight to the locals daily life/ a home cooked meal."

"Ce fût plus qu’une simple expérience culinaire balinaise Nous avons appris auprès de notre hôte Dewa (qui au passage parle très bien le français )la culture et les traditions de son pays au cœur de sa maison familiale Nous avons tt d’abord commencé ppar un passage au jardin où nous avons pu découvrir diverses plantes puis visites des rizières Nous avons ensuite commencer à cuisiner nos diverses plantes légumes ...Et nous nous sommes bien sûr par la suite régalées À faire absolument expérience délicieuse et enrichissante "

"Traveling spoon Bali with Dewa. Dewa is a fantastic host! He is really kind and dedicated. His family too! He explain us a lot of his culture and traditions that were really interesting and also fun for us.
The food is delicious!! the best meal in Bali for sure."

"This cooking class was fantastic, Dewa is great he tells you a lot about village life Then you cook 6 Balinese dishes very traditional, you can even ask for your favourite. I’ve been to Bali 50+ times and I tried dishes you’d never get in a restaurant. Don’t expect a commercial kitchen it’s in a Dewas home. Totally recommend "

"More than a cooking class. The meal was wonderful, made more so because we participated. Possibly the best, and certainly the freshest, meal we enjoyed in Bali.

The overall experience was much, much more than a cooking class. Dewa is a kind and quietly passionate ambassador for Bali and the Balinese lifestyle.

I would sure love to meet his grandfather, because if Dewa learned just about everything he knows from him, grandfather must be a wise man indeed.

We were blessed, honored, and humbled by this experience, and simply cannot recommend it enough to others who are eager to develop a sense of Balinese culture."

"The meal was wonderful, made more so because we participated. Possibly the best, and certainly the freshest, meal we enjoyed in Bali.The overall experience was much, much more than a cooking class. Dewa is a kind and quietly passionate ambassador for Bali and the Balinese lifestyle.I would sure love to meet his grandfather, because if Dewa learned just about everything he knows from him, grandfather must be a wise man indeed.We were blessed, honored, and humbled by this experience, and simply cannot recommend it enough to others who are eager to develop a sense of Balinese culture."

"Had the most incredible time on our honeymoon with Dewa learning all about Balinese culture, touring his village and cooking and eating some of the best food we had the entire trip. I'm still dreaming of the 7 different things we had and since he was kind enough to provide the recipes, will definitely be recreating these the next time we have company over. The perfect host, Dewa was kind, charming, knowledgeable and very inviting to the amazing kitchen in his beautiful home. Had the most amazing time!!"

"Dewa was a phenomenal host. We walked through his village, where he explained his family's lifestyle. The food was fantastic. Easily the highlight of our Bali trip. This is a phenomenal way to get out of the touristy central Ubud. A must-do!"

"This cooking class was incredible! We were picked up in a lovely car with the most amazing host ever! He was kind and very informative! He told us all about Bali, the food and culture! He taught us about different plants and how they use the land here in Bali. Afterwards we went to his lovely family home and we learnt about the home and then we started cooking! Everything was clear and organized and we just got such fantastic instruction. We made an incredible lunch and then got to eat it there in his garden! Thank you so much for a wonderful experience!"

"Had a fantastic time taking this cooking class. Dewa was very knowledgeable and spoke great English. We walked through his village, while he explained all about Balinese life. The class itself was great and the food was amazing. Highly recommend signing up for this."

"Unique experience - Dewa as host. The host Dewa picked us up at our hotel, drove to a place outside his villlage and from there we walked to his home while he explained all the things we were seeing and answered our questions on everything from dogs to recycling.
Once we got to his home his wife and he taught us some Balinese cooking. They also gave us a glimpse into how a Balinese family lives and shared their home with us for a few hours.
This is a unique and highly recommended experience for anyone looking to get off the “tourist trail”. Our travel agent signed us up but I believe u can sign up through the Traveling Spoon website."

"We spent our last night in Ubud here with Dewa. It is truly different experience and Dewa is passionate, in a very gentle way, about his life in the village. Having eaten local food for a week, and we enjoyed it all - the dinner provided here was by far the best. Both quality and exceptional taste. It was fun to participate in the preparation of the wonderful result. Thank you."

"Wonderful experience wandering the village and feeling and hearing about the grounded life the inter generational families live. The best food I have had in a long time and I love to cook! Set in a beautiful home hosted by Dewa and surrounded by his lovely garden this is a must do if you love culture and want to have a genuine experience. My husband and I had a terrific interesting and very enjoyable 4 hour tour and cooking experience that was so much more than that. I will come again. There’s another 14 dishes to experience- can’t wait to come back. "

"A must do in Bali. This was our first Traveling Spoon experience. It can not be described by words. Dewa and his family are so great and friendly. The surrounding village, the fields , their house and Dewa himself was so calm and relaxed, it was a real pleasure and honor to be there :) The food was really delicious, never eaten better in whole Asia, it was so tasty, you could feel they put their heart into it ;) we were traveling with our 4 year old son , he loved the garden, animals, and the little other guys were great companions too.

Thanks Dewa again too share your day with us!"

"A unique and unforgettable experience. Exceeded all expectations and one of the most unique and unforgettable cultural experiences in Bali. Listening to Dewa candidly sharing with us his way of life, Balinese culture, traditions and religion will be something that challenges your approach to life from its very core. Summarising his simplicity and content approach to life (on the topic of age) "Like others in my village, I don't know my date of birth (and my age by extension). Quality of life is not about how long you live but by how happy and full you live each day to."

You pay for a 'cooking experience' and a 'garden tour' but you walk away with something truly intangible."

"Exceeded all expectations and one of the most unique and unforgettable cultural experiences in Bali. Listening to Dewa candidly sharing with us his way of life, Balinese culture, traditions and religion will be something that challenges your approach to life from its very core. Summarising his simplicity and content approach to life (on the topic of age) "Like others in my village, I don't know my date of birth (and my age by extension). Quality of life is not about how long you live but by how happy and full you live each day to."You pay for a 'cooking experience' and a 'garden tour' but you walk away with something truly intangible."

"Unforgettable!. I booked this for our family on my husbands 40th birthday during our holiday in Bali. It was a perfect day! Dewa is a kind and warm gentleman. We had a garden/ farm tour around his village and was so lucky to see preparations for the big special ceremony in the temple that only takes place every 50 years! The cooking lesson in Dewa's home was an amazing experience. We have a 6 month old baby and a (shy) 4 year old and Dewa made her feel very much at ease when involving her in the cooking. She enjoyed exploring his home and animals too! The food was the best we'd eaten on our holiday (better than the 5 star a la carte hotel restaurant we ate at that evening for husbands birthday dinner). I'd really reccomend doing this experience especially if you have kids. It was so great to see my 4 year old seeing and learning about where rice comes from and smelling all the different spice leaves Dewa picked for us. Last night at home, we cooked the chicken in coconut milk and the sweetcorn fritters for some family and everyone really enjoyed it! Even a couple of young fussy eaters enjoyed it too and had seconds! This is a must-do experience, especially if you have children. We got so much out of this day and learnt so much about the Balinese culture and way of that will certainly stay with us forever."

"Healthy and delicious. We had a delicious and healthy meal at Dewa's home. He and his family were very gracious and shared their culture and history with us before the meal. I am vegan and the meal was the best I have tasted in Indonesia. There were several different dishes ranging from tempeh to corn fritters to a beautiful salad. This is a not to be missed experience."

"Best part of our trip! What a unique and special experience! Dewa and his wife were so amazing - welcoming us into their family compound (it’s beautiful with orchids and coy ponds and fruit trees surrounded by rice terraces). We were able to easily cook 5 dishes and learned so much about the different medicinal uses of the different plants and spices. It was clean, there is a western toilet (for those concerned), and beautiful table in a large kitchen. It was worth every penny - I travel a ton, and this is an experience I won’t ever forget. Thank you Dewa!"

"Wonderful in anyway. My friend and I have just returned from Bali; during our trip we had the pleasure of spending an evening with Dewa and his family. I am lucky to have travelled to many different countries, but I have never had an experience as fascinating and informative as this one. Dewa is a man of great charm and intellect; he is also a gifted storyteller, bringing the history and stories of his family to life in a most memorable way. The walk through the village to Dewa's beautiful family compound opened our eyes and our hearts to better understand and admire the ways of this beautiful island...
Once we arrived at Dewa's house, the learning continued with stories of the traditions and meaningful aspects of life in a Balinese household, all told with warmth and humour. We then sat at the table in the outdoor kitchen whilst Dewa continued to weave history and tradition as he introduced us to the ingredients and methods for preparing our dinner. Dewa's wife and her assistants were graceful, patient and kind (my friend has a lengthy list of food intolerances!) and never once made us feel anything but welcome and appreciated. Dinner was redolent with spices such as garlic, ginger, coriander, lemongrass, pepper and galangal...all the flavours of Bali. In keeping with tradition, Dewa and his wife ate separately from us, joining us as we had finished our meal with crunchy banana fritters; almost too full for them, but not quite! We were driven back to our hotel and felt genuinely sad to say goodbye to these generous, warm-hearted, dignified people...I can't wait to meet them again."

"My friend and I have just returned from Bali; during our trip we had the pleasure of spending an evening with Dewa and his family. I am lucky to have travelled to many different countries, but I have never had an experience as fascinating and informative as this one. Dewa is a man of great charm and intellect; he is also a gifted storyteller, bringing the history and stories of his family to life in a most memorable way. The walk through the village to Dewa's beautiful family compound opened our eyes and our hearts to better understand and admire the ways of this beautiful island...Once we arrived at Dewa's house, the learning continued with stories of the traditions and meaningful aspects of life in a Balinese household, all told with warmth and humour. We then sat at the table in the outdoor kitchen whilst Dewa continued to weave history and tradition as he introduced us to the ingredients and methods for preparing our dinner. Dewa's wife and her assistants were graceful, patient and kind (my friend has a lengthy list of food intolerances!) and never once made us feel anything but welcome and appreciated. Dinner was redolent with spices such as garlic, ginger, coriander, lemongrass, pepper and galangal...all the flavours of Bali. In keeping with tradition, Dewa and his wife ate separately from us, joining us as we had finished our meal with crunchy banana fritters; almost too full for them, but not quite! We were driven back to our hotel and felt genuinely sad to say goodbye to these generous, warm-hearted, dignified people...I can't wait to meet them again."

"A truly wonderful and unique experience. We booked our tour with Dewa as we wanted to take the time to complete a cooking class during our stay in Bali. What we didn’t expect was that we would have one of the richest, authentic cultural experiences we have had in years.

Dewa is a wonderful, humble and thoughtful host who took the time to explain to us the Balinese way of life, the history of his village and their approach to living in harmony with the world. He took us on a walk through the land surrounding his village, explaining traditions and pointing out plants and herbs and their uses from both a culinary and a medicinal purpose. He even told us about the work he and his village do to reduce plastic pollution through recycling and repurposing it.

Once we made it to his house, Dewa explained the Balinese family lifestyle and routines including why the houses are payed out as they are. We had already got more than our money’s worth and the cooking hadn’t even begun.

The cooking lesson was excellent and hands on. Dewa took the time to explain the significance of the ingredients and their quantities in terms of both taste and medicinal properties. He was open and engaging with our questions and given his English is excellent we were able to have a great conversation.

The food we prepared was delicious and we took away the recipes as something that we will definitely be using at home. As Dewa said, food is like art - you start with the basic idea and then create it to your own preference.

Definitely the highlight of our Bali trip so far and one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling tours we have ever been on.

We couldn’t recommend it more highly!!"

"We booked our tour with Dewa as we wanted to take the time to complete a cooking class during our stay in Bali. What we didn’t expect was that we would have one of the richest, authentic cultural experiences we have had in years. Dewa is a wonderful, humble and thoughtful host who took the time to explain to us the Balinese way of life, the history of his village and their approach to living in harmony with the world. He took us on a walk through the land surrounding his village, explaining traditions and pointing out plants and herbs and their uses from both a culinary and a medicinal purpose. He even told us about the work he and his village do to reduce plastic pollution through recycling and repurposing it. Once we made it to his house, Dewa explained the Balinese family lifestyle and routines including why the houses are payed out as they are. We had already got more than our money’s worth and the cooking hadn’t even begun. The cooking lesson was excellent and hands on. Dewa took the time to explain the significance of the ingredients and their quantities in terms of both taste and medicinal properties. He was open and engaging with our questions and given his English is excellent we were able to have a great conversation. The food we prepared was delicious and we took away the recipes as something that we will definitely be using at home. As Dewa said, food is like art - you start with the basic idea and then create it to your own preference. Definitely the highlight of our Bali trip so far and one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling tours we have ever been on. We couldn’t recommend it more highly!!"

"Highlight of our Bali Trip. Cooking with Dewa far exceeded all expectations. He is a humble, friendly, gracious host that explains so much about Balinese culture as you walk through his village, pick ginger and turmeric from the side of the road. My family of 4 learned more in 5 hours with him, than in the 5 previous day's in Bali.

He explained so much and made me feel at ease. The final stop on the walk was us arriving at his household compound to begin cooking. He walked us through the compound, his outdoor bedroom where he often sleeps on the floor, his family shrine, the kitchen, etc. I wrote down the recipes of each dish, as we cut up, mashed into paste. This is the simplistic way his family cooks everyday, using a wood burning cook-top. All items are fresh, we even made out own coconut milk for a chicken dish. It was such an empowering and enlightening experience. I highly recommend this tour to everyone.

The most remarkable thing was telling Dewa about all of the positive postings in regards to his tour. He smiled humbly and said. "I didn't know". He doesn't use internet and only has access to email through the assistance of a local hotel and the Traveling Spoon agency. He lives his life in simplicity and it was such a breath of fresh air.
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"Cooking with Dewa far exceeded all expectations. He is a humble, friendly, gracious host that explains so much about Balinese culture as you walk through his village, pick ginger and turmeric from the side of the road. My family of 4 learned more in 5 hours with him, than in the 5 previous day's in Bali.He explained so much and made me feel at ease. The final stop on the walk was us arriving at his household compound to begin cooking. He walked us through the compound, his outdoor bedroom where he often sleeps on the floor, his family shrine, the kitchen, etc. I wrote down the recipes of each dish, as we cut up, mashed into paste. This is the simplistic way his family cooks everyday, using a wood burning cook-top. All items are fresh, we even made out own coconut milk for a chicken dish. It was such an empowering and enlightening experience. I highly recommend this tour to everyone. The most remarkable thing was telling Dewa about all of the positive postings in regards to his tour. He smiled humbly and said. "I didn't know". He doesn't use internet and only has access to email through the assistance of a local hotel and the Traveling Spoon agency. He lives his life in simplicity and it was such a breath of fresh air. "

"Dewa and family were lovely hosts and totally in touch with the island spirit and what it's like for us as visitors. It was fun, invigorating and most importantly delicious food. It was hands on enough to learn and hands off enough to not be arduous. The family compound was beautiful and instantly relaxing and welcoming. This is way better than any cooking school or hotel experience because it was a family doing it. "

"Extraordinary, Once In A Lifetime Experience. Our group of four spent a morning privately cooking with Dewa and until today, remain completely blown away and silenced by the experience. No exaggeration here. Hours with Dewa is probably similar to what walking with Buddha or Gandhi would be like. In short, an experience that you cannot put a price on. It was a private, gentle, soft, informative, and soul-touching experience.

Summary: Dewa arrived promptly at our hotel, drove us to a location near his home, parked and walked with us along the street to his home where we were exposed to rice paddies, local people working in the field, and seeing a day in the life of an average, hard-working Balinese person (whether in the rice paddy or in the soybean/tofu shop). We proceeded to his gorgeous home where we were treated to talking story about the Balinese culture before beginning the cooking class. After the cooking class, we were able to feast on everything that we prepared together before being shuttled back to our hotel.

We spent nearly a week in Bali and toured a total of three family compounds. Of the three, Dewa’s was truly the most gorgeous of the bunch. The entire compound is so beautifully appointed. It was a bit difficult to focus on the preparation and cooking because we were so taken with the lush gardens.

Upon arriving at the compound, Dewa sat us down and began talking about Balinese culture. He was also happy to answer any and all questions.

Before moving into the kitchen area, Dewa asked that we wash our hands. This step of the process impressed me the most because, well, hand-washing is not exactly a priority in Bali.

Next, Dewa asked that one of us take note of the recipes while others began processing the various vegetables and herbs.

We learned how to use a volcanic mortar and pestle and make a very common Balinese paste used for many local dishes. We also cooked using local ferns, made coconut milk from scratch, learned how to use a wok on an open fire and to fold and cook with banana leaves. In total, we prepared and cooked five dishes and the previously mentioned points in this paragraph were my personal highlights of the cooking portion of the class.

We truly appreciated the cleanliness of the cooking space, the hands-on experience, the explanations of the various herbs and veggies, etc.; the ingredients all being from Dewa’s family/extended family farm, and just how perfectly appointed everything was.

Dewa returned us to our hotel promptly following the course.

The price that we paid, though on the high-end (price being relative), was well worth it. We also tipped generously.

A cooking class with Dewa receives our absolutely highest recommendation and marks for a hands-down, positive, genuine cooking experience.

Our level of cooking experience is lifetime kitchen familiarity for three of us, with one beginner having no interest in the kitchen (who was all too happy to take initiative during the course). That good!

We have taken cooking classes before and Dewa’s course truly amazed us. Look forward to returning and booking with Dewa and Traveling Spoon again.

If you found this review helpful, please give it a thumbs up!
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"We were a group of 6 coming from a cruise liner docked in southern Bali. We were met by Dewa at a nearby hotel and went to his village. The walk to his home was very informative, we learned much about the culture and how he lives. Once at the home we met his lovely wife Jero and we helped cook lunch. Recipes were written down then printed and the lunch was excellent. the best part of the day really was learning about how they live and the culture. Highly recommended!!"

"This was hands-down one of the highlights of my trip to Indonesia! Dewa and his wife, Jero, were so warm and welcoming. They made us feel right at home and showed us around their compound, taking the time to really explain the local culture, their beliefs and how they lived, in addition to being wonderful cooking instructors. We learned about how the people in their village approach life and their relationship with food, which I felt made the experience far more enriching than just an ordinary cooking class.The cooking part itself was very hands-on, which I loved. We had so much fun, giggling with Dewa and Jero, and taking sooooo many of pictures of the amazingly colourful local ingredients that were a feast for the eyes before they ever made it onto our plates. And the end result was delicious! (Now if only I can reproduce the same results with the ingredients I have access to at home... Fingers crossed!)I was a little hesitant about booking with Traveling Spoon because it was pricey for my trip budget, but it came so enthusiastically and highly recommended by a woman I chatted with one day at my hotel that I decided to splurge. I can honestly say that it was worth every penny. I felt like I wasn't just learning how to cook a few dishes, I was discovering the local culture through food, giving back to the communities that I was visiting by supporting local business--and making two new friends in the process! I will definitely seek out Traveling Spoon again the next time I go away and plan to shamelessly plug it to anybody who asks!"

"The absolute best thing we did in Bali was the cooking class, not because of the cooking (that was just a bonus for me as a cookbook author and food writer) but because of our teacher, Dewa and the impact he had on us. My husband is NOT into cooking and this class was his highlight too - so that's saying something! Dewa is Buddhist (which is unusual for Bali) and lives in an Ubud village of 2000 people. He lives in his compound (house) with 4 generations and this is where the class is taken. It was an incredible experience to finally get to be inside one of these beautiful homes we often drove past. Many of them are so beautiful you think they are temples, but then realise they are actually peoples homes.It was a private class (some cooking classes have up to 40 people) so it was just my husband and I which felt really special, and it also included accommodation pick up. We covered everything from gardening and how they grow organically using things like crop rotation, how the compound has to be built and why (10% temple, 30% house, 60% for garden and livestock), about the traditions and religion and then about the food and cooking. This class was 5 days into our holiday so much of what Dewa was covering we already had interest in based on our Bali experience so far. Dewa studied linguistics for many years so his English is impeccable which was great for wanting to extend topics from just the basics to conversations on almost a spiritual level. He was one of the most humble, wise, kind and knowledgeable persons I have ever met, and a few times when he was talking to us I cried - in a good way. It's a hard thing to try and describe a connection you feel to someone - especially a stranger, but both my husband and I felt very blessed to have been able to meet Dewa. Every single thing we ate and cooked with he had the meaning for it and why it was good for us. For example, when we arrived he made us a lemongrass tea and he said "keep sipping the tea please, it will stop the mosquitos from biting you". We cooked 4 different dishes and there were also extra things made for us like salads and sambals. I'm sure there are many amazing cooking classes to attend in Bali, but I'm not sure if they would all have a Dewa. If going to Bali, this class is the number one thing I recommend you do!For my Bali Blog with all my travel tips, hot spots and photos, see The Forest Cantina (dot) com"

"This was SUCH a fantastic experience! Dewa and his family welcomed me into their home and we cooked the most delicious food I've ever eaten in my life. I felt truly immersed in the culture and learned so much about it beyond what I learned about cooking. Dewa was fantastic and I highly recommend him!"

"Dewa was great -- we learned so much from him! The food was great, but honestly, it was secondary to talking to Dewa."

"One of our favourite experiences in Bali. Dewa is a wonderful person. He teached us a lot not only about cooking, but also about Balinese life, culture and traditions."

"can't speak highly enough of the great experience preparing a meal in Dewa's lovely home. Dewa showed us the surrounding area and helped give us an understanding of the spiritual and traditional influences on his family's life in Bali. Plus the food itself was amazing - will definitely be trying some of the recipes again soon."

"Our best Bali experience. When I say, meeting Dewa and his family was one of the best experiences in Bali, it really sais a lot, because Bali is so amazing overall! It´s so much more than a culinary experience, (although food was so delicious!) he also opened the door to his house and culture, in a way we could not have found elsewhere. We are really grateful of this experience."

"Again, traveling Spoon has delivered an amazing experience. Everyone in my party was absolutely amazed and pleased with the experience we had. This is simply something that can't be found with other services. Our host opened her home to us, shared her life and customs, and guided us to prepare delicious food."

"Some of my greatest experiences while traveling on my own have been getting lost outside a city, meeting locals and the ultimate goal - getting invited to a meal at their home. When I came across the traveling spoon I was intrigued and excited at the idea and booked a meal right away for an upcoming trip to Bali with my husband and 2 year old daughter. Traveling as a family is entirely different than traveling solo or just with your spouse. I was so thrilled to have a more culturally immersive experience as a family, just like ones I had traveling alone! It felt very organic as if we had met this wonderful man while wandering the streets and he took us in to give us a traditional Balinese meal cooked in his home. He shared all about his beliefs and culture and answered all of our questions about how things work in his community, his traditions and everything in between. I left feeling like we had each taken away so much knowledge on top of truly enjoying every part of our little adventure with Dewa. I will definitely be using traveling spoon again and have already recommended it to friends. If you share my passion for food, travel and an authentic cultural experience I highly recommend trying it out on your next trip!"

"We had fun, we laughed, and we learned to cook interesting dishes. More importantly, we got to spend time and make a connection with a really special woman, and we felt so honored to be welcomed into their home. (which was an experience in of itself, Balinese homes are so beautiful). Highlights are - getting a tour of the garden, having a puppy play at my feet, seeing the kids come home from school and chatting with our host, she was really so sweet. We had a funny moment talking about the similarities of harvesting palm oil, and palm sugar, with harvesting maple syrup. Thank you so much Traveling Spoon for providing this experience, It was really one of my favorite days of my entire trip."

"We were gifted a cooking lesson with Putu and her family through the Traveling Spoon which proved to be one of the best experiences we had in Bali. For anyone looking to taste wonderful, real Balinese food and interact with a local family, this is a must-do activity for you!Putu and her brother-in-law picked us up at 7am and took us to visit two local markets where she had previously purchased ingredients for our extensive menu. This provided a great taste of local life, an eye into the community at large away from the tourists.Once at her home we were taken on a tour of her garden, family temple, and offered refreshing coconut juice as we met her family members that would be assisting with the cooking lesson. The kitchen, divided into three sections, was abuzz with activity for several hours as we chopped, ground, fried, steamed, wrapped, and prepared about 7 different courses - more if you take into account how wonderful Putu was in accommodating our various dietary restrictions. Everything was made with and without chili peppers for our varying tolerance levels and an emphasis was put on vegetarian dishes. As we were busy in the kitchen Putu and her family beautifully displayed each finished dish in palm leaves so that by the time we were ready, it was truly a magnificent feast with tastes far richer than we were getting at any of the Balinese restaurants. Left with hand-written recipes, colorful photos, new friends, and full bellies (complete with generous take-away boxes for left overs), we all thoroughly agree that a Traveling Spoon cooking lesson with Putu and her family should be high on the list of things to do when visiting the Ubud area."

"Amazing cultural experience and great food! Dewa was a really nice, laid-back host. He picked us up from our hotel and gave us some insights into the culture in Ubud, and his family's history dating back several centuries. He took us on a tour of his house/temple/garden, while introducing us to his family and explaining more about their customs and culture. Afterwards, we helped his wife and two daughters prepare the dishes that we ate for dinner. Dewa was extremely patient with us and walked us through each recipe, ensuring that we wrote down each one correctly so we could replicate at home. In instances where he wasn't sure if the ingredient would be readily available in the US, he also provided alternatives & substitutes, which was really helpful. The food was excellent and we really enjoyed having a part in preparing it. All in all, it was another amazing time! Thank you!"

"Great hospitality and culinary immersion in Ubud, Bali. I loved my "off the eaten path" experience in Ubud, Bali! This was a unique way to immerse myself in the local Balinese culture through a lovely family that is passionate about sharing their knowledge and culture with me through food. I learned a lot about the Balinese lifestyle and cuisine and had a great time cooking with Dewa and Jero. Jero can work the mortar and pestle like no other, creating fantastic Balinese spice pastes that are the foundation in many of their dishes. Dewa was also patient enough to drive me to/from my hotel, which was rather far away from their home due to distance/traffic."

"Wonderful experience. My wife and I had an excellent time with Dewa. He is extremely warm and inviting and puts you at ease right away. Honestly, I relaxed fully for the first time on this trip. We loved seeing Balinese culture from a local perspective, it's quite difficult to get this from the touristy hustle and bustle of Ubud.

We learned from Dewa (in his very good English) not just the "what" and "how" of Balinese cooking, but also the "why". As much a lesson in culture and philosophy as in cooking."

"Cooking class and so much more - definitely one of the highlights in Bali. The cooking class and meal at Dewa' s house was an amazing experience! Not only was the food delicious but Dewa was also the best host ever! This cocking class was definitely one of the highlights of our Bali trip!

You learn how to cook 4-5 traditional dishes and can taste what you cooked afterwards. Also you take the recipes home. You cook at Dewa's home and we had a chance to meet his wife and kids. So you do not only get a local cooking experience but also see how people in Bali live. Dewa tells you a lot about the local culture and philosophy, so the whole course is not only a cooking class but a holistic view of life in Bali.

On top of that Dewa is one of the most inspiring persons I have ever met and I took a lot out from the class with him.

I would definitely visit Dewa during my next trip to Bali and can more than recommend this cooking class"

"I loved my "off the eaten path" experience in Ubud, Bali! This was a unique way to immerse myself in the local Balinese culture through a lovely family that is passionate about sharing their knowledge and culture with me through food. I learned a lot about the Balinese lifestyle and cuisine and had a great time cooking with Dewa and Jero. Jero can work the mortar and pestle like no other, creating fantastic Balinese spice pastes that are the foundation in many of their dishes. Dewa was also patient enough to drive me to/from my hotel, which was rather far away from their home due to distance/traffic."

"A wonderful experience at his modest home which was more than just a dining experience. We talked about the culture and Balinese way of life, while we were cooking together."

"We were welcomed into Dewa's home and felt completely at ease. Dewa provided us with great insight into the culture of family life in Bali and the Hindu faith. We asked a lot of questions and Dewa responded with ease. We thoroughly enjoyed participating in the meal preparation and learning about the ingredients and especially appreciated the notebook to record the recipes for the food we would soon eat. Everything Dewa, his assistants and my husband and I prepared was delicious. By evenings' end we knew we had experienced a truly special occasion, one of the most memorable from all our travels over many years."

"We had fun, we laughed, and we learned to cook interesting dishes. More importantly, we got to spend time and make a connection with a really special woman, and we felt so honored to be welcomed into their home. (which was an experience in of itself, Balinese homes are so beautiful). Highlights are - getting a tour of the garden, having a puppy play at my feet, seeing the kids come home from school and chatting with our host, she was really so sweet. We had a funny moment talking about the similarities of harvesting palm oil, and palm sugar, with harvesting maple syrup. Thank you so much traveling spoon for providing this experience, It was really one of my favorite days of my entire trip."

"Dewa was not around, but his wife Jari filled in and did an excellent job. We've taken a few cooking classes around Southeast Asia and this was one of our favourites. Although each dish started with the same base or ingredients, they each had a lot of individual flavour and character. One of the highest praises I can sing about the food is that when I asked my partner what her favourite dishes were, she picked three of the five. When I picked my three out of five, we only overlapped on one dish. In most cases, we both agree on our favourite dishes, and to have us choose different things speaks to the overall quality and consistency here. The setting is also really special. The back of the property has a garden with a couple cows and a few pigs, while the cooking area itself is outdoors and surrounded by more plants: ginger, turmeric, galangal, chilies, lemongrass and fresh peppercorn are all growing within reach of the kitchen. I highly recommend this class, and I wouldn't change a thing about it."

"Some of my greatest experiences while traveling on my own have been getting lost outside a city, meeting locals and the ultimate goal - getting invited to a meal at their home. When I came across the traveling spoon I was intrigued and excited at the idea and booked a meal right away for an upcoming trip to Bali with my husband and 2 year old daughter. Traveling as a family is entirely different than traveling solo or just with your spouse. I was so thrilled to have a more culturally immersive experience as a family, just like ones I had traveling alone! It felt very organic as if we had met this wonderful man while wandering the streets and he took us in to give us a traditional Balinese meal cooked in his home. He shared all about his beliefs and culture and answered all of our questions about how things work in his community, his traditions and everything in between. I left feeling like we had each taken away so much knowledge on top of truly enjoying every part of our little adventure with Dewa. I will definitely be using traveling spoon again and have already recommended it to friends. If you share my passion for food, travel and an authentic cultural experience I highly recommend trying it out on your next trip!"

"It was an amazing expereine, Dewa were amazing hosts and we really enjoyed their company!"

"I had an amazing day with Dewa! I not only learned how to prepare Balinese home food, I also learned about Balinese every day life, their beliefs, religion and culture. Dewa was a great host. He made me feel comfortable from the minute he picked me up. Additional feedback: I have booked the market + cooking + meal package. But Dewa does not actually go to the market because everything he uses is from his garden. So this was a surprise for me. I talked to him about it and he would like to correct this on his description as he never visits the market (also timing wise it will not be work as the local markets close before noon). It would also be great if you could add the option of veg/non-veg / vegan similar as you have it already for spice level and alcohol."

"Best culinary experience of any vacations- Dewa was very calming and offered a divine experience incorporating culture, food, religious practices, and general personal connection."

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"My traveling companions and I visited a traditional Balinese family compound. Walking through the garden and rice paddies and learning about the culture from Dewa, our host, was an experience I will remember forever. There is so much wisdom to be gained by listening to people whose lives are different from ours. The Balinese people have few possessions, but their smiles are big and bright and their outlook is positive beyond belief. Thank you so much to Traveling Spoon for connecting us with Dewa and his beautiful family!"

"My boyfriend and I had a fun time learning about the Balinese culture while magically preparing so much food. I wish we could've shared it with our friends and family back home because it everything tasted so good. I'm very excited to have these recipes for life and the experience was a memorable one."

"It was a highlight of the trip, and an important cultural connection for our family, especially our kids."

"We absolutely loved our Traveling Spoon experience. Dewa and his family were so kind, and it was so interesting and fun to learn from him about local gardening, cooking and culture. Our night at Dewa's house was probably one of the best that we had in Bali!"

"The cooking class and meal at Dewa's house was an amazing experience! Not only was the food delicious but Dewa was also the best host ever! He explained a lot about the culture, their way of living and the food. That was a great way of connecting with the local culture. We definitely recommend doing a course with him - you will leave happy and inspired with a full belly :)"

"Our evening with Dewa, Jero and their family was simply a delight. The food, their stories, their patience answering all our questions, their heart-warming kindness - everything we saw, heard, smelled, stirred, chopped and tasted contributed to a wonderful experience that we will remember forever. We were picked up by Dewas lovely friend Kadek, who brought us to the family compound, where we met Jero and her sisters-in-law, who had prepared everything already. Jero gave us a tour of the marvellous garden which was rather short since it got dark quite quickly. Dewa joined us a little later and shared his vast knowledge about Balinese food, culture and life in general with us. We enjoyed gorgeous dishes and the wonderful atmosphere of this lovely family home - all in all a great evening!"

"Dewa was a wealth of information about his culture and the local environment. This experience was the highlight of our trip to Indonesia and has left us with so many wonderful memories and knowledge of the way that the locals live and view family, food, and life."

"Dewa my host in Indonesia Bali was the best host and experience I could ask for he went out his way to make my experience the best I could ask for he was warm welcoming and loving he showed me his home, his family and even let me write all my recipes down! Yum. I'm thrilled with my experience and would advise any one to do it!"

"Nothing to say, we just loved everything! From our host and the food to the traveling spoon service and the opportunity it gives to locals! You guys are amazing!"

"Truly wonderful and memorable first Traveling Spoon experience! Dewa was a warm, welcoming and knowledgeable host and the food was delicious. This was definitely the best way to learn about Balinese food, lifestyle and culture."

"I honestly feel like we now have a caring friend that lives in a village of 200 people, deep in the jungle in Bali. The time we spent with Dewa, our cooking mentor, was absolutely priceless and I will never forget it."

"This was one of the highlights of our time in Bali! The food was incredible, and cooking in the open kitchen over a fire was a real treat. Dewa and his family provided great insights into Balinese culture and traditions. Highly recommend Dewa!"

" My wife and I had an excellent time with Dewa this evening. He is extremely warm and inviting and puts you at ease right away. Honestly, I relaxed fully for the first time on this trip. We loved seeing Balinese culture from a local perspective, It's quite difficult to get this from the touristy hustle and bustle of Ubud. We learned from Dewa (in his very good English) not just the "what" and "how" of Balinese cooking, but also the "why". As much a lesson in culture and philosophy as in cooking. A definite highlight of our trip!"

"What an amazing way to get a real glimpse into someone's home, life, and culture. We learned so much about the Balinese culture from Dewa and the food was amazing night and plentiful, too. Highly recommend."

"This was hands-down one of the highlights of my trip to Indonesia! Dewa and his wife, Jero, were so warm and welcoming. They made us feel right at home and showed us around their compound, taking the time to really explain the local culture, their beliefs and how they lived, in addition to being wonderful cooking instructors. We learned about how the people in their village approach life and their relationship with food, which I felt made the experience far more enriching than just an ordinary cooking class. The cooking part itself was very hands-on, which I loved. We had so much fun, giggling with Dewa and Jero, and taking sooooo many of pictures of the amazingly colourful local ingredients that were a feast for the eyes before they ever made it onto our plates. And the end result was delicious! (Now if only I can reproduce the same results with the ingredients I have access to at home... Fingers crossed!) I was a little hesitant about booking with Traveling Spoon because it was pricey for my trip budget, but it came so enthusiastically and highly recommended by a woman I chatted with one day at my hotel that I decided to splurge. I can honestly say that it was worth every penny. I felt like I wasn't just learning how to cook a few dishes, I was discovering the local culture through food, giving back to the communities that I was visiting by supporting local business--and making two new friends in the process! I will definitely seek out Traveling Spoon again the next time I go away and plan to shamelessly plug it to anybody who asks!"

"It was a fAntastic and unique experience we will treasure for the rest of our lives. Dewa and his wife showed what true Balinese life is all about and we prepared the best meal ever! Nothing but amazing positive comments from all of us!"

"Everything was fabulous. We all enjoyed the host, along with all of the information he shared with us, the food and the experience. It was a lovely day."

"Dewa and his family were absolutely charming and gave us the nicest introduction to Balinese culture you could hope for!"

"It was pretty confusing throughout the entire process. It started with my misunderstanding of the price and pick-up time and so on. I also feel that adding another $10-12 for the garden tour was a bit too pricey. If the amount of time it takes is the problem, why not charge the price for the whole group instead of charging per person? I got lucky because of the generous discount you provided but I think without it I would have felt that the experience was a bit too pricey."

"Our host was just amazing. The way he shared their culture along with his relatives, their home and lives gave us the oportunity to glimpse a part of the true Balinese culture. The only problem is that now the standard is extremely high for our next travelingspoon experience."

"Friendly and genuine hosts in a fantastic setting"

"This experience was a gift for us... More than a cooking class, it was like a "way of living our lives class". At first we thought that the price was a little expensive for us as we were tavelling for a long time, but DEFINETLY it worths it!!!! Is the best way yo know and learn the place you are visiting! Our host was awsome and his family was beautiful. After this experience, for sure we will repeat it in every city that we visit. Thanks travelling spoons for giving us the oportunity to meet Dewa and his amazing family... And the last thing: we have stayed many days in Ubud and we didn't like balinense food until yesterday afternoon, delicious!!!!!!!"

"Amazing, Educational, Delicous"

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"Made was a great host. So funny and friendly, the food was great. Just an amazing time"

"Dewa was a really nice, laid-back host. He picked us up from our hotel and gave us some insights into the culture in Ubud, and his family's history dating back several centuries. He took us on a tour of his house/temple/garden, while introducing us to his family and explaining more about their customs and culture. Afterwards, we helped his wife and two daughters prepare the dishes that we ate for dinner. Dewa was extremely patient with us and walked us through each recipe, ensuring that we wrote down each one correctly so we could replicate at home. In instances where he wasn't sure if the ingredient would be readily available in the US, he also provided alternatives & substitutes, which was really helpful. The food was excellent and we really enjoyed having a part in preparing it. The only semi-weird thing was that we ate separately by ourselves at a table (it wasn't clear if the family had eaten before we got there or was waiting until after we left), which was different than our other experiences but wasn't awkward or anything. All in all, it was another amazing time! Thank you!"

"Dewar and Made were wonderful hosts. Walking around Dewar's tropical vegetable garden was an incredible insight into Balinese agriculture and history. In the family compound, Made helped us to make 4 traditional and delicious dishes over the kitchen fire. For us this was an unique way to meet local people, understand more about Balinese culture and to enjoy the process of cooking some great food (best chicken curry ever!)."

"This was an incredible experience for our family. We cooked every dish from scratch, using all local ingredients, nothing store bought and over a wood oven! Our hosts were lovely and we learned so much about the culture."

"We had a fabulous experience and integration into real Balinese cooking and culture. Authentic food, setting, cooking, and people."

"Well, that would take more than 1 minute :) . I'm on a mobile device and can't write anything lengthy right now. Lots of positive things to say and I will follow up via email."

"Our first Traveling Spoon experience was simply perfect from start to finish! Dewa and Jero were wonderful hosts. We learned a huge amount about Balinese culture and Dewa was happy to answer any questions we had. Their traditional-style house and village are beautiful. The cooking lesson was fantastic, and the resulting meal delicious. The experience was definitely the highlight of our time in Bali."

"I loved my "off the eaten path" experience in Ubud, Bali! This was a unique way to immerse myself in the local Balinese culture through a lovely family that is passionate about sharing their knowledge and culture with me through food. I learned a lot about the Balinese lifestyle and cuisine and had a great time cooking with Dewa and Jero. Jero can work the mortar and pestle like no other, creating fantastic Balinese spice pastes that are the foundation in many of their dishes. Dewa was also patient enough to drive me to/from my hotel, which was rather far away from their home due to distance/traffic."

"Unbelievably amazing!"

"My three friends and I went into this experience without much knowledge about Balinese culture other than what we had gleaned from our travel books, and we left our hosts' house with every question answered in great detail. Dewa and Jura are a lovely couple who clearly have so much fun together, which poured over onto all of us. They and a few other women from the town had prepped a ton of food, but they got us involved with the chopping and grating and frying, not to mention eating!!! They explained each of the ingredients, discussing the health benefits and different ways of eating everything. We got to grate and milk coconut, wrap tuna in bamboo leaves, and fry corn fritters! The meal we helped to prepare was so delicious that my mouth is watering now just thinking about it. Wow! In addition to the food, Jura and Dewa showed us around their family's home, which is a traditional multi-generation compound with pigs and chickens in the back and a number of different structures for sleeping, eating, praying, etc.The home was beautiful, and learning about their traditional practices (like the ways they name their children and their ceremonies) was fascinating. Dewa and Jura are warm, welcoming people with plenty of fun stories and insights on local customs to share (in flawless English, no less). I can't recommend a visit to their home highly enough. Thank you, Steph and Aashi, for arranging such a fantastic experience for us!! It was the highlight of our trip to Bali, and that is saying a lot!!!"

"We absolutely loved our experience. It was really fun, meaningful, and educational. The whole purpose of travelling for us is to broaden our minds and learn by meeting people with different ways of life. Doing this cooking class was perfect for that as we got a really intimate experience cooking in the home compound and seeing how they live through how they cook and eat. It was really special to spend several hours one-on-one with a local who really spoke English well and was able to communicate to us so much about his way of life. Our conversation and interaction started and centered around food but we branched out to many other topics like health, daily life, spirituality, and family. The environment of cooking in a local traditional kitchen was also very fascinating and immersive for us. We were really impressed with how self-sufficient the Balinese way of life is since almost all of the food was grown at home and many of the tools were home made as well. The oven for example was simply a brick fireplace with some holes cut into it to let the fire heat the pots and pans. And our coconut grater was a special piece of prickly bark! Our teacher Made was a really good teacher and really took care and time in making sure that he passed on a lot of knowledge to us so that we could bring our lessons home with us and keep them forever. We spent an amazing 4 hours together and made 5 different dishes, we really felt we got our money's worth and had a huge feast at the end! There were also two other women helpers (Putu and Kaidek) who didn't speak English with us but helped with the cooking. They were very sweet and welcoming and amazing to watch in the kitchen. We love the idea of Traveling Spoon and are very excited to try it in other places that we visit! We have already told multiple friends about it :)"