You will be greeted with a warm smile, some refreshing tea and printouts of the menu you will prepare for lunch. Masa and Junko's cooking studio is spacious, clean and decorated with an array of Japanese bowls and cups, giving the space a homey feel. After you get a better understanding of Japanese food and culture, you will sit down with your host to share an authentic meal that may include dishes such as buckwheat soba noodles or sushi and sashimi or shokado bento or tempura and okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake).
Enjoy a 2.5 hour hands-on cooking class where you will make your own sushi. Your host will first demonstrate the cutting and cooking technique and then will let you roll your own sushi. At the end of the class you will be able to throw your own sushi party! Alternatively, you can also choose one of the other cooking classes they offer - buckwheat soba noodle, shokado bento, tempura and okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake). Please let us know your preference when you book the experience.
After you meet your host at the Senju-Ohashi station you will take a bus together to the Adachi fish market, a 10 minute ride away. The Adachi fish market is the second largest wholesale fish and seafood market in Tokyo after Tsukiji. While the Adachi fish market is not as popular with tourists as Tsukiji, it is where the locals usually shop, giving you a very authentic feel of how a market in Japan looks. Here you will see a wide variety of tuna, fresh fish and shellfish as well as salted and dried sea products (salmon, dried fish, roe).
Please note the days that this market is closed as listed on this site (grayed lattice pattern shows the days it is closed): chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.shijou.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/calendar/pdf/calendar/04suisan.pdf. Please be sure not to book a market experience on this day.
Please note that this experience takes place in a professional cooking studio, not in a home. Masa also offers a vegetarian sushi class for those who are interested. Depending on the day, you may be hosted by Masa or Junko.
This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
D: Tempura and okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake)C: Shokado bentoB: Buckwheat soba noodleA: Sushi and sashimiPlease choose ONE menu from the below options:Masa and Junko are experts in the field of Edomae sushi (using fresh fish from the market) and washoku (traditional Japanese food). Masa was in the import and export business and often entertained his partners over a homecooked Japanese meal. These partners enjoyed the food so much that they convinced Masa and Junko to start a cooking studio, to share their passion for food.
Masa learned to cook from his parents and further developed his skills by reading books and inviting friends over to try new recipes. Eventually he was not only trained by the elite Sarashina Soba chef but also went to culinary school to learn to cook Japanese cuisine. After Junko graduated from university she worked at a food company where she cooked every day and developed her culinary skills. Later she went to cooking school to learn to make artisanal, handmade bread. She owned her own cooking studio herself before joining Masa. Together they offer a variety of cooking classes - buckwheat soba noodles, sushi, tempura, and shokado bento. Masa and Junko are excited to showcase their Japanese cuisine and hospitality. Depending on the day you visit, you might be hosted by Masa or Junko.
