Noriko will host you at her kitchen studio which is within walking distance form JR Osaki station. Sip on a refreshing drink before rolling up your sleeves to prepare to cook the menu choice that you suggested when creating your booking, either the seasonal washoku gozen of seasonal, traditional Japanese dishes or the more modern Kyara-ben, character bento. If you chose kyara-ben, you will learn all about Japanese home-style bento box and its playful twist, with the help of handy new gadgets and old style Japanese tools. If you chose washoku gozen, you will learn how to make several kinds of traditional and seasonal Japanese dishes from scratch. Since dashi is the foundation for most dishes, you will learn the method for making dashi in either cooking class, and you will transform it either into a soup or small dishes. You will end your experience with recipes that you can use to recreate back home the dishes you learned in Tokyo.
Please specify whether you would prefer to learn the traditional Japanese washoku meal or the more modern bento box when you make your booking request.
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.
Seasonal washoku gozenKyara-ben (character bento)Noriko was inspired to share her culture and cuisine after an incredible experience she had cooking and eating with a local family living in rural New Zealand, where they use a boat regularly to get around. On her return to Japan, she began offering cooking lessons in Tokyo with the sole objective of sharing authentic Japanese food and culture with the world. She specializes not only in traditional cuisine like washoku gozen, seasonal and authentic Japanese dishes but also in showcasing modern trends that Japanese housewives’ use in their everyday cooking. Her specialty is ‘kyara-ben’, a character bento box in which she arranges food in elaborate styles to look like popular characters, people and animals. Her recipes are all about balance in flavor, nutrients and colors so your Japanese bento/gozen will be a treat for your eyes and taste buds. Noriko speaks impeccable English and is happy to share stories about food and culture in Japan over lunch. On the days Noriko is not available, another instructor at her school will be assigned to your cooking experience.
"I was so lucky to be gifted a class with Noriko. I have a five year old granddaughter who is in Kindergarten this year and very much wanted to be able to make fun lunches for her occasionally. This class was perfect and Noriko was extremely patient and supportive of me during the class. Her detailed notes for preparation prior to the class ensured that I was ready to go right away. I am now researching and planning some really wonderful and different lunch boxes for when it is my turn to provide for her. Thank you Noriko."
"We had the best time and actually learned a lot. It was our first online cooking experience as a family (we have two boys 12 and 14) and they had a lot of fun."
"Noriko is a lovely host who made the class very clear and easy to understand. The experience was definitely one of a kind, something both my sister and I really enjoyed and will be recommending to our friends!"
"I wanted to take a minute and let you know how much we enjoyed our cooking class with Noriko last night. First, her camera setup and all the instructions were so professional. I had no trouble prepping for the class (even with the stay-at-home orders here in Texas) and getting the ingredients and tools in place before we started. And once we got underway, Noriko was so personable and patient...and she didn't even mind when our egg crepe turned out in a big heap! (But we learned from our mistake and will try that step again this weekend on our own!) :) Noriko (and her son acting as cameraman, who was adorable by the way) was a delight. I can't wait to do more of these classes with our boys. Thank you for putting these online classes together for all of us travelers who are anxiously awaiting that day when we can return to our adventure and education on the road!"
