English-Friendly Japanese Cooking Classes in Tokyo

There are plenty of English-friendly cooking classes scattered around Tokyo catering to residents and visitors.

Under the guidance of renowned and professional chefs who have published cookbooks and worked in some of Japan’s most popular restaurants, attendees can learn how to make traditional dishes or blends of classic and modern Japanese cuisine such as sukiyaki, sushi, okonomiyaki, tonkatsu, gyoza, ramen, vegan / shojin and many more iconic meals.

Make your dining room table your next Michelin-star restaurant with the help of some of Tokyo’s top cooking classes taught in English for all newcomers. 

Language Barrier? No Problem at Roppongi’s: Tokyo Cook

Some reviewers labeled Tokyo Cook as “the highlight of my trip” on TripAdvisor, along with other high praise from the Michelin Star Guide. Guests will have the best culinary guides in Roppongi with some instructors who have created award-winning dishes or become fourth-generation sushi chefs.

This culinary studio, located in Roppongi, offers classes taught in English by professional chefs who create seasonal menus that blend classic and modern dishes in a private kitchen for new and regular students.

Tokyo Cook’s classes range from one to six hours, including intensive multi‑day courses. Students will learn to make all different kinds of courses, such as sushi, nigiri, maki rolls, or kaiseki dishes, tsukemono, nimono, Shojin Ryori—Buddhist vegetarian cuisine—homemade udon or soba, tamagoyaki and more.

People can also request specific dishes or dietary options in advance. A few items that guests enjoyed were tofu-focused meals, miso tastings, different vegan and vegetarian adaptations and Wagyu beef dishes.

Taste of Home with Cooking School Yuka Mazda

Located in Shibuya near Ebisu Station lies a cozy home kitchen and welcoming energy from Chef Yuka, a Japanese chef renowned for her warm teaching style. Yuka’s classes are perfect for those who are looking for a cooking lesson that is a bit more on the personal side rather than a commercial venue.

Yuka’s kitchen is highly acclaimed with a 4.9/5 rating on TripAdvisor, receiving many positive comments from guests. She is loved for both her variety of delicious menu options as well as her accommodations to dietary restrictions, offering vegetarian adaptations and tailoring menus to preferences such as tonkatsu rather than seafood as substitutes.

Her course selection varies with a wide range of menu options such as okonomiyaki, gyoza, yakitori or yakisoba, gyūdon, homemade ramen including broth preparation, miso salad, miso soup and pickles. Special sessions can include Wagyu beef gyūdon, tonkatsu, ramen or sushi depending on the class package.

With Yuka, people can also receive tips, tricks and demos on step-by-step knife sharpening and ingredient sourcing tips, access to recipes in English, as well as extra culinary tips via email and occasional garnishes or tea and desserts such as matcha sweet tea.

Enjoy a Warm Atmosphere With Satisfying Comfort Foods at Chef Mayuko’s Home Kitchen

Located in a cozy home kitchen near Sendagaya Station and just a short walk from Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Mayuko meets guests at Sendagaya Station and leads them to her home where they make ramen, sushi rolls, bento boxes, karaage, tempura and more.

Inspired by her mother who was a cooking teacher, Mayuko Okada founded Mayuko’s Little Kitchen in 2015. Okada has taught more than 3,500 students from 35+ countries and holds a variety of certifications including sushi instruction and has received Japan’s MAFF Food Project Judges’ Award in 2020. Her cooking class has ranked among Japan’s top 10 activities and earned TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice consistently for almost seven years.

Her cooking classes run for about three hours with the option to start at 10:00 am or 5:00 pm. The all-English instruction is suitable for beginners with another bonus being recipes and printed instructions are provided.

Some popular dishes you can recreate are sushi, ramen, gyoza, vegetarian and vegan sushi with sides of homemade miso soup, a panda bento box course and multiple home-style dishes. Okada also offers  educational extras such as ingredient breakdowns on Japanese spices, matcha-tea whisky demos and printed recipes.

From Kyoto to Shinjuku Comes Cooking Sun Tokyo

Cooking Sun opened its Tokyo branch in 2016 based on its original launch in Kyoto. Classes last up to about three hours and are highly instructed but also beginner friendly, so if you’re not confident in your cooking skills, they will make you feel welcome and right at home nonetheless.

The meals you will be making focus on sushi-making and kaiseki-style dishes. The sushi classes will teach you all about nigiri, inari, hosomaki, tamagoyaki, miso soup and seasonal sides that complement each dish.

As for the Wagyu & Seven Japanese Dishes Class, you can prepare a full-course meal with dishes including dashi, miso soup, sesame salad, tofu-stuffed dishes, sukiyaki-style Wagyu hotpot, potato salad and classic desserts such as dorayaki pancakes. Adaptations can also be made with vegetarian and vegan options.

All sessions are taught in English by one of the local instructors. Students will learn all about ingredient and seasoning insights, cooking demonstrations and printed recipes to recreate these dishes at home.

Eat Like a Buddha at Buddha Bellies Tokyo!

For all of the travelers out there coming to Japan with slightly stricter dietary restrictions but still wanting to experience a fun culinary cooking class, there is Buddha Bellies Tokyo.

The culinary space is set in a private, apartment-style classroom that makes guests feel tucked away from the city atmosphere, with a more personal, interactive learning approach. Ayuko Kokado, founder and teacher of Buddha Bellies, is a certified sushi instructor, sake sommelier and professionally trained in kaiseki-style cooking. She is fluent in English, perfect for a foreign audience. Executive Chef Shugo also leads select sessions, with experience in kappō cuisine and international private chef work.

Classes start from  11am to 1:30pm, although you can request an evening option. The classes include ingredients, recipes, beverages—such as sake, beer, plum wine or tea—free apron and towel rental plus a recipe PDF.

Popular courses include sushi making such as maki rolls and fish cutting lessons, standard washoku (Japanese food), traditional Ichijū‑Sansai, decorative sushi rolls and vegetarian/vegan sushi. Bento box (Shokadō style), okonomiyaki & gyoza classes are available with full accommodation for vegan, vegetarian, halal or kosher diets.