Be a Saigonese, I realize one thing that more and more people from other regions through Vietnam often flow to this metropolis for working, studying, and living. In the process of migration, they unintentionally bring some features in their culture, cuisine, and lifestyle to this urban area. That is the reason why Saigon is referred to as a land of multicultural concentration.
With such multicultural elements, Saigon is surely where you can find dozens of amazing things to experience. One of them is about the diversity and richness of Vietnamese cuisine which you can only get a sense of if trying a cooking class.
To answer why you should choose a cooking class in Saigon to try, perhaps, everything you need to know first is what cooking class is. Here, I will also explain to you how attractive the cooking class in Saigon is and give you some recommendations in the case that you are concerned about this experience.
Have you known what cooking class is?
Aside from sightseeing tours to witness fabulous landscapes, itineraries to explore culture and history, or activities to enjoy in some region, a cooking class is what you ought not to miss when you visit that land. Why? It is simply because here is a chance to approach a new cuisine with interesting and wonderful things to know about. It will be a lie if you say that you can understand all things regarding the cuisine of a country by tasting its food or specialties. Actually, the best way is to attend a cooking class in which you will be overwhelmed by indigenous ingredients, know how to concoct food, and recognize the quintessence of the local cuisine.
Is a cooking class in Saigon attractive enough?
Most international travelers never fall in a bad situation in which they do not know where to go, what to explore, or what to do when they make a trip to Saigon, Vietnam. There are lots of things you can be involved in during the trip. For instance, a city tour will enable them to uncover the charms of architecture, history, and even development of Saigon. Or a trip to the outskirts of Saigon is the best way to trace remarkable events in the history. An alternative is to attend a cooking class – a kind of tour to learn about the excellence in Vietnamese cuisine.
You are wondering if a cooking class in Saigon is attractive enough to try, aren’t you? It is true to say that the answer depends on the quality and type of cooking class. Normally, a cooking class in Saigon includes a visit to a Vietnamese market to shop for necessary ingredients and practice of your cooking skill under the chef’s introduction.
When you are led to the traditional market, it is fantastic to realize some vegetables and food which are probably never found in your country. Moreover, it is where you can see how the locals sell their products and how to bargain to get a deal. It is not strange that bargaining is also considered as a kind of art in the market.
To have something different and more attractive, some organizers of cooking classes in Saigon might take you to local gardens in the outskirts where you will directly cut fresh vegetables for ingredients. It is believed that you fail to refuse an excursion in the garden which owns unique characteristics of Vietnamese culture.
As for cooking with the chef, what makes the class absorbing is that you not only follow the chef’s introduction to make tasty dishes, but also get an opportunity to touch the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine. You will be explained how the balance of each dish is according to Yin-yang philosophy.
Keep in mind that sometimes enjoying even culinary delights at a luxurious restaurant is not a good way to go deep inside a regional cuisine.
Some recommendations
If you have not had any idea about organizers of cooking classes in Saigon, the following list is for you.
- Chef Vu Cooking Class: 6/28 Cach Mang thang tam Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
- HCM Cooking Class: 275 provincial route 2, Hamlet 3, Phuoc Vinh An, Cu Chi District. Tel: +84 8 3794 2175
- Saigon Cooking Class: 74/7 Hai Ba Trung Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
- GRAIN Cooking Studio: 71-75 Hai Ba Trung Street, District 1
- M.O.M Cooking Class: 39A Co Bac Street, District 1
- Cycloresto Cooking Class: 33A Dang Tran Con Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
- “Mai” Home – The Saigon Culinary Art Centre: 269 Bis Nguyen Trai Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1. Tel: +84 28 3838 6037
- The Vietnamese Cooking Class: 114A Tran Quang Khai Street, District 1
- Lua’s Kitchen – Vietnamese Cooking Class: 12 Ton Dan Street, District 4
- Chez Mimosa Cooking Class: Chez Mimosa Home, 71 Co Giang, District 1
