Cookies! They are not just something we eat. This site uses cookies so we can provide you the best user experience and deliver advertising and offers that are relevant to you. To read more about our cookie policy, including how to change your cookie settings, please read our Privacy and Cookie Policy. By continuing to use the site you are agreeing to our cookie policy.
I accept
VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Noriko

Tokyo, Japan

USD
$118 per person

Learn to prepare a modern bento box or traditional Japanese dishes with an expert

Host offerings
  • Cooking studio
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Noriko

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.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (2-10 guests) 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.

Notes: 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.

Languages spoken: Japanese,English

Sample menu

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 gozen
  • Kyara-ben (character bento)

Traveler reviews

4.0 (1)
I love using traveling spoon to find local cooking classes. I chose Noriko's class in Yotsuya, Japan because it said she spoke English (not always the case). My husband and I had a fun ~3hrs or so cooking and eating with Noriko and her assistant. We learned the traditional methods of cooking dashi, miso soup, miso salmon, tamago, pork-wrapped okra, and an anchovy rice. Would recommend!
- Kelly T March 01, 2018
Ea2637b6 694e 4a02 8584 3a57e634022b

Noriko

$118 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $118 $118
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $118 $118
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm

Meet Noriko

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.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (2-10 guests) 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.

Notes: 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.

Languages spoken: Japanese,English

Sample menu

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 gozen
  • Kyara-ben (character bento)

Traveler reviews

4.0 (1)
I love using traveling spoon to find local cooking classes. I chose Noriko's class in Yotsuya, Japan because it said she spoke English (not always the case). My husband and I had a fun ~3hrs or so cooking and eating with Noriko and her assistant. We learned the traditional methods of cooking dashi, miso soup, miso salmon, tamago, pork-wrapped okra, and an anchovy rice. Would recommend!
- Kelly T March 01, 2018
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $118 $118
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $118 $118
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.