As they say, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans Do', why not the same when in Bali? The cooking classes in Bali are a great way to have a light-hearted yet immersive experience of living like a Balinese. Participants get to learn to prepare and cook various vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indonesian dishes and enjoy the fruits of their labour with a hearty meal at the end. With most of the classes including a local market tour or a self-harvest session of some of the best local produce on the island, they are a great way to learn and appreciate the culture and habits of the native Balinese.
1. Paon Bali Cooking Class
Situated at Laplapan village near Ubud, Paon Bali Cooking Class takes place in the owner's traditional Balinese home. With ample staff who stay hands-on throughout each session so participants never miss a step, this school is popular for offering one of the best cooking classes in Bali. Each class starts with a local market tour where the guests can choose their choice of vegetables, protein and spices. In the kitchen, participants can prepare from a list of dishes where instructions are given in English with proper love and care.
Cost: Starts from IDR 350,000
Timings: 8:30 AM (morning shift), 3:30 PM (evening shift, does not include local market tour)
Duration: Nearly 5 hours
2. Ketut's Bali Cooking Class
With a free pickup service offered, a local market tour, a friendly culinary staff for guidance, and the know-how prep of a nine-course meal, the Ketut's cooking class stands out as a friendly activity to learn how to cook like a Balinese. Formerly known as Payuk Bali Cooking Class, it is one of the oldest cooking classes in Bali. Sessions for vegetarians and vegans are available in plenty, and the sessions can be done with a minimum of a single participant.
Cost: IDR 350,000 (both morning and afternoon sessions)
Timings: 8:30 AM to 1 PM (morning session), 3 PM to 7:30 PM (afternoon session)
Duration: 4 hours 30 mins
3. Pemulan Bali Farm Cooking School
Owned and run by a group of local villagers, the Pemulan Bali Farm Cooking School aims to teach sustainability and evergreen cooking in Poulan, Bali. By the end of the course, guests will end up mastering seven Balinese dishes with ingredients fetched from the local organic farm. A great thing about Pemulan Bali Farm Cooking School is that their classes also cater to strict vegan and vegetarian lifestyles.
Cost: IDR 480,000 (regular/vegetarian morning class)
IDR 450,000 (regular/vegetarian afternoon class)
IDR 700,000 (advanced class)
IDR 650,000 (private regular class)
IDR 650,000 (cook and stay package)
4. Subak Cooking Class
Enjoy the morning local market, cold ginger tea welcome drink, and the Balinese lunch at Subak Cooking Class. The pick-up and drop facility is provided for free within the Ubud area. Learn about traditional Balinese rice cultivation practices, prepare nine types of dishes and get to interact with the local people of Bali during the market and cultivation tour. Regular non-vegetarian and vegetarian courses are offered here at attractive prices.
Cost: IDR 350,000 per person
Timings: 8 AM - 1 PM (morning shift)
2 PM - 6:30 PM (afternoon shift)
5. Periuk Bali Cooking Class
Situated along the river Petanu, Periuk Bali Cooking Class is a school where the lessons are curated with the aim of blending culinary guidance and cultural immersion. Here, guests are taught not just about preparing popular Balinese dishes but also traditional Balinese dishes like the Canang Sari (offering to gods) or the preparation of traditional coconut oil. Guests are made to feel at home with a welcome coffee and sweet rice cakes and then taught about the rice cultivation practices, local food habits, cultural and religious food preparations and also about the workings of the conventional irrigation system of Bali (Subak).
Cost: IDR 350,000 per person
Timings: 7:45 AM - 1 PM (morning session)
2:30 PM - 7 PM (afternoon session)
6. Jeding Bali Cooking Class
Trek to the rice fields in the village of Laplapan, blend in rich spices with the freshest of vegetables and protein choices and create specially made Balinese offerings like the Canang Sari and the Kuwangen. Feel at ease and head to the class with the help of the free shuttle service provided within the Ubud region. This picture-perfect Balinese home houses chefs who intimately guide each participant through the lessons.
Cost: IDR 350,000 per person (minimum 2 people)
Timings: 8:30 AM - 01:30 PM (morning session) | 2:30 PM - 7:30 PM (afternoon session)
7. Tresna Bali Cooking School
Offering a private garden tour to learn and pick the freshest herbs and produce, Tresna Bali Cooking School provides one of the most immersive cooking classes in Bali. This school offers one of the best vegan cooking sessions on the island, and cooking methods are taught both indoors and outdoors. The hosts, Frances and Adi, are known for their warm hospitality and intricate knowledge of Balinese cuisine and traditions.
8. Canting Bali Cooking Class
Located in the Ubud region of Bali, Canting Bali Cooking Class offers classes teaching traditional Balinese vegetarian and non-vegetarian recipes. Along with free shuttle service within Ubud, the sessions also include a local market tour, a paddy field educational hike and a hearty meal at the end of each class. Each session is kept in small groups, and children, too, are welcome.
Cost: IDR 350,000 per person
Timings: 8.30 AM – 1.30 PM (morning session), 3:30 PM – 8.30 PM (afternoon session)
Duration: 5 hours
9. MEXX Cooking School
MEXX Cooking School is one of the few schools in Bali offering cooking classes in a modern kitchen. Equipped with modern-day cooking tools and amenities, this school has a staff comprised of the local homemakers of the nearby villages, who are warm, attentive and friendly. For those short on time, half-day classes are also available. Some of the sessions are also bundled with tours to Tanah Lot temple and include slots for children as well, making them a great family experience.
Programs Available: Morning Class
Half Day Class
Morning Class with Tanah Lot Temple Tour
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly Morning Class
Costs: Prices may vary depending on size of groups. Individual slots are also available.
10. Casa Luna Cooking School
Cost: Starts from IDR 400,000
Duration: 3 to 5 hours (depending on the type of class)
11. Bumbu Bali Restaurant & Cooking School
Set in an upscale restaurant in Bali, Bumbu Bali Restaurant & Cooking School, offers participants a gateway into preparing traditional Balinese dishes in a modern setting. The recipes of Bumbu Bali Restaurant are some of the most popular on the island, and this is reflected in the quality of the ingredients and methods instilled in the students in their classes. Every participant gets a book with detailed recipes for each menu, a certificate after completion of the course, complimentary breakfast or lunch, and mineral water.
Cost: Starts from IDR 10,19,000 or USD 65 (Includes hotel pick up | Does not include market tour)
Starts from IDR 1332600 or USD 85 (includes hotel pick up | Includes market tour)
Prices are exclusive of 10% service charge and government taxes as applicable.
Each class has a maximum of only 8 participants. It is recommended to book slots early.
12. Green Kitchen Cooking Class
Located in the Sidemen village is the open-air kitchen of the Green Kitchen cooking class. The sessions are unique among the cooking classes in Bali due to the strict use of traditional sweetening ingredients and refrainment from using artificial white sugar and other processed ingredients. The freshest organic vegetables are obtained from the Klungkung market. Participants can also enjoy traditional Balinese Coffee, Pupuan pure organic raw and roasted cacao, sold here.
Cost: IDR 380,000 IDR - 650,000 (vegetarian course)
IDR 450,000 - 750,000 (non-vegetarian course)
13. Lobong Bali Cooking Class
Immerse yourself in cookery lessons by the Lobong Culinary Experience Cooking School in a group of two to twelve participants. Enjoy access to unlimited tea and coffee while you are guided by English-speaking professionals to prepare a full-course meal.
14. Umah Padi Bali Cooking Class
Lying amidst rice fields, the Umah Padi cooking class gives its visitors a chance to visit the countryside of Bali. They also learn the traditional irrigation and cultivation techniques that accompany Balinese recipe cooking.
15. Warung Eny Cooking Class
Enjoy not only eating at this local street corner but also learning how to cook traditional Balinese delicacies from Miss Ibu Eny and her husband, Wayan.
These cooking classes in Bali are a great alternative to the partying and beachside extravaganza the island has to offer. When in the mood to let your hair down, do try your hand at one of these classes with friends and family.