Need to beef up your culinary skills, or inspired by all that Master Chef action on TV? Get off the couch now, ’cause we’ve rounded up some of the best cooking classes Hong Kong has to offer. In a city as food-obsessed as ours, you can now master anything from making the best pies to the most classic Cantonese dishes.
The Mixing Bowl
Based in Sheung Wan, the Mixing Bowl is Hong Kong’s best place to learn how to knead, roll and bake. Founded by two passionate home bakers, the Mixing Bowl is a purpose-built venue fully equipped with high-quality appliances spread over more than 2,000 square feet. Ranging from $550 to $850 per class, each class is 2.5 to 3 hours long, allowing for bakers to learn to make on average two items per class. Bakers can choose to learn how to make anything and everything, including traditional Hong Kong snacks, scones, cakes, bagels, pizza, chocolate, macarons and traditional loaves of bread. Be sure to try the scones with clotted cream at the Mixing Bowl cafe below!
5 Shin Hing Street, Sheung Wan, 2524-0001, www.themixingbowlhk.com.
ABC Cooking Studio
Originally from Japan, ABC Cooking Studio has three branches in Hong Kong that offer classes for savory dishes like tempura and bento boxes as well as Japanese desserts and pastries. The spacious-yet-minimalist spaces at the PMQ, CityPlaza as well as K11 have dozens of working tables to accommodate large-scale classes.
Shop 108-109, 1/F, K11 Art Mall, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui |H110-112, 1/F, Block B, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central | Shop 148, Cityplaza, 18 Taikoo Shing Road, Taikoo Shing.
Yum Cha
Yum Cha offers insider access to making Cantonese dim sum, using fresh ingredients and no additives, in both Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. Taking place daily from 3:30 pm to 5:45 pm, the private dim sum workshop is ofered in Cantonese, with English translation available. Guests learn to make traditional hot custard buns and pork and shrimp siu mai, then get to sample an array of afternoon dim sum dishes made by the restaurant. Groups can opt to take part in the private dim sum workshop and afternoon dim sum tea set for a minimum of 8 people and a maximum of 20 people for $550 per person, which includes seven dim sum dishes to try.
Yum Cha Central , 2/F, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, 3708-8081 | Yum Cha Tsim Sha Tsui, 3/F, 20-22 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, www.yumchahk.com.
Martha Sherpa’s Cooking School
Owner and experienced cooking instructor Martha Sherpa whips students into shape when it comes to less experienced cooks. Based in North Point, Martha’s school is intensive and focuses on transforming each guest into hands-on cooks. Available classes include Chinese wok cookery courses, Chinese barbecue classes, dim sum courses and Thai cookery courses. Classes can vary from a few hours to full-day, with private cooking classes available in English, Cantonese, or Mandarin upon request. Prices vary from $1,680 for an afternoon dim sum class to $6,720 for a private 3-hour vegetarian Chinese cooking class – the more intricate the class, the more you pay. Martha does not accept walk-ins, so be sure to email and plan ahead!
Flat F, 14/F, Wah Lai Mansion, 62-76 Marble Road, North Point, 2381-0132, www.cookery.com.hk.
Home’s Cooking School and Wet Market Tour
If you’re looking for a market-to-table experience, look no further than Home’s Cooking School and Wet Market Tour, a huge hit with Hong Kong tourists. With a morning and afternoon cooking class available on weekdays from 9 am to 2 pm, your session will start with a visit to Kam Wa Street wet market in Shau Kei Wan, where you will gather all of the ingredients you need to make a traditional Cantonese three-course feast. With knowledgeable and bubbly hosts, guests will learn to make Chinese dishes including golden shrimp, spring rolls, traditional egg tarts and ginger milk pudding, among others. Classes cost $600 and include three dishes, course materials, recipes and a full market tour.
Meet at Kam Wa Street Wet Market, Shau Kei Wan, www.homescookingstudio.com.
Travelicious Market & Cooking
Fancy sightseeing and learning how to cook in one go? Travelicious invites keen chefs to embark on a culinary adventure to discover the secrets of authentic Cantonese cooking, using only traditional ingredients and preparation methods. Kicking off with a look around Kwun Tong Market, guests can choose their own fresh herbs, veggies, and cuts of meat to take back to the former-factory-turned-studio in Kwun Tong. Classes are approximately three hours long, taking place from Monday to Sunday starting at 9 am. Classes start at $620 per person, with a 15% discount for groups of four or more people. Be the first to sign up for a class and have an active part in deciding what’s on the menu!
Contact for address details, www.hongkongtravelicious.com.
BiteUnite
One thing that Hongkongers miss out on the most is a good, hearty, home-cooked meal. BiteUnite, based in Wanchai, is a cook and share community with special cooking classes hosted by chef Anita. Each class runs for up to 4 hours, with a choice to make macarons, a mini macaron tower and almond chocolate round cakes with macarons. The menu can be customized based on allergies or specific requirements as well. Classes can fit anywhere from a minimum of 8 guests to a maximum of 14 and go for $550 per person. BiteUnite also offers freshly cooked meals for delivery made by a community of passionate chefs.
G/F, 15 Lung On Street, Wan Chai, 2366-3231, www.biteunite.com.