Japanese Food Tour & Cooking Class in Los Angeles
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4 hours
Fitness Level
No special fitness required; suitable for all levels
Overview
Experience authentic Japanese flavors in LA’s Little Tokyo with a unique cooking and tasting tour. Learn to make Okonomiyaki and Gyoza while discovering market treasures.
Cooking & Tasting Tour at Japanese Markets
4 Hours • Gain insight into Japanese ingredients and seasonings!
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Adventure Photos
About This Adventure
Embark on a culinary adventure in Little Tokyo with a unique 4-hour experience that begins at Marukai Market, where you'll discover over 100 Japanese food products. After a guided tour, head to the kitchen to create delicious dishes like Okonomiyaki and Gyoza, all while exploring authentic flavors and techniques.
Duration
4 Hours
The tour group will meet at 9 AM on Sunday (or occasionally Saturday) when the market is quieter. The experience begins with a 30-minute guided tour of Marukai Market, followed by a visit to the Foodstory kitchen to continue the class. The cooking portion will start at 10 am. The meeting location in Little Tokyo, as well as our kitchen address, will be provided in your booking confirmation email.
About
Meet us in Little Tokyo where we’ll introduce you to over 100 Japanese food products at one prominent Japanese markets: Marukai/Tokyo Central. We will be thrilled to share our favorite seasonings, dried foods, frozen foods and fresh produce. You may never know what you’re missing until you try tasting some of these unique products. We will also point out cookware that’s useful for making Japanese cuisine.
Afterwards, we’ll head to our downtown kitchen where we’ll be preparing a number of simple dishes that require only 5 to 20 minutes of cooking. Our goal is to introduce a variety of flavors and textures in Japanese cooking in the simplest simple way. Due to our ambitious and varied menu, we may use pre-cut vegetables as well as pre-made sauces and packaged foods which we don't normally use at our regular cooking class. If you are looking to cook more often, our recipes will surely delight you.
Menu:
Main Dishes
- Okonomiyaki (savory vegetable filled pancake using “Otafuku” sauce and flour)
- Sukiyaki beef (konnyaku noodle, sukiyaki sauce, enoki mushroom)
- Oyako-don (using tsuyu sauce)
- Grilled Chicken with citrus pepper (Yuzu Kosho)
- Gyoza (Pot sticker)
Salads, Sides and Appetizers 6. Soba Salad (using “Tsuyu” noodle dipping sauce) 7. Tofu Salad with Ume sauce (versatile pickled sour plum dressing) 8. Blanched vegetables with ponzu & mayonnaise sauce 9. Salt & Pepper mountain potato or Lotus roots 10.Dried daikon radish salad with Pietro dressing (kiriboshi daikon & pietro dressing)
Dessert 11.Dessert: Shiratama mochi with dark chocolate (Shiratama flour)
Adventure Tips
Arrive Hungry
Come with an empty stomach to fully enjoy the diverse food tastings and homemade dishes.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You’ll be standing and walking through markets and kitchen spaces, so dress comfortably.
Ask Questions
Engage with guides and chefs to deepen your understanding of Japanese ingredients and techniques.
Inform About Allergies
Notify the operator in advance if you have food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Urban pigeons
- Local park squirrels
History
Little Tokyo is one of the three surviving Japantowns in the U.S., dating back to the early 20th century as a cultural refuge for Japanese immigrants.
Conservation
Many local vendors promote sustainable and organic produce, supporting eco-friendly practices within Little Tokyo's food scene.
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Adventure Hotspots in Los Angeles
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable Shoes
You'll be walking and standing through markets and the kitchen.
Notebook and Pen
For jotting down recipes and tasting notes.
Camera or Smartphone
Capture market scenes and final dishes.
Reusable Water Bottle
Stay hydrated during the tour's active segments.