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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Yoko

Osaka, Japan

USD
$130-$216 per person

Japanese home cooking with a culinary expert

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

Meet Yoko

Yoko learned to cook from her mother when she was young and later joined a culinary institute in Osaka. She loves everything to do with food and a few years ago decided to follow her passion and teach Japanese cooking from her home. During the pandemic, Yoko had the chance to publish a cookbook in Dutch named "YOKO". It includes more than 50 Japanese home cooking recipes and a list of innovate food experiences in Japan, such as soy sauce brewery, miso brewery, knife shop and tea fields.

Yoko also helps her friend at his Kaiseki restaurant - she says it helps her stay up to date with the food industry in Japan, as well as learn new techniques. Yoko perfectly describes herself as a food loving, travel loving, people loving Osakan, who is passionate not only about Japanese food but also its rich history and culture.

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.

In-home meal: (1-6 guests) After you meet Yoko at the subway station, she will walk you to her apartment through some of the local shopping streets, giving you a small tour of her neighborhood. Yoko lives in a simple, clean apartment complex in the city near the Osaka Castle (a big tourist spot). As soon as you enter, Yoko will have slippers ready for you to wear (it is part of Japanese culture to remove your footwear before entering the house).

After you learn more about the local Japanese way of life, the food and culture, join Yoko for a meal that may include dishes such as rolled sushi or okonomiyaki (savory pancake) or Gyoza as a main course and a few of her signature side dishes such as miso soup, pickled seaweed and cucumber, and veggies with tofu and sesame dressing. You will end your meal with a refreshing ice cream.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Before you get started with the cooking class, Yoko will introduce you to Japanese cooking techniques and the five different tastes. She will also show you key ingredients you will use throughout the cooking process like seaweed, dried fish, etc. You will then get to put on your aprons and roll up your sleeves to cook with Yoko!

The class will be both a cooking demonstration and a hands-on class, where Yoko will prep a few things before you get to participate in the cutting and cooking process. You will make 4 different dishes from scratch during your 1.5 hours cooking class.

Yoko is a great teacher and will explain everything thoroughly throughout the entire process. Feel free to ask her more about Japanese cooking styles and don't leave without learning about her secret cooking tips!

Notes: Tea or water is already included in the menu. You can also choose a sake tasting set at an additional cost - please choose the alcohol add-on when creating your booking to opt for the sake tasting set (two kinds of sake in a small screw cap bottle). The menu can be customized as per your request, so don't forget to let Yoko know your preference while booking the experience. Yoko can also do a vegetarian, vegan or gluten free meal, on request.

Languages spoken: English, Chinese, Japanese

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.
  • Rolled sushi. okonomiyaki or gyoza
  • Shira ae (tofu based vegetable salad)
  • Sunomono (pickled cucumber and seaweed)
  • Miso soup
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Cooking with Yoko was an amazing experience! She met us right at the Minami-Morimachi station and wore a Japanese kimono as this is what traditional Japanese wear for teaching classes and tea ceremonies. Yoko walked us to her apartment through some of the local shopping streets and gave us a small tour of her area. She was very welcoming and was a great tour guide explaining everything we saw and telling us stories. Yoko is well known in her area as many people greeted her as we walked by on the way to her apartment. She made us feel right at home and greeted us with a cute welcome sign on her door. She had hangers out for us for our jackets and charming aprons to wear. The cooking portion of the experience was very hands on and extremely informational. She taught us so much about traditional Japanese cooking techniques such as how to cut cucumbers into a snake (accordion) design, which looked way better than just a cut up cucumber. She also gave us lots of cooking tips as well including to always mix the miso into a small portion of broth before adding into the soup as it would lose all its flavor, it is easier to cut tofu in your hand (very carefully) since it is so soft, always crack an egg on a flat surface and so much more. One of the highlights of the cooking portion was making the Japanese omelet - one of the best omelets we have ever had! She was so accommodating and even purchased and used gluten free soy sauce as I had an allergy. We had such great conversations over our meal with her about Japan and life that we felt like we were just having a meal with an old friend. At the end of the experience she even walked us about 10 minutes to a local park and pointed us in the direction of the Osaka Castle which is where we were headed to after. She even gave us lots of tips on other places in Japan we would enjoy and wrote them all down for us. We left the entire experience with our bellies full, lots of new Japanese cooking techniques and feeling like we made a new friend. It was an amazing experience altogether!

Summer and Kaylis, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

4.86 (7)
Thankyou Yoko! We loved cooking with you in your home. We felt very welcome and the food was delicious. Some great tips we'll take back with us to Aus 🇦🇺🦘 Dōmo arigatōgozaimasu
- Sam H April 08, 2023
Our cooking class with Yoko was fantastic- one of the highlights of our entire trip to Japan. She showed us the local shrine on the walk to our house and was generous and informative with her comprehensive knowledge of Japanese food and culinary traditions. The four of us (parents plus two teenagers) loved the class and then eating the results (goyza and okononmiaki) in her home. Highly recommended.
- F5688H January 28, 2023
Yoko is awesome! My husband and I booked this for Christmas evening. Yoko shopped with us and was very patient with us as we (husband and I) squabbled in the supermarket about our differing food preferences. The evening was filled with preparing gyoza, okinamiyaki, and sukiyaki. Yoko taught us how to prepare each dish and we learned great techniques. Yoko is very knowledgeable and a true foodie! A must in this food haven!
- Marla January 01, 2022
A visit with Yoko will leave will a wonderful sense of Japanese culture and cuisine, all the whys and wherefores answered. Yoko shared all her cooking secrets , and her love of food and culture, gave us a wonderful insight into living in Kyoto. We walked her Neighborhood, learnt the delicate art of egg roll, the delicious details of a truly memorable okonomyaki that I’ll definitely be making at home! It was my friends first traveling Spoon and I’m sure it won’t be her last!
- H976VOkarenh October 03, 2019
My friends and I arranged a class with Yoko during our recent visit to Osaka. We asked to learn the seasonal dishes - and being winter - seafood was in abundance. Yoko started the class by explaining what the 5 different tastes of food are - sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. Japanese food concentrates a lot on umami. We learnt the basics of making miso stock with konbu and dashi. The best konbu comes from the seas off Hokkaido - cold waters. We also learnt how to cut vegetables for the pickle as well as make a simple tofu salad with sesame dressing. The main dish is an Osaka speciality - seafood okomomiyaki. Skill is needed to flip this omelette! We also tried our hand at making tamago - Japanese omelette. After the food preparation - it was then time to eat. Simple yet delicious food. Yoko answered our many questions on food prep and techniques, as well as advised us where to buy ingredients and places to eat in Osaka, as well as Kyoto - which we visited the next day. Yoko was very friendly and willing to share her passion for the food of Osaka with us. It was an enjoyable morning and we will definitely be trying out what we learnt when we get home.
- Belinda K February 06, 2019
Yoko prepared well and we had a good email discussion prior on what to cook. During the day, she showed interesting techniques as well as telling about the theory, history and culture associated with the cooking. All in all a great experience!
- Robert R August 01, 2018
We had such a wonderful experience with Yoko. We learned so many new skills and gained knowledge about Japanese cooking. The food was absolutely delicious and we had great fun eating with Yoko. She is so friendly and welcoming - an excellent (eggcellent) teacher. Would highly recommend doing this class while in Osaka.
- Annajk K July 02, 2018
Read More
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Yoko

$130-$216 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+ ppl
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $216 $172 $130
Alcohol
 $10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $216 $172 $130
Alcohol
 $10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 6:00pm-9:00pm

Meet Yoko

Yoko learned to cook from her mother when she was young and later joined a culinary institute in Osaka. She loves everything to do with food and a few years ago decided to follow her passion and teach Japanese cooking from her home. During the pandemic, Yoko had the chance to publish a cookbook in Dutch named "YOKO". It includes more than 50 Japanese home cooking recipes and a list of innovate food experiences in Japan, such as soy sauce brewery, miso brewery, knife shop and tea fields.

Yoko also helps her friend at his Kaiseki restaurant - she says it helps her stay up to date with the food industry in Japan, as well as learn new techniques. Yoko perfectly describes herself as a food loving, travel loving, people loving Osakan, who is passionate not only about Japanese food but also its rich history and culture.

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.

In-home meal: (1-6 guests) After you meet Yoko at the subway station, she will walk you to her apartment through some of the local shopping streets, giving you a small tour of her neighborhood. Yoko lives in a simple, clean apartment complex in the city near the Osaka Castle (a big tourist spot). As soon as you enter, Yoko will have slippers ready for you to wear (it is part of Japanese culture to remove your footwear before entering the house).

After you learn more about the local Japanese way of life, the food and culture, join Yoko for a meal that may include dishes such as rolled sushi or okonomiyaki (savory pancake) or Gyoza as a main course and a few of her signature side dishes such as miso soup, pickled seaweed and cucumber, and veggies with tofu and sesame dressing. You will end your meal with a refreshing ice cream.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Before you get started with the cooking class, Yoko will introduce you to Japanese cooking techniques and the five different tastes. She will also show you key ingredients you will use throughout the cooking process like seaweed, dried fish, etc. You will then get to put on your aprons and roll up your sleeves to cook with Yoko!

The class will be both a cooking demonstration and a hands-on class, where Yoko will prep a few things before you get to participate in the cutting and cooking process. You will make 4 different dishes from scratch during your 1.5 hours cooking class.

Yoko is a great teacher and will explain everything thoroughly throughout the entire process. Feel free to ask her more about Japanese cooking styles and don't leave without learning about her secret cooking tips!

Notes: Tea or water is already included in the menu. You can also choose a sake tasting set at an additional cost - please choose the alcohol add-on when creating your booking to opt for the sake tasting set (two kinds of sake in a small screw cap bottle). The menu can be customized as per your request, so don't forget to let Yoko know your preference while booking the experience. Yoko can also do a vegetarian, vegan or gluten free meal, on request.

Languages spoken: English, Chinese, Japanese

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.
  • Rolled sushi. okonomiyaki or gyoza
  • Shira ae (tofu based vegetable salad)
  • Sunomono (pickled cucumber and seaweed)
  • Miso soup
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Cooking with Yoko was an amazing experience! She met us right at the Minami-Morimachi station and wore a Japanese kimono as this is what traditional Japanese wear for teaching classes and tea ceremonies. Yoko walked us to her apartment through some of the local shopping streets and gave us a small tour of her area. She was very welcoming and was a great tour guide explaining everything we saw and telling us stories. Yoko is well known in her area as many people greeted her as we walked by on the way to her apartment. She made us feel right at home and greeted us with a cute welcome sign on her door. She had hangers out for us for our jackets and charming aprons to wear. The cooking portion of the experience was very hands on and extremely informational. She taught us so much about traditional Japanese cooking techniques such as how to cut cucumbers into a snake (accordion) design, which looked way better than just a cut up cucumber. She also gave us lots of cooking tips as well including to always mix the miso into a small portion of broth before adding into the soup as it would lose all its flavor, it is easier to cut tofu in your hand (very carefully) since it is so soft, always crack an egg on a flat surface and so much more. One of the highlights of the cooking portion was making the Japanese omelet - one of the best omelets we have ever had! She was so accommodating and even purchased and used gluten free soy sauce as I had an allergy. We had such great conversations over our meal with her about Japan and life that we felt like we were just having a meal with an old friend. At the end of the experience she even walked us about 10 minutes to a local park and pointed us in the direction of the Osaka Castle which is where we were headed to after. She even gave us lots of tips on other places in Japan we would enjoy and wrote them all down for us. We left the entire experience with our bellies full, lots of new Japanese cooking techniques and feeling like we made a new friend. It was an amazing experience altogether!

Summer and Kaylis, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

4.86 (7)
Thankyou Yoko! We loved cooking with you in your home. We felt very welcome and the food was delicious. Some great tips we'll take back with us to Aus 🇦🇺🦘 Dōmo arigatōgozaimasu
- Sam H April 08, 2023
Our cooking class with Yoko was fantastic- one of the highlights of our entire trip to Japan. She showed us the local shrine on the walk to our house and was generous and informative with her comprehensive knowledge of Japanese food and culinary traditions. The four of us (parents plus two teenagers) loved the class and then eating the results (goyza and okononmiaki) in her home. Highly recommended.
- F5688H January 28, 2023
Yoko is awesome! My husband and I booked this for Christmas evening. Yoko shopped with us and was very patient with us as we (husband and I) squabbled in the supermarket about our differing food preferences. The evening was filled with preparing gyoza, okinamiyaki, and sukiyaki. Yoko taught us how to prepare each dish and we learned great techniques. Yoko is very knowledgeable and a true foodie! A must in this food haven!
- Marla January 01, 2022
A visit with Yoko will leave will a wonderful sense of Japanese culture and cuisine, all the whys and wherefores answered. Yoko shared all her cooking secrets , and her love of food and culture, gave us a wonderful insight into living in Kyoto. We walked her Neighborhood, learnt the delicate art of egg roll, the delicious details of a truly memorable okonomyaki that I’ll definitely be making at home! It was my friends first traveling Spoon and I’m sure it won’t be her last!
- H976VOkarenh October 03, 2019
My friends and I arranged a class with Yoko during our recent visit to Osaka. We asked to learn the seasonal dishes - and being winter - seafood was in abundance. Yoko started the class by explaining what the 5 different tastes of food are - sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. Japanese food concentrates a lot on umami. We learnt the basics of making miso stock with konbu and dashi. The best konbu comes from the seas off Hokkaido - cold waters. We also learnt how to cut vegetables for the pickle as well as make a simple tofu salad with sesame dressing. The main dish is an Osaka speciality - seafood okomomiyaki. Skill is needed to flip this omelette! We also tried our hand at making tamago - Japanese omelette. After the food preparation - it was then time to eat. Simple yet delicious food. Yoko answered our many questions on food prep and techniques, as well as advised us where to buy ingredients and places to eat in Osaka, as well as Kyoto - which we visited the next day. Yoko was very friendly and willing to share her passion for the food of Osaka with us. It was an enjoyable morning and we will definitely be trying out what we learnt when we get home.
- Belinda K February 06, 2019
Yoko prepared well and we had a good email discussion prior on what to cook. During the day, she showed interesting techniques as well as telling about the theory, history and culture associated with the cooking. All in all a great experience!
- Robert R August 01, 2018
We had such a wonderful experience with Yoko. We learned so many new skills and gained knowledge about Japanese cooking. The food was absolutely delicious and we had great fun eating with Yoko. She is so friendly and welcoming - an excellent (eggcellent) teacher. Would highly recommend doing this class while in Osaka.
- Annajk K July 02, 2018
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $216 $172 $130
Alcohol
 $10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $216 $172 $130
Alcohol
 $10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 6:00pm-9:00pm
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.

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    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.

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    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").

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