When I was in Hoi An, Vietnam, I took a cooking class at Red Bridge. I really love taking cooking classes and learning something from the local cuisine. Then at home I can get some feeling back in the kitchen from my trip! Experiencing a bit of taste and smell from your trip at home sometimes brings you right back – so wonderful!
When I was in Hoi An, I read about the cooking class at Red Bridge and decided to book it.
Cooking class at Red Bridge in Hoi An, Vietnam
Cooking School in Hoi An
There are various cooking schools to be found in Hoi An. I chose Red Bridge because I also loved the location. A bit out of the center and therefore in a lovely green outdoor garden. To get there, they took me by boat to their cooking school Red Bridge.
The Town of Hoi An
Hoi An is a super nice town in Vietnam located on the coast. They have maintained the old center really well here and it’s definitely a must to visit. There are quite a few buildings you can go inside to see how people lived. The town is, partly because of the canals running through it, wonderfully fun to visit during the day but also certainly in the evening.
The Red Bridge cooking school in Hoi An was a very beautiful one! They have a restaurant in the center of Hoi An and before the class started I got something to drink and the class slowly filled with participants.
Off to the Market in Hoi An
The cooking class started there and we walked into the center to the local market. The chef and teacher showed us quite a number of products and also bought quite a few for the class. We got explanations about herbs and vegetables – I saw quite a few that I didn’t know yet 🙂 We also walked past the fish market and the meat market. I thought it was great to walk around there, to be amazed at how things go and how the products are offered.
The woman who offered this found it a bit less pleasant that I took this photo…
I can imagine that…
She explained to us that if we wanted to buy something, we’d better do it now while she was with us. Then we would get the Vietnamese price and not the tourist price!
By Boat to Red Bridge
After this visit to the market, we got into a boat and went down the river to the kitchen. This alone was a wonderful journey! Half an hour of relaxing and looking at everything you pass by!
The school is located between Hoi An and the beach where I stayed with my hotel. It’s called Red Bridge and as you can see in the photo above, you now understand where this name comes from! They have a beautiful spot along the river and have a beautiful herb garden there – we walked through it and were given explanations about the different herbs they used in Asian cuisine.
There are quite a few herbs that unfortunately we can’t buy fresh in the Netherlands. That’s also the reason I can never replicate the food so perfectly at home…
Time to Cook at the Red Brigde
Then we finally started cooking. The chef began to give us explanations. It looked so super easy the way she did it. And then it was our turn… Quite difficult to do exactly what she did. Everything was perfectly prepared and I got off to a great start.
Doesn’t that look good right away?
We made fresh spring rolls and Hoi An pancakes. I really like those pancakes – I make them regularly at home too! They’re called bánh xèo. With a bit of spicy peanut sauce, it’s really super!
Making Fresh Paper for the Spring Roll
They were delicious!
The Hoi An Pancakes!
I really think these are super! I’ve made them often at home.
After this it was time to make Vietnamese eggplant in a clay pot. That was actually quite simple and easy to make. Additionally, we made a sweet dish that was served in a pineapple. Isn’t that wonderful? I also always find the fresh fruit here so super, not to compare with the flavors we know from home.
Enjoying Our Creations
After cooking, we ate everything together. We sat in the garden enjoying all the deliciousness and the surroundings. After cooking, we ate everything together. We sat in the garden enjoying all the deliciousness and the surroundings.
I learned quite a lot in one morning, the herbs and vegetables I had never worked with before. And how to make fresh paper?!? Don’t think I’ll ever manage that at home 🙂
I love such classes and I try to do this in every country!
How about you?
Would you like to do the cooking class too? Check here. The class costs $35 (2025)
Staying in Hoi An
There are many great places in Hoi An to stay. You can look for a place in the old center or go towards the coast. I chose to stay close to the beach during my visit. That way I could relax on the beach in the morning and later cycled to Old Town Hoi An and enjoyed the bustle of the town and the beautiful architecture.
Take a look at this lovely spot Hoi An Golden Bamboo on the coast near Hoi An. With a beautiful terrace and outdoor garden, you can sit outside for breakfast here, then head to the beach before exploring the town.
Would you rather be in the bustling center of Old Town Hoi An? Check out this beautiful homestay Nha Lan. The historic center is only 5 minutes away from this beautiful spot. A perfect place for your visit to explore Hoi An.
Also read
- How about Canyoning in Dalat?
- Or Walking the Fairy Stream and the Sand Dunes?
- Visit also the Famous Cu Chi Tunnels
- 3 day Halong Bay