Taste of Japan: Japanese Cooking Classes in Auckland

This is the MUST take class if you don’t know which one to take. Umami is the 5th element to describe taste: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. The closest English translation is “savoury pleasant taste” i.e. sometimes when you taste a dish you just can’t stop eating because it is so delish!

You will be a star among your family and friends once you master our special Teriyaki Chicken recipe. We will also make “Katsu” – deep fried prawns and veges with wasabi mayonnaise and bread crumbs and mouthwatering “goma (sesame seed)” dressing!

• Irresistible Teriyaki Chicken with steamed short-grain rice
• Prawns and vegetable Katsu served with wasabi lime mayonnaise
• Seasonal salad with special “Gomadare (sesame seed)” dressing

“Okonomiyaki” originated in Osaka, but regional variations mean everybody in Japan now enjoys this delicious savoury pancake. It literally means grill or pan fry whatever the ingredients that you like, (kind of pizza in the western world) but we will be teaching an authentic Osaka recipe. We will also make Beef Tataki salad and one of Sachie’s family’s Agedashi Tofu recipes served with dashi broth.

• “Okonomiyaki” Japanese Street Pancake
• Beef Tataki Salad with special “Wafu” dressing
• “Agedashi Tofu” with Dashi broth

Ramen and gyoza are two of Japan’s most beloved comfort foods, enjoyed in bustling ramen shops and family kitchens across the country. In this class, you will learn how to prepare these iconic dishes from scratch while discovering the delicate balance of flavours and techniques that make Japanese cooking so special.

We will guide you through the key elements of building a deeply satisfying ramen and crafting delicious handmade dumplings. You will also learn how to make colourful dumpling pastry using natural ingredients and master the art of folding and pan-frying gyoza to achieve the perfect crispy base and juicy filling.

These dishes are surprisingly simple to recreate at home and perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Menu

-Hot Miso Ramen Noodle Soup
A rich and warming miso broth filled with noodles and layered with deep umami flavour.

-Pan-Fried Pork & Shiitake Mushroom Gyoza
Handmade dumplings wrapped in beautiful beetroot-pink pastry, pan-fried until crispy and served with a spicy soy dipping sauce.

-Green Beans Gomaae
Fresh green beans tossed in a fragrant black sesame dressing for a classic Japanese side dish.

Do you eat sushi every day? Do your kids love eating sushi and you’d love to know how to make it authentically? “Sushi” is possibly the most iconic dish in Japanese cuisine and is enjoyed globally – but many still struggle to make them authentically tasty. There are many kinds of sushi in Japan and this class with teach you four of the most popular styles. By the end of this class, you will be a Sushi Masterchef!

• Temaki Sushi: Corn-Shaped hand roll sushi
• Inari Sushi: Traditional tuffed tofu pockets with sushi ginger rice
• Nigiri Sushi: Sushi prawns “Nigiri (squeezed)” sushi
• Maki Sushi: Big rolling Sushi using Sushi mat
• Tofu and Wakame Miso Soup

“Gyoza dumplings” are one of the most popular dishes in Japan and it is versatile in terms of ingredients and how you cook this. You’ll take home all the tips and tricks to make your life easier. These dumplings are not only delicious but also visually stunning! Using natural ingredients, we teach you how to create vibrant dumpling wrappers in pink, green, yellow, and black.

– Learn how to make Gyoza wrappers and use pre-made dumpling pastry for steaming and poach.
– Make three different fillings: Prawn & Lemongrass, Miso Mushroom & Tofu, and Pork & Garlic Chives.
– Pan Fry, Steam & Poach the dumplings—all served with dipping sauce.

Photo Credit: Manja

Add some Inspiration into the April School Holidays with Our Sushi-Making Adventure!

Elemental Cooking School is excited to offer a fun, hands-on Sushi Class designed especially for kids these April school holidays. Young chefs will learn how to craft delicious sushi rolls, explore fresh ingredients, and build kitchen confidence in a friendly, creative environment. Perfect for curious food lovers and budding cooks alike—this class is all about flavour, skills, and unforgettable holiday fun.
The Class will cover:
– Futo maki (large sushi roll)
– Hoso maki (small sushi roll)
– Accompanied with Miso soup

Price is $149.00 for one adult and one child (6yrs to 13yrs) please contact us direct to book additional children.

Spots are limited, so book early to secure your child’s place!

Wok cooking sits at the heart of many Asian cuisines, celebrated for its high heat, fast cooking techniques and vibrant flavours. In this hands-on class, you will learn how to master the wok and create delicious dishes using fresh ingredients, aromatic sauces and traditional Asian cooking methods.

We will guide you through the essential techniques of wok cooking — from preparing ingredients correctly for stir-frying to controlling heat and balancing flavours. You will discover how to achieve the signature texture, colour and “wok hei” that make wok dishes so irresistible.

The recipes in this class are simple, flavourful and easy to recreate at home, making them perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Menu

Stir-Fried Beef with Seasonal Vegetables
Tender slices of beef quickly tossed in a hot wok with fresh seasonal vegetables in a rich savoury sauce, served with steamed rice.

Smashed Cucumber Salad with Chilli Oil
Crisp cucumbers lightly smashed and tossed with garlic, chilli oil, soy sauce and sesame oil for a refreshing and vibrant side dish.

Crispy Prawn Parcels
Juicy prawns wrapped in delicate strips of spring roll pastry and deep-fried until golden, crunchy and irresistible