Japanese Pickled Foods Cooking Class in Uchiko, Ehime
Prepare a healthy traditional Japanese meal consisting of five dishes, each bringing out the charm of vinegar in different ways, in this unique cooking class in Uchiko, Ehime Prefecture.
Highlights
Learn about the several uses of vinegar in Japanese cuisine from a certified instructor in this unique pickled foods cooking class in the quaint town of Uchiko in the Japanese countryside
Prepare a scrumptious five-dish traditional ichiju sansai meal (with one soup and three vegetable dishes) using vinegar in different ways to enhance flavors
The venue for this experience is conveniently located a short walk from Uchiko Station, and makes a great addition to your Shikoku travel itinerary
10 meals
Experience Details
From sushi’s vinegared rice to the polarizing umeboshi pickled plum, vinegar can be found in most Japanese foods in one way or another. More than a mere condiment, vinegar is a key ingredient in Japanese cuisine, and its properties and fermentation methods are carefully monitored to make the most of its flavor-enhancing effects.
One such vinegar hot spot is Uchiko, a quaint town in Ehime Prefecture. While remaining relatively under the tourist radar, this hidden gem in Shikoku prides itself in its impressive legacy of vinegar production, which travelers can experience and learn from while visiting.
In this unique cooking class with instructors certified by the Japan Washoku Food Life Stylist Association, participants will learn how vinegar is used in Japanese cooking, and prepare a multi-course meal using vinegar in different ways to highlight the flavor of different foods.
Flow of the experience:
- Meet your host at the meeting point (exact address and Google Maps link will be provided upon booking)
- Your host will go over the menu and explain the recipes, drawing from their extensive experience with pickled foods to share insights on fermentation methods and different types of vinegar (approx. 30 min)
- Prepare your four-dish meal (soup and three vegetable dishes). The main dish will be tofu dumplings dressed in black vinegar sauce (approx 60 min)
- Enjoy your homemade meal for lunch while chatting with other participants (about 30 minutes)
To further explore Uchiko’s vinegar legacy, upgrade this experience to include a vinegar tasting and a guided town tour by clicking on the organizer name under the title of this page and looking for “Private Tour & Vinegar Experience in Uchiko, Ehime (Shikoku).”
Inclusions
English-speaking guide
Cooking lesson, all necessary tools, utensils, and ingredients
A pickled meal
Exclusions
Transportation to and from the meeting point
Meeting Point and Meeting Time
Meet your guide directly at the venue, located 35 minutes from Matsuyama Station on the Yosan Line (Limited Express Train), or a 7-minute walk from Uchiko Station. More detailed information and a Google Maps link will be provided upon booking.
Remarks
The host requests that guests specify any dietary restrictions or allergies at least 5 days in advance.
It might not be possible for the host to accommodate more than 3 guests with different dietary restrictions at a time. Please contact the host in advance to confirm availability.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 2 days before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
Experience Location
The closest Japan has to a Mediterranean paradise — Ehime is home to delicious seafood, sun-soaked citrus orchards, and some the oldest and holiest cultural sites in the country.
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10 meals
Spend a day learning about history, tasting vinegar, and preparing regional foods in Uchiko town, Ehime Prefecture. See the town’s historical sights, like the Uchikoza Theater, in this unique tour that mixes history with hands-on workshops.
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