Vegan Shojin Ryori Buddhist Meal Cooking Class in Shizuoka
Discover the traditional flavors of Buddhist vegan cuisine by making classic shojin ryori dishes with local produce picked fresh from the garden at a private home in Shizuoka.
Highlights
Cook a variety of traditional shojin ryori dishes including vegetable tempura, goma tofu, boiled vegetables and miso soup
Soak in the atmosphere of a countryside Japanese home and garden with views of Mt. Fuji
Learn from a host who previously worked as an assistant chef at a hot spring hotel in Japan
Receive English recipes to take home
10 meals
Experience Details
Shojin ryori (traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) has a history in Japan dating back over 800 years. Following ancient Buddhist traditions, meat and fish are not used. Instead, the focus is on fresh, local produce, allowing the dishes to change with the seasons. In this Shizuoka cooking class, you’ll get to make a shojin ryori meal that’s not only vegetarian but also vegan.
You’ll begin with a drink from your host, Yoko, as she welcomes you into her home. Then, head to her garden to pick a vibrant assortment of fresh vegetables to use in your shojin ryori, from where you may even catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji on a clear day! If you participate outside of harvesting season, Yoko will provide fresh, local vegetables instead.
With the ingredients ready, it’ll be time to cook! Start by making a boiled vegetable salad with sesame dressing. Next is goma dofu (sesame tofu), one of the most traditional shojin ryori dishes. Despite its name, this tofu lookalike is actually made from sesame paste rather than soybeans. Yoko learned the recipe directly from a Buddhist monk and will pass that same recipe down to you. Then, make a plant-based dashi broth for comforting miso soup. You’ll also use this dashi broth to make a dipping sauce for tempura. Utilize the bounty of fresh produce to make vegetable tempura, a classic shojin ryori dish. Batter the vegetables to be fried for the perfect crunch. Finally, prepare a bowl of rice to complete your meal.
Now it’ll be time to enjoy the seasonal Shizuoka flavors of your shojin ryori meal. Chat with Yoko as you feast on your homemade dishes — learn about her time working at a hot spring hotel and about her travels to countless countries around the world. You’ll also leave with English versions of the recipes in hand, ensuring that you can make these delicious dishes again at home anytime you want.
Inclusions
All ingredients and utensils
Private cooking class
English-speaking host
English recipes to take home
Exclusions
Transportation to and from the venue
Meeting Point and Meeting Time
Meet your host at Takyo Station, a 30-minute train ride from Mishima Station or a 10-minute ride from Shuzenji Station. More information and a Google Maps link will be provided upon booking.
Remarks
Please let your host know if you have dietary restrictions.
Toddlers and infants are welcome. Please note that accompanying adults will be responsible for their care and supervision.
If you need to adjust the start time, please inquire with the host.
Please inform your host upon booking if you plan to come by taxi or car.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 1 week before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
Experience Location
A coastal prefecture located in central Japan between Tokyo and Osaka, Shizuoka is home to Mount Fuji (the highest mountain in Japan), beaches and hot spring resort towns, and a thriving agriculture industry producing some of the most delicious and highly coveted produce in Japan.
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10 meals
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