Cooking classes in Seoul
A cooking class is one of the best ways to take Seoul home with you. Classes run all year, so the weather matters more for the rest of your day: Seoul is warmest in August at about 86°F (30°C).
Photo: 라성민, CC BY-SA 3.0
Top cooking classes in Seoul
Local Home Korean Cooking Class & Market Adventure in SeoulFrom $105View 
Royal Seoul Cooking Class in a 100-Year-Old HanokFrom $108View 
Korean Home Style Cooking Class in Gangnam SeoulFrom $72View
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What to eat and drink in Seoul
Classes here usually build the menu around local dishes. Ones to look for:
- Bibimbap
- Rice topped with seasoned vegetables, meat, an egg and chilli paste, mixed at the table.
- Bulgogi
- Thin slices of beef marinated in soy, sugar, garlic and sesame, then grilled.
- Kimchi
- Fermented cabbage with chilli and garlic, served with almost every Korean meal.
- Tteokbokki
- Chewy rice cakes in a sweet, spicy red chilli sauce, a street-food favourite.
- Samgyeopsal
- Thick slices of pork belly grilled at your table and wrapped in lettuce.
- Korean barbecue
- Meat grilled at your table and wrapped in lettuce with garlic, sauce and side dishes.
- Naengmyeon
- Thin buckwheat noodles in an icy broth, a summer favourite.
- Makgeolli
- A milky, lightly sparkling Korean rice wine, often drunk with savoury pancakes.
How to pick a good cooking class
- Check whether you cook every dish yourself or watch a demonstration. Hands-on classes usually cap groups at 10 to 12.
- Morning classes often start with a market walk to buy ingredients; afternoon ones go straight to the kitchen.
- Tell the host about allergies or a vegetarian diet when you book, not on the day.
- Look for a class that sends the recipes home with you, so you can cook them again.
Seoul month by month
Averages for Seoul, 1991–2020.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 36 (2) | 41 (5) | 52 (11) | 64 (18) | 74 (24) | 82 (28) | 84 (29) | 86 (30) | 79 (26) | 68 (20) | 53 (12) | 40 (4) |
| Low °F (°C) | 22 (-5) | 26 (-3) | 35 (2) | 46 (8) | 56 (14) | 66 (19) | 72 (22) | 73 (23) | 64 (18) | 51 (11) | 38 (4) | 26 (-3) |
| Rainy days | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Sunset (15th) | 5:37 pm | 6:11 pm | 6:39 pm | 7:07 pm | 7:34 pm | 7:55 pm | 7:53 pm | 7:25 pm | 6:41 pm | 5:56 pm | 5:21 pm | 5:15 pm |
Questions
What food is Seoul known for?
Bibimbap: rice topped with seasoned vegetables, meat, an egg and chilli paste, mixed at the table. Bulgogi: thin slices of beef marinated in soy, sugar, garlic and sesame, then grilled. Kimchi: fermented cabbage with chilli and garlic, served with almost every Korean meal.
How long does a cooking class take?
Most classes run three to four hours including the meal; ones that start with a market visit take closer to five.
Where can I book cooking classes in Seoul?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
