Taipei is a city that invites food lovers to roll up their sleeves and get involved in the kitchen. Unlike most destinations where you simply sample local fare, Taipei’s cooking classes offer a hands-on chance to learn traditional recipes and cooking techniques directly from local instructors. One of our favorites is the Xiao Long Bao, Beef Noodles & Boba Tea Cooking Class in Taipei, which combines three iconic dishes—perfect for those craving authentic Taiwanese flavors.
What makes Taipei a great place for cooking classes is the rich variety of regional dishes and the opportunity to explore local culinary stories. Whether you’re folding delicate soup dumplings or exploring street-food favorites, these experiences go beyond just tasting. For a comprehensive introduction to Taiwanese cuisine in a friendly, small-group setting, we’re excited to highlight some of the best options below.
Quick Overview
Our list covers a range of Taiwanese cooking classes that focus on everything from traditional dishes like Xiao Long Bao and braised beef noodles to street-food staples like Gua Bao and Lu Rou Fan. Some classes include market tours like Market Tour and Taiwanese Cooking Class in Taipei, giving you a taste of local ingredients and culinary culture. Others focus on specific themes like baking Taiwanese pastries or making breakfast favorites. All offer hands-on cooking, local stories, and a chance to enjoy your own creations.
1. Xiao Long Bao, Beef Noodles & Boba Tea Cooking Class in Taipei
This class stands out for its focus on three iconic Taiwanese dishes: Xiao Long Bao, braised beef noodles, and bubble milk tea. It’s a 3-hour experience led by experienced instructors who share stories behind each dish, making it more than just cooking—it’s an immersion in Taiwan’s culinary soul. You’ll learn the craft of folding delicate soup dumplings and simmering rich beef broth, all in a small group for personalized instruction. The class’s top reviews emphasize the friendly guidance (“Diana was helpful despite my lacking skill in folding the bao”) and the delicious results.
This tour is ideal for beginners and seasoned cooks alike, thanks to its approachable format. The recipes come home with you, plus digital photos from the class. For those wanting a well-rounded, engaging experience with authentic food, this class offers excellent value at $85 per person for about 3 hours.
Bottom Line: Perfect for first-timers who want to master Taiwan’s most famous dishes with expert guidance and plenty of fun.
2. Xiao Long Bao, Chicken Vermicelli with Mushroom & Sesame Oil, Tofu Strips Salad, Bubble Milk Tea
This class offers a comprehensive exploration of Taiwanese delicacies in about 3 hours, focusing on healthy and seasonal ingredients. The menu includes Xiao Long Bao, chicken vermicelli, tofu salad, and bubble milk tea. The instructors speak multiple languages, including English, Japanese, and Chinese, making it accessible for international visitors. It’s a good choice for those interested in traditional recipes with a modern twist.
Reviews praise the instructor’s thoroughness and friendliness (“Vivian was very personal and patient”), and many appreciate the in-class photos that help recreate dishes later. With a cost of $77, this class balances a variety of recipes with quality instruction, making it ideal for travelers seeking both culinary skills and cultural insights.
Bottom Line: A well-rounded class that combines health-conscious Taiwanese recipes with great instructors and memorable moments.
3. Historic Taipei Dadaocheng Cooking Class and Market Adventure
More than a cooking class, this experience takes you into the heart of Dadaocheng, one of Taipei’s historic districts. Over 3 hours, you’ll explore local markets on Dihua Street, learn about traditional Taiwanese ingredients, then make dishes from scratch. The class focuses on stories behind Taipei’s culinary history and includes market exploration, which adds depth to your understanding of Taiwanese food culture.
Guests rave about the connection to local people and the rich history (“It’s more than just a cooking class—it’s an immersion into Taipei’s past”). The small-group setting ensures personalized attention, making it ideal for history buffs and food lovers alike.
Bottom Line: Best suited for those who want cultural context along with authentic cooking in a lively historic setting.
4. Xiao Long Bao & Boba Tea Cooking Class in Taipei
Offering a two-hour immersive experience, this class specializes in making juicy Xiao Long Bao from scratch. Paired with bubble milk tea, you’ll learn the secrets behind Taiwan’s most beloved street foods. The class is designed for all skill levels, making it accessible for families, couples, or solo travelers.
Most reviews highlight the friendly teaching style (“The instructor spoke English well, was helpful and professional”) and the fun of creating Gua Bao and boba from scratch. It’s a shorter but highly focused session, perfect for those with limited time but a strong desire to learn and taste.
Bottom Line: Quick, fun, and straightforward—an excellent choice for a hands-on street-food experience.
5. Xiao Long Bao, Pork Thick Soup, Bubble Milk Tea – Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-B
This 2.5-hour class emphasizes light, traditional Taiwanese dishes like pork thick soup and bubble milk tea. The instructors are multilingual, and the focus is on healthy, seasonal ingredients. Reviewers mention the caring and friendly instruction, emphasizing the well-organized experience that results in delicious food (“Enjoyed the food we made”).
Priced at $65, it offers good value for those wanting to focus on delicious, lighter options popular in Taiwan’s daily life. It is especially suitable for families or those with dietary preferences for lighter fare.
Bottom Line: Ideal for travelers who want a shorter, health-conscious Taiwanese cooking experience with friendly teachers.
6. Street Food Cooking Class in Taipei: Gua Bao/Lu Rou Fan/Boba Tea
This class dives into the “xiao chi”—small eats—that define Taipei’s street-food scene. Over about 2 hours, you’ll learn to prepare Gua Bao, Lu Rou Fan, and Bubble Tea. The small group size ensures plenty of hands-on help as you make these iconic dishes.
Guests comment on how much fun it is to learn how street foods are made (“The Gua Bao we made was DELICIOUS”) and love the opportunity to sit down and enjoy their own handiwork at the end. For $75, this class offers a lively, interactive experience that brings street-food culture to life.
Bottom Line: Perfect for those wanting to recreate Taipei’s street eats and enjoy a lively, engaging class.
7. Taiwanese Gourmet Cooking Class in Taipei
This 3-hour class focuses on more complex Taiwanese dishes like 3-cup chicken and Karasumi fried rice. The instructor shares stories behind each dish, enriching the experience. The small-group setting allows for personalized guidance, and you’ll prepare several dishes from start to finish, then enjoy a multi-course feast.
Recent reviews praise the detailed instruction and flavorful results (“The kitchen was clean and spacious, ingredients fresh”). It is suited for those looking to deepen their Taiwanese culinary knowledge and try their hand at more intricate recipes.
Bottom Line: Great for experienced cooks or anyone eager to learn traditional, flavorful Taiwanese dishes.
8. Xiao Long Bao, Pork Thick Soup & Bubble Milk Tea (Taiwan Cooking Class)-B
This class emphasizes the essentials of Taiwanese comfort food in about 2.5 hours. You learn to make Xiao Long Bao, pork thick soup, and bubble milk tea with an experienced chef. The reviews note how helpful and professional the instructors are, with many enjoying the hands-on approach and delicious results.
Costing $65, it’s a good choice for those who want a comprehensive taste of Taiwanese street-food staples in a friendly environment.
Bottom Line: An all-around favorite for simple, authentic Taiwanese dishes in a lively setting.
9. Taiwanese Food Culture and Cooking Class
For 4 hours and 30 minutes, this class offers an in-depth look at Taiwanese food culture, along with hands-on cooking. It accommodates small groups and provides recipes in multiple languages. You’ll make dishes like Gomi Nakamaki, learning common techniques and stories behind each.
Reviewers say it’s outstanding for both techniques and atmosphere (“Very clear instructions, spacious kitchen”). It’s best for those wanting comprehensive culinary and cultural insights.
Bottom Line: Ideal for serious foodies interested in a detailed, cultural experience with good recipes.
10. Turnip Cake, Pork Thick Soup, Tofu Pudding
This quick 2.5-hour class explores light, traditional Taiwanese dishes including turnip cake and tofu pudding. The focus is on simple, flavorful ingredients and authentic techniques. Reviewers mention how well-organized and fun it is, with many enjoying the delicious food they create. It’s priced at $65, making it accessible for those wanting a quick dive into Taiwanese light meals.
Bottom Line: Perfect for travelers seeking authentic, easy-to-make Taiwanese snacks in a short time.
11. Market Tour and Taiwanese Cooking Class in Taipei
This experience combines a market visit to Dongmen Market with a hands-on cooking session lasting about 2.5 hours. You learn to select fresh ingredients, then cook three dishes, practicing traditional methods. It’s limited to small groups, and many reviews highlight how much they learned about local ingredients and culinary techniques (“Learned tips on cooking and recipes to recreate”). It’s ideal for those who want a full cultural and culinary experience.
Bottom Line: Best for travelers who want to combine market exploration with practical cooking skills.
$153.00 per person
12. Taiwanese Baking Class with Oolong Tea Tasting in Taipei
This 2.5-hour baking class focuses on Taiwanese pastries like pineapple cakes and mung bean cakes. After baking, you enjoy a traditional oolong tea service. Reviewers love the clear instructions and beautiful packaging for take-home treats (“The instructor was patient and gave clear instructions”). It’s perfect for bakers looking to explore Taiwanese sweets.
Bottom Line: Enjoy a sweet, relaxing session that ends with delicious pastries and tea.
13. Taiwanese Breakfast Cooking Class in Taipei
This class specializes in Taiwanese breakfast staples such as scallion pancakes, egg crepes, and fresh soy milk. Lasting about 2 hours, it’s perfect for those wanting to start their day with authentic morning dishes. Reviews mention the delicious results and fun atmosphere (“Worth getting out of bed for”). It’s priced at $80, ideal for breakfast lovers.
Bottom Line: Great for early risers eager to learn Taiwan’s breakfast favorites.
14. Pineapple Pastry with Egg Yolk & Longan Cake
This 2.5-hour class dives into Taiwanese traditional desserts, including pineapple pastry with salted egg yolk and Longan Cake, paired with High Mountain Oolong Tea. Many reviewers praise the detailed instruction and friendly environment (“Instructor was kind and helpful”). It’s perfect for those interested in baking and sweets.
Bottom Line: A sweet, detailed experience ideal for dessert lovers wanting to bring home authentic Taiwanese pastries.
15. Market Tour and Taiwanese Cooking Class in Taipei
This half-day market and cooking tour combines exploring Dongmen Market with hands-on cooking of three dishes, followed by lunch. It’s limited to small groups and emphasizes fresh ingredient selection and traditional cooking techniques (“Learned tips on how to select ingredients”). It’s especially useful for travelers who want local flavor and practical skills in one outing.
Bottom Line: Best for culinary explorers wanting a comprehensive market and cooking experience with a relaxed pace.
$153.00 per person
How to Choose the Best Cooking Class in Taipei
When deciding which class to book, consider your budget, time available, and interest level. For example, if you want a quick, fun street-food immersion, the Xiao Long Bao & Boba Tea class offers great value at just 2 hours. But if you’re eager to learn the stories behind Taiwanese dishes, the Taiwanese Food Culture and Cooking Class provides a more in-depth experience over nearly five hours.
Also, consider whether you want to visit a market (like the Market Tour and Taiwanese Cooking Class) or focus solely on cooking. Classes that include market visits often provide deeper insight into ingredients and local life, ideal for foodies who want context.
Most classes are suitable for all skill levels, but check if they mention specific experience requirements. Booking early is advised, especially during peak tourist seasons or holidays, to secure your spot.
In summary, Taipei offers a variety of cooking classes tailored to different interests and schedules. If you want a culinary crash course in making Xiao Long Bao or street-food favorites, options like #1 and #6 are excellent. For those interested in deep cultural insights and market visits, #3 and #11 stand out. For a more dessert-oriented experience, classes #12 and #14 are perfect.
Ultimately, whether you’re a culinary novice or a kitchen pro, Taipei’s cooking classes promise memorable experiences and delicious results. Be sure to book early to secure your spot—these popular classes fill up fast!