Cooking Classes Across India: Learn Regional Recipes

Discover India’s culinary diversity through immersive cooking classes. From street snacks to heirloom recipes, learn regional dishes from expert home cooks, chefs, and culinary storytellers.

3 min

India is not just a country you travel to—it's a land you taste. The best way to take a piece of it home? Join a cooking class. Whether you’re in the spice-scented streets of Kochi or the palace city of Udaipur, there’s a regional recipe and a local kitchen waiting to welcome you. Cooking classes in India are more than just culinary lessons—they’re deep dives into culture, history, and hospitality.

North India: From Butter Chicken to Chole Bhature

Delhi – Punjabi Soul Food & Street Eats

Highlights: Learn to make butter chicken, paneer tikka, samosas, and roti on a tandoor.
Where: Hands-on classes with local families in Old Delhi or food studios in South Delhi.
Cost: $20–$60 per person
Bonus: Add a spice market tour at Khari Baoli.

Amritsar – The Flavors of Punjab

Highlights: Sarson da saag, makki di roti, ghee-rich dals, lassi
Where: Village-based classes and dhaba-style kitchens
Cost: $15–$40
Experience Tip: Attend a cooking class followed by langar service at the Golden Temple.

West India: Royal Kitchens and Street Flavor

Jaipur – Rajasthani Thali & Royal Recipes

Highlights: Laal maas, gatte ki sabzi, bajra roti, churma
Where: Cooking with a Rajput family or heritage home kitchen
Cost: $25–$50
Tip: Look for add-ons like turban tying or spice-blending workshops.

Mumbai – Street Snacks & Parsi Cuisine

Highlights: Vada pav, bhel puri, dhansak, akuri on toast
Where: Cooking studios or home chefs in Bandra and Colaba
Cost: $20–$40
Add-on: Street food walking tour + hands-on snack-making.

South India: Coconut, Curry Leaves & Rice

Kochi – Kerala Flavors in Every Bite

Highlights: Fish molee, appam, stew, thoran, payasam
Where: Backwater homestays or cooking boats
Cost: $25–$60
Experience Tip: Combine with a spice plantation or market visit.

Madurai – Tamil Culinary Traditions

Highlights: Chettinad chicken, dosa, coconut chutneys
Where: Local families and temple-town hosts
Cost: $15–$30
Add-on: Temple darshan + cooking ritual foods (prasadam).

East & Northeast India: Heirloom Recipes & Tribal Flavors

Kolkata – Bengali Cooking with a Story

Highlights: Shorshe ilish (mustard hilsa), luchi-aloo dum, mishti doi
Where: Heritage homes and storytelling kitchens
Cost: $20–$45
Experience Tip: Learn both vegetarian and fish-based versions with cultural anecdotes.

Shillong or Sikkim – Tribal and Himalayan Cuisine

Highlights: Bamboo shoot dishes, momos, millet soups, fermented pickles
Where: Tribal-run homestays or eco-kitchens
Cost: $15–$35
Add-on: Learn about food preservation techniques and foraging practices.

Online Indian Cooking Classes (for Post-Trip Practice)

If you fall in love with the cuisine and want to keep cooking when you’re home:

Richa Hingle (Vegan Richa) – Focus on plant-based Indian meals
Swasthi’s Recipes – YouTube channel with step-by-step tutorials
Indian Home Cooking Classes (Airbnb Experiences) – Live classes with Indian hosts
Price Range: $10–$50 per class

Tips for Booking the Right Class

Choose by region – Focus on the cuisine of where you’re traveling
Look for home-based experiences – For more authentic interactions
Check language comfort – English-speaking hosts are widely available
Don’t miss markets – Many classes begin with a tour of spice or produce bazaars
Ask about recipes – Get printed or digital take-home instructions

In India, recipes are passed through generations like heirlooms—each carrying a flavor, a memory, and a story. Cooking classes are your chance to not only learn a dish but to connect deeply with its culture, people, and soul. Whether you're mastering masalas in a modern studio or flipping dosas with a grandma in a village, your Indian culinary journey starts with one spice, one smile, one stir at a time with Hi DMC.

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