Hello! Bali offers many cooking classes where you can make and taste traditional Indonesian dishes. I recently had the chance to experience one at Sadara Resort in Nusa Dua. While there are many places that offer cooking classes, this one is run directly by the hotel, so I was very satisfied with the friendly, hygienic, and well-organized service. Let me share my experience with you in more detail.
About Sadara Resort (Sadara Report)
Sadara Resort is a beachfront resort located in the Nusa Dua area of Bali. The resort features a total of 81 stylish rooms and suites. I stayed in one of the suites for two nights, and since it’s situated right by the ocean, I was able to enjoy the refreshing view and the peaceful atmosphere that Nusa Dua is known for.
The suite we stayed in was located right in front of the ocean, offering a beautiful ocean view directly from the room. There was also a jacuzzi just outside, perfect for enjoying a relaxing soak. I’ll share more details about the room and my overall stay in the next post.
Balinese cooking class experience at Sadara Resort
We booked the Balinese cooking class in advance before staying at Sadara Resort. At the scheduled time, we headed to the designated location and found everything already set up. We joined the class in an outdoor space behind the pool, though the resort may change the location depending on the situation. Taking a cooking class in such a beautiful outdoor setting got me really excited. While I waited briefly, the staff served me a welcome drink.
Today’s Cooking Class 💛
- Ayam Suir Bumbu Bail (Balinese Shredded Chicken) 🥄
- Pepes Ikan (Balinese Pan seared Fish in Babana Leaf) 🥄
- Kolak Pisang (Boiled Bananan in Palm sugar and coconut Milk) 🥄
- Recipes, apron, chef hat, and post-class meal provided
The Balinese cooking class we participated in was very private and attentive as there were only 2 of us in the group. The chef gave us a full explanation before we started cooking. We made 2 dishes and 1 dessert, and the class took about 2 hours including the meal. The recipes for the dishes we made that day will be emailed to you : )
The class begins with an explanation of each prepared ingredient, one by one. Although the lesson is conducted in English, the vocabulary is quite simple, so even those who aren’t fluent in English can still participate comfortably. We had the chance to touch, taste, and smell local ingredients commonly used in Bali, such as shallots and lemongrass, which really helped us understand them better.
Listening to the explanation of the ingredients, I noticed some similarities with what we use in Korea, which was quite interesting. I was especially intrigued by how often chili peppers are used. They use red and green chilies, and some varieties were even spicier than the ones we typically use in Korea. The chef mentioned that Balinese people really enjoy spicy food 🙂
In this cooking class, I made a total of three dishes—two main courses and one dessert. The chef demonstrated each step at the front, and I followed along at my own pace. The staff stayed right beside me, offering help and detailed guidance, so I had no trouble keeping up. Since these were popular dishes commonly enjoyed in Bali, I found the cooking process simple and fun 😊.
I had so much fun trying to follow along while watching the chef’s lively and skillful knife work. Prepping each ingredient, mixing everything together, and tasting as we cooked made the whole process really enjoyable 👍. We grilled marinated fish wrapped in banana leaves, and the aroma was absolutely amazing! 😄 In Bali, banana leaves are commonly used instead of parchment paper since they’re so readily available 🙂
Voila, I finished preparing two main dishes in no time. I couldn’t believe I actually made them myself, lol. After I cooked the main dishes, I sat down to eat first and then moved on to making dessert. The staff prepared the rice and helped serve the meal. The food tasted even better because I made everything from scratch.
After a leisurely meal, the chef comes back to make the dessert.
I simmered banana, jackfruit, sugar, coconut milk, and a few other ingredients to make this dessert. With its sweet and nutty flavor, it turned out to be one of those treats that can’t go wrong 👍🏻. I simply tossed everything into a pot and let it cook, so it was super easy to make—I’m definitely planning to recreate it at home in Korea too 🙂
[Read more about the cooking class].
Overall Review
I took my first cooking class while traveling abroad, and I had a great experience cooking and tasting dishes made with local ingredients 👍🏻. In Bali, many places offer cooking classes, but I joined one that the resort hosted directly, which made it super convenient since I didn’t have to go anywhere else. The chef and staff guided us in a very attentive and friendly way, creating a private and well-organized atmosphere that made the experience both fun and educational.
If you’re planning to stay at Sadara Resort, I highly recommend trying out their cooking class too 💛
