Learn to cook Balinese cousine in Ubud

Paon Cooking Class in Bali

Ubud, the lush cultural heart of Bali, is often celebrated for its rice terraces, art galleries, and tranquil vibe, but what truly connects me to this place is its food. On my recent visit, I decided to dive deeper into Balinese culture through something a bit more hands-on: the Paon Bali Ubud Cooking Class.

Paon Bali Ubud Cooking Class is a highly popular culinary experience located in the cultural heart of Bali, Ubud. This class is designed to immerse participants in authentic Balinese cuisine and culture. Paon means kitchen in Indonesian and Paon Bali Cooking Class is a cooking class housed in the private villa of Puspa and her husband Wayan in Ubud. The hosts are warm and have a great sense of humor. The atmosphere is extremely friendly and the meals are prepared in the beautiful outdoor garden kitchen.

Cooking classes in Bali have become very popular. Travelers get together to learn about, prepare, cook and enjoy Balinese cousine. Attending a cooking class in Bali will open a new world of local flavors to you and you will be able to take the techniques and recipes home with you as the best souvenir ever. For me the Paon Bali cooking class will be one of the lasting experiences from Bali and I felt that I was in the home of some very close friends.

Our wonderful teacher at Paon Bali Cooking Class that in a traditional Balinese home in the lush surroundings of Ubud, providing an authentic setting. Photo: Merete Moen

A cooking class that starts at the Ubud Market

We started the cooking class by going to the market in Ubud early morning. The experience began with a market tour, a colorful and bustling start to the day. Our group gathered early, and after a warm welcome, we headed to a traditional Ubud market. This is where Balinese life starts every day with an explosion of colors, scents, and the chatter of locals bargaining for fresh produce. It’s not just a shopping trip; it’s a window into the soul of Balinese cooking. Our guide walked us through the unique ingredients we’d be working with—exotic spices, fresh herbs, and vegetables I couldn’t wait to try.

Cooking at home

After the market, we made our way to Paon Bali, set in a beautiful traditional Balinese home. I felt like I was stepping into another world one where food is not just a necessity, but a celebration. Our hosts, Puspa and Wayan, greeted us with the kind of warmth you only find in Bali. Their passion for sharing their culture through food was contagious, and they made everyone feel like part of the family. The temperature and humidity is high in Bali and the fresh lime juice we were greeted with upon arrival at Paon Bali tasted heavenly.

We were split up in groups to do preparation, chopping, slicing, dicing and blending. The cooking itself was pure joy. We each had our own station and ingredients, so there was no need to share. Puspa led us step by step, showing us how to grind fresh spices using a traditional mortar and pestle, something that might look simple but requires skill to master. The smells wafting through the kitchen were intoxicating lemongrass, turmeric, galangal, and ginger all mingling together. it came to cooking we were paired and each of us took turns doing the cooking under close supervision of the instructors. As a starter we made Kuah Wong, a delicious clear mushroom and vegetable soup.

Target Audience: English-speaking tourists and food enthusiasts interested in local cuisine, culture, and hands-on cooking experiences. Photo: Merete Moen

Every dish was a labor of love, but nothing felt rushed. Puspa and Wayan’s enthusiasm made it feel like we were cooking for friends. And when we finally sat down to enjoy the feast we had created, it was incredibly satisfying. I felt like I had not only learned to cook Balinese food but also understood the heart behind each dish. Below the magical yellow sauce that goes into many Balinese traditional dishes is in the making.

The class typically lasts about 5 hours, including market tours and cooking time. Photo: Merete Moen

The dishes on the beautiful plate below are Sate Siap ( minced chicken grilled on bamboo sticks), Kecang Me Santok ( vegetables in peanut sauce), Jukut Urab (coconut and snake bean salad) and Pepesan Be Pasih (steamed fish in banana leaves).

Participants will learn about traditional Balinese cooking techniques such as using a mortar and pestle to grind spices and how to properly balance flavors like sweet, spicy, and savory. Photo: Merete Moen

And for dessert Kolak Bui, boiled banana in palm sugar syrup. I am giving you this recipe but if any of you would like the recipes for the other dishes, please email me at merete@worldwithasuitcase.com and I will be so happy to send them to you as the whole meal was amazing and not difficult to make at all.

Kolak Bui. Photo: Merete Moen

Kolak Bui, boiled banana in palm sugar syrup, serves 4-6:

Ingredients:

2 bananas, 2 tablespoons palm sugar, 2 tablespoons coconut cream,

5 pieces of jackfruit, 1 pandan leaf, 1 tablespoon corn flour (optional),

1 pinch of salt, 2 cups of water.

For garnish: 1 tablespoon grated coconut and one tablespoon palm sugar.

Instructions: Slice the bananas, grate the palm sugar and cut the jackfruit into thin slices. Boil the water and add pandas leaf, banana slices, jackfruit, palm sugar and coconut cream. Add the corn flour to about 2 tablespoons of water in a separate cup and mix together. Let the banana mixture cook for about 2 minutes and add the corn flour liquid, stirring gently, to thicken it. Stirr for less than a minute an remove the pan from the heat. Serve on a dessert plate and enjoy!

The instructors often share cultural stories and history that deepen the understanding of Balinese culinary traditions. Photo: Merete Moen 

A cultural and culinary immersion in Ubud

What sets Paon Bali Ubud Cooking Class apart from other cooking classes I’ve taken around the world is the cultural immersion. This isn’t just about learning a few recipes; it’s about experiencing the Balinese way of life. Every ingredient, every technique has a story, and Puspa and Wayan share those stories with such love and humor that you can’t help but be enchanted. Paon Bali Cooking Class in Ubud was a wonderful experience. Everything was brilliant from the market tour, the premises, the jungle view, the preparations, the cooking and the food.

Why you should take a cooking class in Bali

If you’re planning a trip to Bali and Ubud and want to do more than just scratch the surface of Balinese culture, this cooking class is a must. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, you’ll leave with new skills, a satisfied appetite, and a deeper connection to Bali’s rich culinary heritage. It’s an experience that goes beyond the kitchen, it’s a journey through Bali’s vibrant food culture, and one that I’ll always treasure.The couple running the cooking class and the staff are so lovely and so welcoming. Puspa was our cooking teacher and she is so generous, friendly and authentic. She takes the time to explain everything in details and is so pleased to have you in her home.

If you love good food you will enjoy this experience, make sure to come hungry! I you would like to visit on your next trip to Bali, you need to book in advance. The cooking class is held in a welcoming and relaxed environment. The teachers are often praised for being friendly, enthusiastic, and skilled at creating a fun yet informative atmosphere. The cooking class is a cultural immersion, it is not just about cooking but also experiencing Balinese culture. Great for tourists who prefer active, participatory experiences and the market visit adds another layer of authenticity to the experience.

To learn more or to book a session, click to visit the homepage of Paon Bali Cooking Class I was on a press trip to Bali invited by Visit Indonesia.