Sanur has a solid handful of cooking schools that teach Balinese cuisine, from half-day market-to-table classes to longer multi-dish sessions. Most classes run for three to four hours, cost between USD 35 and USD 65 per person, and include a visit to a local market before the cooking begins.
What to Expect From a Sanur Cooking Class
The typical format starts early, around 8am, with a guided walk through Sindhu Market or Sanur Night Market to buy fresh ingredients. Back in the kitchen, you prepare four to six dishes, which usually include a curry paste (base genep), a satay, a vegetable dish such as lawar, and a main like bebek betutu or ayam bakar. You eat what you cook at the end of the session. Classes are kept small, generally four to twelve people, and most venues provide printed recipe cards to take home.
Specific Cooking Schools in Sanur
Agung Raka Cooking Class is one of the most consistently reviewed options in the area. It runs daily morning classes that cover traditional Balinese dishes with hands-on preparation from scratch, including making spice pastes using a stone mortar rather than a blender. The class is held in a home kitchen setting, which keeps it informal and practical.
Sanur Cooking Class by Ketut is another local operator that takes small groups to Sindhu Market before cooking five or six dishes in a family compound. The price sits around USD 35 to USD 45 per person and the session runs approximately three and a half hours.
Several of Sanur’s mid-range hotels, including Puri Santrian and Tandjung Sari, periodically offer cooking demonstrations or half-day classes for guests and non-guests alike. It is worth contacting them directly to check current schedules, as these are not always bookable online.
Booking and Practical Details
Most Sanur cooking classes can be booked through Airbnb Experiences, Viator, or directly with the school via WhatsApp. Booking at least 24 hours in advance is recommended, as classes have minimum numbers to run. Vegetarian and vegan adjustments are available at most venues if requested at the time of booking. Classes typically conclude before noon, leaving the afternoon free. Wear clothes you do not mind getting turmeric on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cooking classes in Sanur suitable for beginners?
Yes. All of the cooking schools in Sanur cater to beginners. Instructors guide you through each step, and no prior cooking experience is needed. The pace is relaxed and explanatory rather than technical.
How does Sanur compare to Ubud for cooking classes?
Ubud has a larger number of cooking schools and more competition, which can mean slightly lower prices. Sanur classes tend to be smaller and more personalised. If you are based in Sanur and do not want to travel to Ubud, the local options are genuinely good and cover the same core Balinese curriculum.
What dishes will I learn to cook?
Most Sanur classes teach a spice paste (the foundation of Balinese cooking), a satay, a coconut-based vegetable salad (lawar), a soup or curry, and a grilled or steamed protein dish. The exact menu varies by school, so check with the specific operator before booking if there is a dish you particularly want to learn.
