Cooking & Culture: The Secret of Japanese Home Meals

Cooking & Culture: The Secret of Japanese Home Meals

Vegan Ichiju Sansai

This class is sold out!

I grew up eating home-cooked Japanese meals that were simple but always thoughtful. Meals were about balance, seasonality, and appreciation. We didn’t talk much about “healthy eating,” but the way we cooked and ate naturally supported it.

Over time I realized that what makes Japanese cuisine special isn’t just the recipes. It’s how we cook, how we eat, and how we relate to food. That’s what I want to share in this class.

This is not just a cooking class. It’s an introduction to the foundations of Japanese home cooking and the culture that surrounds it.

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What is Ichijiru Sanai?

Ichiju Sansai means “one soup, three dishes.”
It is the traditional structure of a Japanese meal, designed to support balance and nourishment using simple, everyday ingredients.

This way of eating teaches us how to build a meal that feels complete without being heavy — and how to appreciate each dish as part of a whole. It’s a philosophy that has supported everyday health in Japan for generations.

You Will Learn

• Essential, versatile Japanese cooking techniques used in everyday home meals
• How to compose a balanced Ichiju Sansai meal
• The cultural philosophy behind Japanese home cooking
• How simplicity, seasonality, and appreciation shape the way we eat

Menu (vegan)

• Green Beans Goma-ae
• Celery & Carrot Kinpira
• Multigrain Rice
• Miso Soup
• Turnip Pickles
• Pan-grilled Tofu with Scallion Ginger Sauce

Who This Class Is For

• Anyone curious about Japanese home cooking beyond sushi and ramen
• Those interested in plant-forward, everyday meals
• People who appreciate food culture, mindfulness, and practical cooking skills

What to Bring & Class Info

• A pen/pencil
• Apron (optional)
• Indoor slippers (optional)

Number of Participants: 6 – 10

Fee: $105 per person

Location: My home in Newton, a Japanese-style space where we remove our shoes at the entrance — feel free to bring your own indoor slippers.

Experience: Hands-on, communal cooking and eating together. We will prepare all the dishes as a group and then sit down to enjoy the meal together.

Cancellation policy, please click here.