Are you planning your first trip to Bali and searching for activities that will allow you to connect with the local culture? Then you absolutely have to book this cooking class in Ubud (or very close)!
Cooking classes are a fantastic way to interact with locals (especially the chefs leading the class) and learn about authentic Balinese rituals and customs. You’ll also discover more about Balinese cuisine and how it’s prepared and, of course, taste various delicious dishes (perhaps even stepping outside your comfort zone!).
This is generally what you can expect from most cooking classes in Bali. But mine was different. While cooking was a significant part of the experience, we also learned about the art of crafting canang sari offerings and participated in a gratitude meditation that touched even the most skeptical hearts in my group of friends.
Want to hear more about this soulful experience? Great! Keep reading for my honest review and details on how you can book your own.
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Quick Recommendations
Why Choose This Cooking Class in Bongkasa (near Ubud)?
The experience I joined (I’m calling it an “experience” rather than just a cooking class) took place in Bongkasa, a rural village about 13 kilometers from Ubud. It’s offered by a service called Bali Rural Life.
Unlike typical cooking classes, this experience offers a deeper immersion into Balinese culture. You’ll learn to cook delicious local dishes and participate in the meaningful ritual of crafting canang sari, connecting you to Balinese spiritual practice.
A guided mindfulness meditation provides a moment of peace and reflection on the experience you’re living. And experiencing all of this within the setting of a traditional village, surrounded by authentic Balinese life, makes it even more special.
The Nature
As we walked to the location, we were surrounded by the jungle, traditional Balinese homes, and family temples.
Before we arrived, Dharma, our chef and guide (who also happens to be a palm reader and intuitive), led us through a forested area, pointing out various plants, trees, and fruits used in Balinese cooking.
We walked through the mud (it had rained a few hours earlier), but being surrounded by pristine nature and the sounds of distant animals made it all worthwhile. (Please bring strong insect repellent!)
The cooking class location felt like a home, complete with a personal temple and multiple shrines for prayer. The beauty of the setting definitely added to the overall positive vibe of the experience.
The Activities
Once we arrived, Dharma and his colleague guided us through creating a canang sari and explained its spiritual and religious significance. Afterward, we gathered for a prayer of gratitude and presented our offerings. After this beautiful moment, we began the cooking lesson.
As I mentioned, the experience was much more than just a cooking class. The meditation, in particular, was especially touching, as Dharma guided us in expressing gratitude to our parents for everything they’ve given us throughout our lives.
It was a truly bonding experience for everyone involved. Want to learn more about the entire experience? Keep reading for my honest review and tips on planning your own cooking class!
Planning Your Stay in Ubud? Check Out The Below!
Bali Rural Life Cooking Class Review: My Experience
The Setting
The cooking class was held in Bongkasa, just 30 minutes from Ubud, but it felt worlds away. The area wasn’t touristy at all; it was quiet and had the authentic Balinese village atmosphere I’ve come to love.
Every home felt like a Hindu temple with its red-sandstone gates (and in fact, every house there had a family temple). The cooking class location was no exception, and this setting made the experience even more immersive.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a beautiful open-air garden filled with lush vegetation, potted plants, stone fountains, Hindu statues, and prayer altars. An older man was crafting kitchen utensils using fire and metal.
The class took place in a peaceful backyard garden, where tables and a kitchen were set up for us to learn about the canang sari ritual and Balinese cuisine. The only sounds around us were the chirping of insects, the typical soundtrack of the Balinese countryside – no scooters, no cars, just pure tranquility.
Canang Sari Making
If you’ve been to Bali or plan to travel there soon, you have to know that all kinds of rituals rule the life of Balinese Hindus. One of the most apparent is the Canang Sari. The Canang Sarai is an offering that Balinese make to gods to express gratitude for what they have and desire.
These offerings are everywhere – outside homes, in front of temples and shrines, on the beach, and throughout Bali’s towns and cities. Dharma explained that canang sari are crafted for various reasons, multiple times a day, and by different family members.
For example, the grandmother often prepares them each morning, adding freshly cooked food to start the day well. Dharma also explained to us that Canang Sari are sometimes used to distract evil spirits before entering a door (that’s why you find them in front of doors and stepping on them is bad luck).
If you were wondering, canang sari are made entirely from natural materials. To hold the offering, a square basket is woven from sturdy coconut and bamboo leaves. Colorful flowers are then arranged in the basket, but not randomly.
White flowers pointing east symbolize Iswara, red flowers pointing south symbolize Brahma, yellow flowers pointing west symbolize Mahadeva, and Blue or green flowers (in this case they were purple) pointing north symbolize Vishnu.
Finally, green leaves are placed on top. This is the basic canang sari. As you wander around Bali, you’ll see that people add all sorts of offerings besides flowers, with food and candies being the most common. I added my personal touch with a frangipani flower.
Gratitude Meditation
After we crafted our Canang Sari, Dharma and his colleague led us in a prayer and meditation. We walked in a line to an altar, where we placed our offerings, each topped with an incense stick.
Dharma then asked us to stand in a circle and close our eyes. He guided us through a gratitude meditation, starting with focusing on our breath to quiet our minds. We then focused on gratitude for the experience itself, the people we were sharing it with, and finally, our parents and ancestors for everything that had led us to this moment.
This took place on my last day in Bali, and it provided a beautiful opportunity to pause and reflect on the entire trip – the wonderful memories, the stunning places we’d visited, and the lovely people we’d met. I even saw a few people wiping away tears.
It was profoundly moving to connect with the people with whom I’d shared this experience, and it helped us all feel present in the moment. In the end, Dharma asked one of us to express gratitude to the group. Thinking back, this was, without a doubt, the moment that made this experience so special.
The Cooking Class
After the group meditation, we returned to the tables where various ingredients, wooden bowls, and kitchen utensils had been laid out for us. Dharma explained which Balinese specialties we would prepare: nasi goreng, chicken satay skewers, tempeh, and tofu. (We had requested some specific dishes, so if you’re interested in learning to cook something in particular, don’t hesitate to ask.)
Everyone had a task: some chopped vegetables, others peeled garlic, and some seasoned the meat for the satay. We all rotated through the different jobs.
One of the funniest moments was during the garlic and pepper preparation. We were all surprised by the quantity we were using, and Dharma kept reassuring us, “Yes, we use it all!” Once everything was prepped, Dharma led us to the kitchen area, where we cooked the vegetable mix, the nasi goreng, and the remaining dishes.
The Meal
Once everything was ready, we sat down to enjoy the delicious meal we had prepared. The flavors were authentic and vibrant, unlike anything we’d tasted before. Surprisingly, the garlic wasn’t too strong, though we could definitely feel the spice!
We had cooked so much food that it was hard to finish everything, but it gave us a chance to try many different dishes. As always, the tempeh was one of my favorites. I keep wondering how they make it so tasty in Bali, while mine at home never turns out quite as well.
They had water, Coke, and other beverages available (not included in the class price). Lunch was relaxed and unhurried (true Balinese style), giving us plenty of time to savor everything. During the meal, you can also ask Dharma to read your palm. But don’t spread the word too much; after a few readings, he got tired!
What I Loved About the Experience
Bongkasa
The setting was perfect for the authentic experience we were seeking. Bongkasa is a true rural village, where locals live their daily lives, kids zip around on motorbikes, and farmers greet you with a smile.
It felt peaceful, genuine, and quintessentially Balinese. It’s a world away from the more touristy areas like Seminyak and Canggu. Everything, from the surrounding jungle to the traditional Balinese compounds, enhanced the experience and made me fall in love with the place.
Dharma
Dharma, our guide for the entire experience, was a highlight. He’s kind, calm, and incredibly knowledgeable, always happy to answer questions and provide explanations.
I even managed to get my palm read, and the first thing he said was, “Oh wow, you’re a truly spiritual person”—which is spot on! So, I’m convinced he has some sort of magical powers. To top it all off, he gifted me with one of the bowls we used during the class, which I love. It made my day.
Pace of the Entire Experience
Despite the various activities, the experience was well-paced, with no downtime. After the forest walk, we went straight into making the canang sari, meditation, cooking class, and lunch. Everything was extremely well-organized and ran smoothly, without any boredom or hiccups.
The experience lasted three and a half hours but didn’t feel that long because we were constantly engaged and learning.
Gratitude Meditation & Canang Sari
I believe meditation truly sets this experience apart. While there are many excellent cooking classes in Ubud, few offer a mindful component that allows you to connect with the people you’re with and your surroundings.
Moreover, learning to craft the beautiful canang sari also provides insight into the importance of gratitude and how deeply this ritual is woven into Balinese daily life.
What Could Have Been Better (If I have to be Picky)
Garlic and Pepper Overload
I firmly believe in the “when in Rome” philosophy, so if the Balinese eat spicy food with lots of garlic, I’m happy to embrace it. However, not everyone shares my enthusiasm, and some of the food we prepared went uneaten because of the spice level. I’m sure we could have asked Dharma to use less chili and garlic (I’m sure he would have agreed to it), but none of us did.
So, a note to you: if you book a class with Bali Rural Life and prefer milder food, it’s worth mentioning and checking if they can adjust the spice level (or even omit it altogether). That being said, I do think that if you’re participating in a traditional cooking class, the experience should be as authentic as possible, which includes the traditional use of spices and garlic.
No Visit to The Local Market
Our itinerary mentioned a visit to the local market, but it didn’t happen. While I enjoyed exploring the surrounding garden and learning about the various plants and herbs used in cooking and liqueurs, I would have loved to visit a traditional Balinese market and pick out fresh ingredients.
So, a word of advice: even if it’s listed on the itinerary, double-check with Bali Rural Life to confirm the market visit if that’s something you’re looking forward to.
Looking for More Experiences in Ubud?
Planning Your Cooking Class with Bali Rural Life
Where to Book & Price
I highly recommend this cooking class in Ubud. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a proper website listing the same experience. However, you can contact them through their Instagram profile (it’s legit even if it doesn’t look like it, and the website linked is spam) and request the same activity.
You can also call them at +62 823-5950-7456 and ask for Dharma, or book the cooking class through this website.
On this website, a private cooking class for two is listed at $65 per person, which is a good deal for a 100% personalized experience (you can book your experience starting from 2 people). The price of my experience may vary depending on the group size. We paid around $40.
Here are some other similar experiences:
What’s Included in The Price
Everything, including transportation in the Ubud area, is included in the price of the experience. The only thing not included is the additional beverages you may purchase during the lunch (coke, bottled water, etc)
Are there vegetarian/vegan options?
Balinese cuisine is very familiar with vegan and vegetarian options. We didn’t request them because none of us had particular dietary restrictions. However, make sure to mention them right after booking the activity.
Refund Policy
Full refunds are issued for all cancellations made at least 48 hours before the activity.
Getting to Bongkasa & Bali Rural Life
Bongkasa is just 30 minutes from Ubud, on its left if you’re looking at a map.
If you’re booking through this link, transportation from the Ubud area to Bongkasa is included. However, as it’s close, you have other options to consider:
Scooter: If you’re comfortable navigating Bali’s roads and have an international driving permit, renting a scooter in Ubud offers the most flexibility. This is an excellent option if you plan to explore the Bongkasa area and want the freedom to roam. Scooter rentals in Ubud are affordable, starting at 70,000 IDR, depending on the model.
Grab/Gojek: Ride-hailing apps are another good option if you want to travel independently to and from Bongkasa.
So, are you ready for an authentic cooking (and more!) experience? If you’re seeking a genuine taste of Balinese life, don’t hesitate to book with Bali Rural Life.
You can join so many activities and classes in Ubud to connect with locals; this one was pure bliss. I hope this review inspires you to book this cooking class or another similar experience to dive deeper into Balinese culture and cuisine.
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