My Jolie’s Hoi An Cooking & Lantern Class Review (JHA4)

I was, you know, just wandering through Hoi An’s ancient town, feeling totally taken in by its special kind of atmosphere. The buildings with their yellow walls and all the glowing lanterns at night, honestly, they just make for a pretty magical feeling. I really wanted to find an experience that was, like, more than just looking at things; something hands-on, you know? So, I happened to find the ‘Cooking with Jolie in Hoi An and Lantern making class’, the one called JHA4, and well, it sort of seemed to be exactly what I was hoping to find. This is pretty much the story of my day where I didn’t just see a piece of Hoi An, but actually got to taste it and, like, make a part of it with my own two hands.

First Impressions and a Market Trip to Remember

Okay, so the day got started with a convenient pick-up, and the greeting we got from the whole team was, frankly, just incredibly warm and welcoming. It sort of set a really friendly mood for the rest of the day, right from the beginning. Our first activity, basically, was a short trip to a real local market, which was, seriously, a total party for your eyes and nose. We didn’t just, like, stroll through it on our own; our guide, who actually seemed to know everything about everything, pointed out all kinds of amazing stuff. For instance, we saw big piles of fresh green herbs I had never even heard of before, and their fragrances just filled up the air, you know? We got to learn how local people pick out the very best and freshest ingredients, which is, as a matter of fact, a real skill to have. It genuinely felt like getting a little look into the real daily life here in Hoi An, not just, you know, another standard tour, to be honest about it.

Getting Hands-On in the Kitchen

Next up, it was time to actually get our hands messy in the kitchen, and this was, of course, the part I was super excited about. The whole kitchen space was set up just perfectly, with individual cooking stations for everyone, so you kind of felt like a real chef for a bit. The teacher, who was extremely patient and clear, walked us through making a few classic Vietnamese dishes. We started with fresh spring rolls, which are called Gỏi cuốn, and honestly, learning to get that rice paper just right is a bit of an art form. Then we tried our hand at making a papaya salad, which had this, like, amazing mix of sweet, sour, and spicy tastes all at once. The instructions were really easy to follow, and the teachers were always right there to help out if you, like, got a little bit stuck. It was incredibly satisfying to be creating these wonderful smells and flavors all on your own, seriously.

I mean, there’s just something about chopping up fresh lemongrass and chilies that you picked from the garden minutes earlier. It’s a very different kind of connection to your food, right?

The Art of Crafting Your Own Hoi An Lantern

After our cooking session, we, you know, moved on to the second part of the experience: making our very own Hoi An lantern. This part is, obviously, a big reason why people pick this specific class. You see these beautiful lanterns hanging everywhere in the town, and the idea of making one to take home is just really appealing. A skilled artisan showed us, step-by-step, how it’s done, from bending the bamboo frame into shape to attaching the colorful silk. I picked a deep blue silk for mine, by the way. The process itself is almost therapeutic, in a way, as you carefully stretch the fabric and glue it down onto the frame. You have to be patient, of course, but it’s not too difficult. Honestly, that final moment when you pop the frame open and see your completed lantern is just pure magic. You basically get to carry a little piece of Hoi An’s soul home with you, which is pretty special.

A Feast for the Senses: Tasting Our Creations

Alright, so with the cooking and crafting done, the best part was arguably next: we got to eat everything we had just made. The team set up a beautiful table for all of us, and we all sat down together to enjoy the lunch we had prepared. Sharing a meal like that, one that you literally made with your own hands, is just a fantastic way to connect with the other people in the group. Everybody was, you know, comparing how their spring rolls turned out and just talking about the day. The food itself was, seriously, unbelievably tasty. Maybe it’s because we made it, but every bite felt super fresh and full of flavor. It was a really lovely, relaxed way to end the main activities, just sitting back and enjoying the fruits of our labor, so to speak.

Was the JHA4 Class Worth It? My Honest Opinion

So, at the end of the day, you probably want to know if this class is a good choice for your trip to Hoi An. To be honest, I think it absolutely is. What I liked most was that it combined two of Hoi An’s best features—its amazing food and its beautiful lanterns—into one single, seamless experience. The pacing was just right, you know; you never felt rushed or bored. The people running the show are clearly very passionate about what they do, and that makes a huge difference. I would say this experience is pretty much perfect for almost anyone. For instance, solo travelers will find it’s a great way to meet other people. Couples will likely find it to be a really fun and collaborative date. And families, especially with older children, would probably have a complete blast with the hands-on activities. It’s more or less a perfect slice of Vietnamese culture packed into a few wonderful hours.

A Quick Look Back

Basically, this whole experience gives you a really genuine feel for the local culture. You get more than a meal; you get the story behind it, from the market to the plate, and a beautiful souvenir you made yourself. It’s a very memorable way to spend half a day in Hoi An.

• The Market Tour: It’s a genuine look at local life, not just a quick walkthrough. You really learn something, you know?
• The Cooking: Instructions are super clear and the food you make is, honestly, delicious.
• The Lantern Making: This is a very calming and satisfying activity that leaves you with a really unique keepsake.
• The People: The staff are just incredibly friendly and make the whole experience feel special.
• Value: At the end of the day, you get a market tour, a cooking lesson, a full meal, and a craft workshop all in one.

Read our full review: [Cooking with Jolie in Hoi An and Lantern making class Full Review and Details]

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