A cooking class with depth - My airbnb host (Vy of Ivy Homestays) suggested I go to An Nhien Garden Restaurant for an impeccable vegan dinner on arrival in Hue, Vietnam. I further investigated and found they offered cooking classes. For my last day in Hue I booked into a class and I gained more than I could have imagined from rocking up to a cooking class. Nhien and I wondered the tranquil grounds hidden in a quiet street, behind grand garden walls and iron gates. Nhien, proud of her 500 year ancestral history on this exact spot and future legacy, enlightened me of the story of her lineage and her ancestors home. We talked all things north, south, east and west. I had just alighted from a four day epic motorbike ride on the Ho Chi Minh trail (Trung Son with Suu of Easy rider Adventures ) visiting mountain ethnic people and historical war sites along the way. I was able to converse and further unpack my questions and confirmations with this very knowledgeable woman as we sat under the watchful eyes of her ancestors. We dove into cooking preparations with the fun job of chopping; very meditative. We sipped cool drinks and unpacked the when, where and why of condiments and a number of the An Nhien Garden Restaurant secret methods. By now I was starving having fussed with making preparations perfect. Impeccable timing! As we rolled our fresh spring rolls we satiated our hunger, devouring our first creations. Nhien then showed me a native fig that grows only in old gardens of the city of Hue. By preparing them just right, they were transformed into a nourishing unrecognisable salad. This concluded our cooking class and I was ushered into the restaurant to continue another two courses, attentively prepared by the chef. How did a mere cooking class turn into one of depth, intimacy of knowledge sharing and an opportunity to feel feminine and have such healthful clean food. Thank you Nhien. You have made an impact on my experience and the definition and depth of experiencing a cooking class on your family grounds.

A deep look into individual / local history and cuisine - We had a memorable time with Nhien, the co-owner of the restaurant and our cooking / history teacher of the day. As a Vietnamese, I really appreciate Nhien’s efforts to share her family’s story in the bigger picture of Vietnam’s history, and at the same time add her personal flavor into such a cultural, culinary experience. Nhien answered all our questions, not just those about food and culture but also questions about her personal decisions and interests. That allowed us to get to know her beyond her profession, which added a personal touch to the whole experience. We learned to make veggie rolls with peanut sauce and fig with king oyster mushroom salad, which are indeed quite easy to make and a great option when you would like to cook with others. Other dishes we enjoyed at the restaurant afterwards were also delicious. The communication with the team was nothing but smooth. We highly recommend the tour and suggest you take more time to explore the nearly 500-year-old beautiful garden before/after the experience.

Cooking class and dinner - Absolutely brilliant. From the tour, to the class and finally the dinner. Highly recommend and you must visit this restaurant

Don’t miss this experience - Amazing ambience in the grounds & restaurant. Cooking class was so much fun & informative & was great to eat your own creations together with those delicious meals delivered by the chefs

Vegetarian cooking class off the beaten track - Lovely cooking class in beautiful surroundings with the owner. An Nhien is a fab place and we learnt so much about Vietnamese vegetarian cooking. Thank you!

Amazing unique moment - We had an amazing experience in An Nhien Garden ! Much more than a classic cooking class ! Thank you so much Nhien for sharing your family stories, your place and your cooking tips ! It very interesting, a magnificent garden, and a very pleasent moment while doing a cooking class. Everything was perfect ! Thank you again Nhien 🙏🏼!

Excellent experience - Our trip started with an interesting Hue market tour where our local guide made selections of vegetable and herb that were to be utilized in our lunch. From the market we arrived at An Nhien Garden and restaurant. How beautiful ! The garden is superbly cool in the heat. From the garden Nhien provided a history that helped our understanding of Vietnamese family life and culture. Centuries of family history ! Our experience continued with an amazing cooking class with expert chef Nhien. Nhien’s sharing of tips and expertise were truly appreciated. We then enjoyed the delicious delicate flavours of our class prepared meal. We leave inspired to explore more of Vietnamese cuisine and culture. Thank you Nhien. All the staff were friendly and helpful. Highly recommend a visit to An Nhien Garden !!

The best of Vietnamese cuisine from a wonderful team of experts - An exceptional experience. Expert tuition, education and insight into vegetarian Hue cuisine. In addition, an inspiring narrative that delves into the 20 generations of family history, spanning over 700 years.

Exceptional - Exceptional. A wonderful experience for mind, body and soul. Nhien a wonderful host.. A highlight of our time in Vietnam

Cookery class with a difference - The whole experience was great. We got an opportunity to made lovely vegan food ourselves which we then ate. Food at restaurant was very good - light and full of delicate flavours. The tour of the property was enlightening as conducted by the gracious host. Well worth a visit!