As Japanese cuisine is getting popular, there is also a demand for Japanese cooking schools. If you are serious about becoming a professional chef in Japanese cuisine, learning the skills at a Japanese cooking school is always an option. However, you might think that it is still hard to find a culinary school that offers Japanese cuisine. Especially if you do not speak Japanese, you find it almost impossible to find one. So, for those hoping to learn at a Japanese cooking school, here is the list of schools offering Japanese cuisine courses in English, including some notable institutions.
Le Cordon Bleu
This global giant of French culinary schools has been offering a Japanese cuisine certificate course at its Paris campus. The course is a 6-week training program for anyone who wishes to train for professional purposes. Classes are taught in English but also translated into French and cover everything from acquiring techniques for using knives to how to prepare traditional Japanese cuisine, including sushi and sashimi. This school is certainly one of the most high-end and expensive options. In addition to that, its London campus offers a 1-day class as well.
Location:
Paris, London
Program options:
<Paris>
Japanese cuisine certificate course
<London>
Japanese cooking course
Duration:
- Japanese cuisine certificate course (Paris): 6 weeks
- Japanese cooking course (London): 1 day
Tuition and Fees:
- Japanese cuisine certificate course (Paris): €6,000 *Students not from one of Le Cordon Bleu’s culinary arts programs are subject to pay extra for a student kit, such as uniforms, etc.
Admission requirement:
- All applicants must be aged 18 years or older.
- The programs are open to beginners. Experience or practical knowledge is not required.
- Applicants must possess a baccalaureate or equivalent.
Tokyo Sushi Academy
From sushi to tempura, you can learn the basics of authentic Japanese cuisine at this Japanese cooking school. More than 4,000 graduates from this school have found jobs in over 50 countries since their foundation in 2002. All courses are designed for beginner-intermediate chefs. Students who have completed a course with more than 80% of the participation rate will be awarded a certificate. Also, those who have met the criteria above and passed the writing test will receive a certificate of Bronze designed by the Ministry of Agriculture of Japan.
Their Singapore school is one of the few schools where you can learn Japanese culinary art in Southeastern Asia. In fact, it was the first school outside Japan with a professional sushi training program. Due to the pandemic, the school has put all the courses on pause. It has been offering online courses with certificates instead.
Campus Location:
Tokyo
Program Options:
- 5 weeks total course (4-week sushi/sashimi and 5-day Japanese cuisine course)
- 5 days Japanese cuisine course (Grill & Fry technique for Japanese cuisine)
- 10 days Japanese cooking course (Sushi and Washoku)
- Online courses with certificate
Duration:
- 5 weeks (Monday to Friday 9:00am to 3:00pm)
- 5 days (Monday to Friday 9:00am to 3:00pm)
- 10 days (Monday to Friday 9:00am to 3:00pm)
- n/a
Tuition and Fees:
1) ~ 3) : Contact for tuitions and fees
4) : 3,000~54,000JPY
Admission Requirements:
Applicants need to be ages 18 or older and be able to stay legally in Japan during the course.
Master of Japanese Cuisine Academy (Online Japanese Cooking School)
Most importantly, this is the only option you do not have to travel because it offers 100% online courses. The course tuition is also more reasonable than other Japanese cooking schools. The academy was founded by a group of experienced Japanese chefs, and its mission is to make an opportunity to learn authentic Japanese food available to everyone.
On top of life-long access to informative videos and visual-rich materials, some courses also include personalized feedback and weekly mentoring online sessions with an experienced chef mentor.
Campus Location:
Anywhere (100% Online)
Program Options:
- Sushi Masterclass (Foundation)
- Sushi Masterclass (Advanced)
- Membership plan (Access to selected courses)
- Grand Membership Plus (Access to all existing & future courses)
- Individual Japanese cuisine courses
Duration:
5-6 weeks
Tuition and Fees:
- Foundation course:
- Certificate plan (incl. personalized feedback & mentoring sessions during the course): €736.77 (one-time) or €147.35(five-time payments)
- Self-study plan (personalized feedback & mentoring sessions during the course not included): €183.27
- Advanced course:
- Certificate plan (incl. personalized feedback & mentoring sessions during the course): €859.77
- Self-study plan (personalized feedback & mentoring sessions during the course not included): €367.77
- Membership plan: €11.07 monthly or €109.47 yearly
- Grand Membership Plus: €736.77 one-time payment or €244.77 three-time payments
- The price varies depending on the courses.
Admission Requirements:
The teaching language is English. However, you don’t have to be fluent. In fact, basic language skills would be sufficient.
Salon de Hifumi-an
If you are thinking of visiting Japan for a week or so to learn the traditional cuisine of the country, this Japanese cooking school could be an option. In addition to the cooking method itself, you can learn about ingredients, display techniques, etc., to make your Japanese cuisine as authentic as possible. Your instructor is skilled and talented, having been awarded one Michelin star three times and two stars four times.
Campus Location:
Tokyo
Program Options:
- 1-day Japanese cooking class
- Japanese home-style cooking class
- Sushi cooking class
- Sushi and Japanese home cooking course
- Japanese cuisine demonstration class
- Seasonal bento class
<Professional Japanese chef master class>
- Basic course: Japanese home cooking 3-day course
- Basic course: Japanese home cooking 6-day course
- Advanced course: Kaiseki-cuisine 3-day course
- Kaiseki-cuisine 6-day course (advanced)
- Advanced course: Kaiseki-cuisine 12-day course
Duration:
1-12 days
Tuition and Fees:
1: n/a
2 – 4: From 19,440JPY depending on course details
5: From 29,160JPY depending on course details
<Professional Japanese chef master class>
- From 19,440JPY depending on course details
- 225,000JYP
- 420,000JYP
- 336,000JYP
- 672,000JYP
- 1200,000JYP
Admission Requirements:
The number of people in a class is limited from 6 to 12 people.
Culinary Institute of America
The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) is one of America’s most well-known culinary institutes. This institute operates in a few locations inside and outside of the country. The New York campus launched its Advanced Japanese Cuisine program in late 2016. This course was designed and implemented by renowned master chefs, including Hiroki Murashima of Tsuji Culinary Institute in Osaka.
However, the program is only open to CIA juniors and seniors in the bachelor’s program. It covers a wide range of knowledge and advanced techniques of Japanese cooking. On top of some Japanese signature dishes like sashimi and yakitori, students also learn cooking methods like charcoal grilling, steamed foods, and rice cookery. The framework also includes the study of Japanese history, kaiseki, knife skills, sake knowledge.
Campus Location:
New York
Program Options:
Advanced Japanese cuisine course (Bachelor’s degree concentration)
Duration:
Juniors and seniors in the bachelor’s program
Tuition and Fees:
$19,880/semester, including tuition, general fees, etc. Additional fees may apply.
Admission Requirements:
The course is offered to senior and junior students pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the CIA.
Miyako Sushi & Washoku School
Founded with a mission of supporting the development of the sushi industry, this Japanese cooking school provides essential skills of Japanese cuisine to future chefs in America.
One unique characteristic of this school is that they focus on the modern American sushi style and the traditional Japanese style. They welcome all levels of enthusiastic students, and no previous experience is required. Their intensive courses certainly would be perfect for those passionate about learning Japanese cuisine in a short time of 2 or 4 weeks. Also, their job search support and certificates offer high-quality education and pathways to future-generation chefs.
Campus Location:
Los Angeles
Program Options:
- Sushi Course
- Washoku of California Cuisine Course
Duration:
- 4 weeks (five hours a day/five days a week)
- 2 weeks (five hours a day/five days a week)
Tuition and Fees:
- $2,400
- $1,800
Admission Requirements:
- Students are required to bring their own knives and uniforms during the course.
- Due to COVID-19, the courses are temporarily closed. The reopening date will be announced.
ACPP Portugal
Partnered with the Tokyo College of Sushi and Washoku (TSCW), the Japanese cooking school in Lisbon has attracted many Japanese cuisine enthusiasts. Their well-organized structure helps you learn traditional Japanese cuisine but is adapted to the western market.
With lectures given by Miguel Bértolo, a master chef certified in traditional Japanese food, and other chefs trained by TCSW, students will be able to learn practical techniques face-to-face and the theory about Japanese cuisine online. In addition, the students who have passed the test guided by the TCSW chef will obtain an Advanced Diploma. They also receive a certificate, which is recognized by the Japanese government.
Campus Location:
Lisbon, Portugal
Program Options:
Japanese Cuisine and Sushi Course
Duration:
2 modules in a total of 304 hours (4 hours a day/4 days a week)
Tuition and Fees:
€2,200
Admission Requirements:
n/a
