Nia Balinese Cooking Class

We had in incredible time at Warung Nia! The market trip was really enjoyable - it definitely felt different to learn about the ingredients in the same place they're sold, rather than back at the cooking area. The class has also negotiated favorable prices for many ingredients (many of which are airplane and customs safe) - often 2-3x better than if you tried to purchase them independently. The market is crowded, so like any busy areas watch your bags, and make sure you're keeping the space clear for the regular patrons. We didn't have any troubles hearing our chef's explanations even in the busy market. The chef also provided alternatives to many Balinese ingredients that may be difficult to find in local markets back in your home country, which was also really helpful. The cooking area itself is outside, but covered. There are fans going and water provided, so although it is warm it isn't unbearable. I recommend bringing extra water if that is a concern. Additional drinks (and souvenirs) are available for purchase as well. Lockers (with locks) are provided if you have bags or other personal belongings. The class itself covered ~10 dishes. No one dish is done start to finish (many require several hours of marinating or slow braising), but we got to do a variety of steps that made it feel like a complete experience. We got some snacks (that we made) along the way, but don't eat too many of those! The meal at the end is way more than most tables can finish, and is all delicious. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and will happily answer questions (or jump in to ball you out if you're falling behind). Our favorite dishes to make were the nasi goreng and mi goreng, stir fried in woks over high heat. Don't get too close to the wok, as it can burst into flames (this is a good thing). The staff took photos throughout the event, which we received via WhatsApp - perfect if you're too busy cooking to grab your phone. We walked away with a certificate of completion, a recipe book covering everything we made, and full stomachs. If you somehow have room for dinner, or if you're going to have more time in Seminyak, they also offer a 15% discount (at the time of writing) if class participants come back later. They are known for their pork ribs, that unfortunately we just didn't have the stomach space to try! We would happily do this again and recommend it to anyone who enjoys cooking (and more importantly eating). We had a variety of skill levels in our group, and everyone was able to participate safely and enjoy. We didn't have any children in our group, but there were other tables that did and it looked like the children were able to participate as well.