Experience Home Dinners in Ho Chi Minh City with Withlocals

"My husband and I love spring rolls, so when we stumbled across Elise’s private spring roll class and found ourselves with a few extra hours to spare, well…it was destiny! From the minute we signed up Elise was super friendly and helpful: she offered to answer any questions we might have about HCMC, make recommendations for food, and even book restaurant reservations if we needed help. So sweet! We met at a local supermarket in her neighborhood and as we shopped for ingredients she taught us about how food is integrated into the local culture. Very interesting. Then we walked a few short blocks to her family home where we were greeted warmly by her amazing mom and adorable dog. We sat at the dining table and started cooking right away, mostly chopping and grating, though I was “fired” from the latter because my grated radishes weren’t up to mom’s standards. That and she did it three times faster than me. LOL Once all the ingredients were assembled we rolled…and we rolled…and we rolled some more. There were only two of us but I swear we made 50 spring rolls! I was in heaven! Her mom then took them into the kitchen and showed us how to fry them. She made it look so easy, using chopsticks to fit far more in the fry pan than I thought possible. In no time at all we were stuffing our faces with the most delicious spring rolls you can imagine, wrapped in fresh lettuce and herbs with a homemade dipping sauce to impart even more flavor. We washed them down with local beer and somehow made room for fresh fruit for dessert. Oh, they also offered us some local sticky-rice desserts wrapped in banana leaves and stuffed with coconut, mung bean, etc. Heavenly! It was a fabulous few hours and we walked away fat and soooo happy! Elise, big thanks to you and your mom for one of the highlights of our time in HCMC! If you love spring rolls, you’d be crazy not to take this class!"

"We spent a great day with Elise in Saigon. We started our tour with a visit to a local grocery store where she explained all of the items there that were unique to Vietnam and identified several things that she felt we should bring home to the US. Following our trip to the store, Elise took us to her modest apartment where she and her mother cooked us an amazing meal while sharing with us the details of the recipes so that we can prepare the dishes back home. It was essentially an informal cooking class where we not only learned how to cook some delicious Vietnam dishes, but we also learned about Elise and her mom's life in Saigon. It was truly a special experience. "

"My cooking class experience with Elise and her mom was a delightful immersion into Vietnamese cuisine, filled with warmth, delicious flavors, and the joyful presence of their dog, Nou. It all started at the market, where Elise shared insights into the local foods and traditions of Vietnam. This wasn’t just any market visit; it was an engaging introduction to the ingredients that would later transform into our meal. In the comfort of Elise’s home kitchen, her mom took the lead, showing us how to prepare three traditional Vietnamese dishes. Her expertise and welcoming approach made the cooking process both educational and enjoyable. Each dish came together like a piece of art, simple yet wonderfully authentic. The aromas that filled the kitchen and the stories exchanged over the stove made the afternoon special. Adding to the charm was Nou, the playful and intelligent family dog. Her cheerful presence and our instant bond brought an extra layer of joy to the experience. Sitting down to eat the dishes we prepared, I felt a sense of accomplishment and connection, not just to the food, but to the culture, traditions, and the lovely companions, human and canine alike. I’m grateful for this lovely Friday afternoon spent with Elise, her mom, and of course, Nou. It was more than just a cooking class; it was a warm and inviting glimpse into the heart of Vietnamese cooking, enriched by the company of wonderful hosts and a delightful four-legged friend. Thank you, Elise, your mom, and Nou, for a memorable experience and for the delicious tastes that I will surely remember."

"We absolutely loved our cooking class with Elise. She was knowledgable, fun, and we tried so many new and different Vietnamese snacks, fruits, and dishes. Thanks for a wonderful local experience!"

"Though our trip is only halfway over, we can say this cooking lesson was the highlight of our vacation. We knew the concept was going to be unique and exciting. However, when we met Elise and her mom, they blew our expectations out of the water. The tour started with an introduction to Vietnamese food while shopping at a local grocery store. We learned the difference between northern and southern tastes and were introduced to new spices, produce, treats, and grains we had never heard of, all while shopping for food like a local. Then we went to Elise and her mom's home; we were welcomed like old friends. It was educational, delicious, and filled with laughter the entire time. We hung out in the kitchen, making Vietnamese cakes and learning the intricate process. (Though they made it look as simple as walking). Finally, we ate dinner, which was the best of our trip! Much like eating at my mom's house: she loaded our plates with food, even though we couldn't stuff anything else in our faces. Haha. We left so FULL! Elise and her mom were engaging, charming, and funny! Thanks for inviting us into your home. We hope to be back soon one day!"

"Elise is a fabulous host! The tour started at a market where Elise showed us various items (produce, protein, spice, noodles, drinks, etc). She is so knowledgeable, and charming to boot! After the market we were welcomed into her home where her and her wonderful mother showed us how to make a mouth watering 3 course meal. We ate. We laughed. We shared stories. We learned a lot about Vietnamese cooking. If you are in Ho Chi Minh, do yourself a favor and sign up for Elise’s class!"