Review Author: christina

Review Date: 13 Jul 2023

Review Body: This is the second time I've taken a cooking class in Bali, the first time with a different (but similar) company/farm. My group at Taman Dukuh Bali Farm Cooking School was way bigger with 11 people, but the experience felt small. There were enough teachers and guides that you felt like you had personal attention, and everyone complimented each other well. The day is divided into three parts - local market tour, organic farm tour with scenic vista, and cooking and eating. The market tour is of a super local market where you can sample a variety of local fruits (mangosteen, snake fruit, etc.) and learn and smell the different herbs and spices used in Balinese cooking. The tour of the farm showcases the vegetables that will be used in the dishes you'll cook. You pick the vegetables right there! Other parts of the farm are also introduced, including a nice vista across a valley. The cooking portion is very hands-on. While you don't necessarily breakdown every ingredient and wash them as the staff does that prep work, you do get to practice your slicing, dicing, and mincing skills as well as the actual stove cooking. Each couple works together to prepare a meal of three appetizers and three entrees. The group prepares the dessert together. You prepare the apps, and eat those dishes; then prepare the entrees, and eat those; and end with dessert - a nice touch to not have to prepare and cook everything to finally eat at the end. Hopefully, at least one person in the overall group opts for the vegetarian option, because that is a treat as well! The meat option is chicken. Pick and drop off at the meeting point in Ubud was relatively easy. I would suggest to list the name of the cooking school "Taman Dukuh" prominently in this activity posting, in the email confirmation, and on the shuttle van as asking around for a generic sounding Bali Farm Cooking School doesn't help. A number of us almost got on the wrong van because of this. Apparently, there are morning and afternoon sessions of this tour, and I did the morning one - making a nice lunch. We returned to Ubud around 3pm. The farm has great open-air pavilions (so you don't necessarily need sunscreen, but you do still need bug repellent). There are clean enclosed toilet rooms, and plenty of sinks to keep your hands clean. Communication before the tour via WeChat was very responsive. They'll answer any questions/concerns you have and make sure you have a great time. The whole atmosphere is relaxing and approachable. While we ended the day feeling like accomplished chefs, we never felt busy or rushed. I highly recommend including a hands-on Balinese cooking experience to your itinerary, and the one at Taman Dukuh was thoroughly enjoyable and a memorable highlight of our trip to Bali.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Louise Telford

Review Date: 30 Jul 2025

Review Body: Trip advisors Impressive cooking class! The cooking class was punctual, well organised and provided good insights into Indonesian cooking including ingredients and techniques. The facilities were also excellent. We left the meeting point by minibus punctually and first visited a local market. Our tour guide led us through the market explaining what different foods were, what dishes they are used in and how to prepare them. They also used the visit as an opportunity to buy a range of breakfast items for everyone - these will vary on the day based on what’s available or in-season. We enjoyed prunes, mango and local pastries. The cookery school is on a farm 25 mins drive from the collection point. The setup is a large open plan and open sided barn with tables along the edge to dine and then two further rows of tables to prepare food or cook. It worked well and felt modern. The school provide you with a recipe booklet to take away which includes what you prepare on the day. After taking some time to enjoy breakfast we split into groups (veggie / non veggie) and started cooking. We cooked in two sessions: the first to prepare the starters; the second to prepare the main and dessert; we ate the starters before cooking the main. Each time the chef showed and described what to do and we then copied. There were 3 chefs across the whole group to guide us who were constantly on hand checking and guiding progress. The food was delicious, the recipes easy to follow and we had a great time.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sarah

Review Date: 08 Oct 2026

Review Body: If you are looking for a genuine opportunity to connect with kind and knowledgeable locals, I cannot recommend this experience highly enough. We spent a magical evening with Deren, learning about Balinese nature, farming, cooking, ceremonies, rituals and daily living. The evening began when Deren picked us up from central Ubud and drove us out of town to the farm. We began our visit with a welcome drink and fruit, before being given a tour of the crops and gardens. After the tour we ate the best meal we’ve had in Bali so far, with both meat eaters and vegetarians catered for. Next, Deren drove us to a local village where we were welcomed into a family compound. Deren explained that the revenue from the experience is shared with the families whose homes we visited. He spent plenty of time describing how village life works and explaining the structure and architecture of the compound. By this point we’d already had such a great time that seeing the fireflies felt like an added bonus. To finish the trip, we sat together in the dark watching fireflies over the rice fields - a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us. Thank you Deren and friends for a beautiful evening that we’ll always remember! It was a privilege to be welcomed into a different side of Balinese life.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jia Lin Foo

Review Date: 17 May 2023

Review Body: This firefly experience was one of a kind — I didn't know what to expect because I've never seen fireflies before but it was really magical! We started off the experience with a trip to the north of Ubud to Bali Farm Cooking School's farm and it was so cooling because it's 1300m above sea level! We were brought around their organic farm and it was really cool to see how they grow their crops. The cinnamon smelled so good! We then had a lovely dinner (with ingredients from their farm of course), and it was so yummy!!! This was our favourite part of the experience aside from seeing the fireflies! While waiting for it to be dark enough, we went to the nearby village and learnt about the Balinese way of life. And the highlight — walking through the rice fields and seeing the fireflies come out at night. We actually saw so many of them and some of them were also really close to us. It was dark, and quiet, and seeing these little lights across the rice fields was truly a magical experience :') Tip: Book this trip when it's not the full moon (if it's too bright, it'll be hard to see the fireflies)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Beverly

Review Date: 05 Apr 2024

Review Body: The cooking school is set in the heart of the jungle, and beautifully presented. Around a 40 minute drive from Ubud centre in a comfortable air conditioned mnibus bought us to the bamboo and wood structures which comprise the school. Buda our cooking teacher was very knowledgeable and patient with us. He explained everything well and we never felt like we were rushed or there was a timetable. We had time to eat each course as we prepared it. Water, coffee and herbal tea was provided as well as mosquito spray, although we weren't bothered by flies or mosquitoes. the gardens were well tended and the open buildings exceptionally clean and hygenic, even the toilets. There were plenty of staff there and they carried out their various duties efficiently and everyone was friendly. Plates and saucepans were magically whisked away to be cleaned and new pans appeared full of fresh ingredients. WE even got a short video of our day and recipe pamphlets so we can try the delicious recipes at home. Highly recommended.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: YY

Review Date: 16 Dec 2024

Review Body: It was raining on the day of our activity, so the host contacted us beforehand to tell us that we might not see the fireflies, and asked if we wanted to change to another day. We went ahead anyway since we couldn’t make it on other days, but really appreciated the host for giving us that option. Lots of narrow, winding roads to get to the farm! The farm tour was informative, and the dinner was pretty good. But the best part for me was actually visiting the host’s house where he explained the culture and traditions behind the layout of the houses in this village. It was really interesting! It was still drizzling when we went to the rice paddies after that, but we managed to see some fireflies after all! At the end, the host even gave us water, snacks and a picture of fireflies hand drawn by students from the village. What a lovely touch. Throughout the activity, the host was very friendly and humorous, and took good care of us. Enjoyable evening!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Stella

Review Date: 10 Sep 2024

Review Body: The cooking class was absolutely amazing! First, we went to a market and learnt a lot about the local fruits and vegetables. They divided us into small groups with one guide each, so that it was easy to understand what was being said and to ask questions. Afterwards, we got a tour of the farm where we picked our own vegetables and took some pictures. The cooking and eating took place in a big, open pavillon. The atmosphere was calm and friendly and the cooking instructors where very nice and helpful. Everything was extremely well organized and the food was great. They also gave us advice on how to cook these meals at home and what kind of ingredients we could use as substitutes in case we couldn't find them in our local supermarkets. In the end, we got a booklet with all the recipes and they had even edited a video of our class and send it to us for free.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Melissa

Review Date: 22 Jul 2023

Review Body: Really loved our experience with Bali Farm Cooking school this past July! Went with my sister and mother & we had such a good time! Really appreciate how well organized the session was; it’s very clearly explained in the description and you really get to do everything mentioned! The instructors brought us to the local market in the morning (really nice experience) and then to the organic farm after that. During the cooking, all of the ingredients and materials were readily available and the steps were easy to follow. It was also really delicious - still thinking about the tempe now! You can tell the company has honed and perfected the experience based on feedback & they really go above and beyond to make it worthwhile for every participant. Thank you for a wonderful time!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Eva

Review Date: 19 May 2024

Review Body: I know the fireflies are the main focus of the program, but first of all I have to say the dinner is the best Balinese food I have bad in Bali so far and I have been here for two weeks until now! It really was an amazing experience from the family staff showing us the farmland, introducing to us the different types of fruits and plants (and letting us try some of them!), to the amazing dinner, showing us their village and family home, to the last but not least fireflies watching while educating us on how the ‘LED lights’ on them actually work, with very delicious snacks and water while it was raining. Thank you so much again and now I am considering to come back for a cooking class :)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Marney

Review Date: 03 Jan 2026

Review Body: What a magical experience! Wayan and Monica were fabulous, passionate about what they do and so knowledgable. Despite visiting Bali many times the market visit was culturally immersive and enlightening, and the purchase of fruits and cakes to share with coffee, a lovely way to start the day. The farm tour and the opportunity to collect our own organically grown vegetables was amazing and the cooking class itself was run so smoothly and professionally yet also deeply personal. My daughter and I were joined by 2 other wonderful women that really made the day when sharing our meal together in this spectacular and serene setting. Could not recommend more highly and will be doing it again!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Stephanie Dumontier

Review Date: 01 Oct 2025

Review Body: More than just a cooking class—it’s a chance to dive deep into the culture, learn from the experts, and enjoy an unforgettable day! The morning tour to the local market was a highlight. We walked through the garden, learnt about local growing and farming techniques, and had the chance to pick our own ingredients. The sheltered outdoor cooking space was stunning and so peaceful. The staff were not only skilled but also incredibly engaging and funny, making the entire class fun and interactive. As a beautiful bonus, they put together a video of our group throughout the day. It was such a thoughtful touch, allowing us to relive the memories we made.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Alix

Review Date: 06 Mar 2026

Review Body: What a delightful way to spend the morning! We tasted fruit at the market and were introduced to all the aromatics needed for the curry paste we made later. Then when we got to the farm we saw a myriad of exotic plants, spices, vegetables and fruits, picking what we needed for the cooking class. The class itself was well run, easy to follow instructions and a lot was prepped for us. Of course everything was cleaned up after us as well. The food we cooked was so delicious, and generous! We had 2 entrees, 3 mains and a dessert. We certainly left well fed and very happy. I loved the experience and it was great value for money and time.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Allan

Review Date: 25 Feb 2025

Review Body: I had the most incredible time in this cooking class! From the moment we started our journey at the local market, selecting the freshest ingredients, to cooking authentic Indonesian dishes on their beautiful organic farm, the entire experience was unforgettable. The setting is stunning—surrounded by lush greenery, you genuinely feel connected to nature while learning about traditional Balinese flavours. The instructors were knowledgeable, warm and welcoming, making the class fun and educational. Every dish we made was packed with flavour, and the best part? We got to enjoy our homemade feast in the most peaceful setting.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jared

Review Date: 08 Oct 2024

Review Body: My wife and I booked this last minute during our trip & we were so thankful we did. We were delayed in transit into Ubud, so we missed our transfer to the event. We communicated via WhatsApp to organise us arriving late and we really appreciated all the effort in still allowing us to attend. We didn’t expect all of the history and local knowledge that was offered during the evening & left with more insight into the local community and Bali’s food culture. It truely felt like contributing to a small local business which was something we were missing on our trip to Bali. Please support this event, we hope it continues.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: J. Bosma

Review Date: 13 Nov 2023

Review Body: Very nice experience! We did the morning session which includes a visit to the market. The people from the cooking school are very friendly and they know everything about traditional food and cooking. Communication is easy in English. The farm is wonderful and it was really fun to collect your own ingredients from the garden while our guide explained about the food and herbs. Also the preparing and cooking process is very interesting and fun to do! The kitchen area is well equipped and organized. And it’s very gratifying to eat the food you just prepared yourself: it tasted delicious! Overall a great experience.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jess

Review Date: 08 Sep 2026

Review Body: This was a great tour - I went on the morning class which included a short walk around the local market. We got to try some of the local fruit that was in season, with the snake fruit being my favourite! The guides/instructors (Gea and Monica) were friendly, insightful and had a fantastic sense of humour. I felt informed about Balinese cuisine and felt able to cook in the class. Unfortunately, I had a headache during the class and I didn’t feel like I was able to devour what I cooked as much as I would have liked to. But I am grateful to have the recipe book to take home.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Durga

Review Date: 17 Dec 2023

Review Body: This whole experience is a must try for anyone! We were a family of seven, with a 10 year old and a 13 year old. Started the day with the market tour: we tried some new fruits (all so juicy and sweet) and Balinese kuehs (bought a whole bag of goodies to bring home). Then at the farm, we saw and learnt about so many different plants and vegetables before we picked our vegetables to cook with. Very hands on cooking experience. Patient and friendly staff that make the experience so engaging, enjoyable and easy enough for kids to follow and learn. We loved it all!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Grace

Review Date: 13 Apr 2026

Review Body: This was an awesome tour! The hosts were very gracious and welcoming (and had a great sense of humor). The tour of the garden included tasting cocoa beans right off the tree and we learned about all the unidentifiable fruits we saw the previous night at the night market. Dinner was delightful, but a real highlight was seeing a traditional Bali communal home and learning about their traditions. We saw lots of fireflies in the rice paddies. We highly recommend this tour and are planning to go back to do their cooking lesson.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Bruna Duarte

Review Date: 16 Sep 2024

Review Body: My boyfriend friend had an incredible experience at the Balinese Village. We started with a tour around the farm where they explained the plantation, showed us a few trees that I’ve never seen before (cinnamon, coffees cacau, vanilla…). Then we had a delicious dinner with everything fresh. After dinner they showed us more about their culture e how they live (it was a massive highlight for me) and finalised the tour walking around the rice paddies to see the fireflies (it was soo beautiful). I can’t wait to came back!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Angela

Review Date: 16 Jan 2025

Review Body: I loved absolutely everything about our tour and cooking class with Taman Dukuh Bali Farm and our amazing guide Fira. From the colourful morning tour of the local market to the organic farm tour and delicious cooking class. I can't speak highly enough about this tour and would recommend it to anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the delicious tastes and aromas of traditional Balinese dishes in a tranquil setting with wonderfully warm Balinese hospitality. It's been a highlight of my trip to Ubud. Thank you.

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Vegetarian option available, Market Tours, Farm Tours, & Fully Hands-on Cooking Class

Itinerary Description: Between 07.30 to 8.00 am Pak Tut Taro or Agus will come to pick you up from our designated meeting point in Ubud (Dalem Puri Central Parking on Jalan Sukma, right Across of Sens Hotel). A VISIT TO THE LOCAL FARMER MARKET (morning class only) (tour length around 30-40 minutes) We will bring you to Tegallalang traditional market or Pujung traditional market which is a traditional local market just on the way to the farm. The tour will introduce you to the market and the numerous items it has to offer, such as root spices, fruits and vegetables, cakes, and ceremonial items. Furthermore you can try some fruits and cakes as a light breakfast before heading to the farm. You will have enough time to walk around the market and take the pictures of local selling and buying activities. After about 10-20 minutes driving from the market through countryside, villages and lush green environment, you will than arrive at the organic farm. Get your basket and knife (also your camera) ready to go for the walk around the farm! You will walk around the farm to lean about Bali tropical plants, fruits and herbs use as medicinal purposes, the guides will explain all about the ingredients grown, how to harvest them and show you how they actually grow on the ground. You will also be introduced to how organic pesticides are made using ingredients from the kitchen. Along the farm walk you will also harvest some of the ingredients used for cooking later that day. After finishing the farm tour you will have some Balinese coffee or herb tea. This tour is around 30-40 minutes in length PREPARING AND COOKING YOUR MEAL Every two participants are assigned in one cooking station! The main activity of cooking will take place at a wooden or bamboo building surrounded by vegetables and root spices. Before you start the cooking process, first you will get an explanation about the famous Base Gede and its ingredients, the basic spice paste for most Balinese dishes to be cooked later. After the explanation the cooking will start, everyone get ready by putting the apron on! ENJOY EATING & COOKING Time to Enjoy the meals, Eat together with your friends of the cooking class on the day. While enjoying the food, feel free to ask any question about cooking and also local life in the villages! The “cooking – eating – cooking – eating" style is used here, to make sure you can enjoy the food while it's fresh, the cooking session is split into 2 or 3 sessions.