Best Asian Cooking Courses Online: Master Authentic Asian Cuisine in 2025

Want to master wok cooking, make perfect sushi, or cook authentic Thai curry? We’ve tested 50+ online Asian cooking courses to find the best options for learning Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, and pan-Asian cuisines.

Last updated: November 2025 | Reading time: 10 minutes

Quick Comparison: Top 5 Asian Cooking Courses

Course	Best For	Price	Focus Cuisine	Our Rating
MasterClass – Niki Nakayama	Japanese haute cuisine	$180/year	Modern Japanese	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Udemy – Complete Asian Cooking	Budget variety	$24.99	Pan-Asian	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wok Skills 101	Wok technique mastery	$49 one-time	Chinese stir-fry	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
America’s Test Kitchen	Asian basics	$24.95/month	Multiple cuisines	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skillshare Asian Collection	Exploratory learning	$32/month	Various styles	⭐⭐⭐⭐

1. MasterClass – Niki Nakayama Teaches Modern Japanese Cooking

Best for: Advanced cooks wanting to learn kaiseki and modern Japanese techniques

Niki Nakayama runs n/naka, a 2-Michelin-star Japanese restaurant in Los Angeles. Her MasterClass teaches modern Japanese cooking with emphasis on seasonal ingredients, technique, and presentation.

What You’ll Learn:

Japanese knife techniques and precision
Seasonal ingredient selection (kaiseki philosophy)
Delicate cooking methods (steaming, poaching, grilling)
Japanese plating and presentation
Balance of flavors and textures

Pros:

Learn from a 2-Michelin-star chef
Beautiful cinematography showcasing techniques
Emphasis on precision and detail
Access to 150+ other MasterClass courses
Inspiring approach to Japanese cooking

Cons:

Advanced techniques may overwhelm beginners
Requires specialized Japanese ingredients
Annual subscription
More haute cuisine than home cooking

Price: $180/year (all-access)

Duration: 3.5 hours, 13 lessons

Our verdict: Perfect for experienced cooks wanting to elevate their Japanese cooking. Less suitable for everyday ramen and teriyaki.

[Check Current MasterClass Price]

2. Udemy – The Complete Asian Cooking Course

Best for: Beginners wanting variety across multiple Asian cuisines

This comprehensive course covers Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean basics. Chef Lin teaches fundamental techniques applicable across Asian cooking, from wok skills to rice preparation.

What You’ll Learn:

Wok cooking fundamentals (stir-fry, deep-fry)
Chinese classics (fried rice, dumplings, noodles)
Japanese basics (sushi rolls, teriyaki, miso)
Thai essentials (curry, pad thai, spring rolls)
Korean staples (bibimbap, bulgogi)

Pros:

One-time payment, lifetime access
Wide variety of cuisines
Beginner-friendly instruction
Downloadable recipes and shopping guides
30-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

Less depth per cuisine than specialized courses
Some authenticity sacrificed for accessibility
Video quality varies
Limited advanced techniques

Price: $24.99 (often $14.99)

Duration: 12 hours, 80+ lessons

Our verdict: Best value for exploring Asian cooking. Great introduction before specializing in specific cuisines.

[Check Current Udemy Price]

3. Wok Skills 101 – Master Chinese Stir-Fry

Best for: Anyone serious about learning proper wok technique

Taught by Chef Wang, who trained in professional Chinese kitchens. This specialized course focuses entirely on wok cooking—heat control, tossing techniques, and building wok hei (breath of the wok).

What You’ll Learn:

Proper wok selection and seasoning
Heat control for home stoves
Wok tossing and stirring techniques
Building wok hei flavor
Classic Chinese stir-fry dishes

Pros:

Focused entirely on wok mastery
One-time payment ($49)
Techniques work on home stoves
Detailed heat control instruction
Lifetime access

Cons:

Requires wok purchase ($30-80)
Very specialized (only stir-fry cooking)
Not suitable for complete beginners
Limited to Chinese cuisine

Price: $49 one-time

Duration: 5 hours, 30 lessons

Our verdict: Worth every penny if you want restaurant-quality stir-fry at home. The wok techniques alone justify the price.

[Try Wok Skills 101]

4. America’s Test Kitchen – Asian Cooking Essentials

Best for: Home cooks wanting foolproof Asian recipes with Western accessibility

ATK tests Asian recipes to work with Western ingredients and equipment. You’ll learn authentic flavors adapted for American grocery stores and home kitchens.

What You’ll Learn:

Asian cooking adapted for Western kitchens
Ingredient substitutions when specialty items unavailable
Equipment selection (what you actually need)
Foolproof recipe methods
Common Asian cooking mistakes avoided

Pros:

Recipes tested 30+ times for reliability
Works with grocery store ingredients
Equipment recommendations save money
Written + video instructions
Active Q&A community

Cons:

Monthly subscription
Some authenticity compromised for accessibility
Less technique-focused than specialized courses
American perspective on Asian cooking

Price: $24.95/month or $199.99/year

Duration: 15+ hours Asian content

Our verdict: Perfect for American home cooks wanting reliable Asian recipes without specialty shopping.

[Start ATK Free Trial]

5. Skillshare – Asian Cooking Collection

Best for: Explorers wanting to sample different Asian cuisines and teachers

Skillshare hosts dozens of Asian cooking classes from various instructors—some native to the cuisines they teach. You can explore Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indian, and Korean cooking to find what resonates.

What You’ll Learn:

Multiple Asian cuisines from different teachers
Various cooking styles and approaches
Specific dish mastery (ramen, dumplings, curry)
Ingredient knowledge and sourcing
Regional Asian specialties

Pros:

Huge variety of classes and cuisines
Multiple teaching styles
1-month free trial
New classes added regularly
Project-based learning with feedback

Cons:

Quality varies by instructor
Monthly subscription (no permanent access)
Can be overwhelming to choose
Some classes assume knowledge

Price: $32/month or $168/year

Duration: 100+ Asian cooking classes, 2-5 hours each

Our verdict: Great for exploring before committing to a specific cuisine. The variety helps you find your passion.

[Try Skillshare Free Trial]

Essential Asian Cooking Techniques

Wok Cooking:

High heat control: Getting wok screaming hot
Quick stirring: Constant motion prevents burning
Wok hei: “Breath of wok” – smoky, charred flavor
Velveting: Coating meat in cornstarch for tenderness

Rice Preparation:

Washing rice: Removing excess starch for fluffy rice
Water ratios: Different for jasmine, sushi, sticky rice
Soaking: When necessary for certain rice types
Resting: Letting rice steam after cooking

Knife Skills:

Julienne and matchsticks: Thin, even cuts for stir-fry
Bias cuts: Angled slicing for vegetables
Paper-thin slicing: For hot pot and shabu-shabu
Precise dicing: Uniform pieces for even cooking

Flavor Building:

Aromatics: Ginger, garlic, scallions, chilies
Layering: When to add ingredients for optimal flavor
Balance: Sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami
Finishing touches: Sesame oil, cilantro, lime

Asian Cuisines Covered in Good Courses

Chinese:

Styles: Cantonese, Sichuan, Hunan, Shanghai
Key dishes: Fried rice, dumplings, kung pao, mapo tofu
Techniques: Wok cooking, steaming, braising

Japanese:

Styles: Kaiseki, home cooking, izakaya
Key dishes: Sushi, ramen, tempura, teriyaki
Techniques: Precise knife work, delicate cooking, presentation

Thai:

Regions: Central, Northern, Southern, Northeastern
Key dishes: Curry, pad thai, som tam, tom yum
Techniques: Pounding curry pastes, balancing flavors

Vietnamese:

Key dishes: Pho, banh mi, spring rolls, bun
Techniques: Fresh herbs, rice paper, noodle soups

Korean:

Key dishes: Kimchi, bulgogi, bibimbap, Korean BBQ
Techniques: Fermentation, grilling, banchan preparation

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook authentic Asian food with grocery store ingredients?

Mostly yes! Core ingredients (soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic) are widely available. Some specialty items may require Asian grocery stores or online ordering. Good courses teach substitutions when needed.

Do I need a wok for Asian cooking?

Not required but helpful! A large skillet works for most stir-fries. If you cook Asian food weekly, invest in a carbon steel wok ($30-50). Courses teach techniques for both wok and skillet.

Which Asian cuisine is easiest to learn?

Thai: Forgiving flavors, accessible ingredients. Chinese stir-fry: Quick techniques, flexible recipes. Japanese home cooking: Simple preparations, quality ingredients. Korean: Bold flavors, straightforward methods.

Are these courses taught by native chefs?

Varies by course. MasterClass: Native Japanese chef. Wok Skills: Trained in Chinese kitchens. Udemy: May be Western chefs teaching Asian cuisine. Skillshare: Mix of native and trained chefs. Check instructor backgrounds.

How do I find authentic Asian ingredients?

Local Asian grocery stores: Best for fresh and specialty items. Online: Amazon, specialty importers ship nationwide. Substitutions: Courses teach when substitutions work. Start with available ingredients, upgrade later.

Can I learn sushi making online?

Yes! Video shows hand positioning, rice spreading, rolling technique. Practice is key—expect 10-20 rolls before getting good results. Specialized sushi courses provide detailed instruction.

Is Asian cooking healthy?

Can be! Emphasizes vegetables, lean proteins, steaming, and stir-frying. Watch sodium in sauces, oil in deep-frying. Good courses teach healthy preparation methods.

Our Final Recommendation

For modern Japanese mastery: MasterClass with Niki Nakayama ($180/year) teaches haute cuisine Japanese technique.

For variety and value: Udemy’s Complete Asian Course ($24.99) covers multiple cuisines for one payment.

For wok technique: Wok Skills 101 ($49) specializes in Chinese stir-fry mastery.

For reliable recipes: America’s Test Kitchen ($24.95/month) adapts Asian cooking for Western kitchens.

For exploration: Skillshare ($32/month) lets you sample multiple Asian cuisines and instructors.

Ready to Master Asian Cooking?

Asian cooking opens up a world of flavors, techniques, and ingredients. Choose a course matching your interests, stock your pantry with basics, and start cooking. In 2-3 months, you’ll be making restaurant-quality Asian food at home.

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