Private Market Visit & Cooking Class in Sundari's Chennai Home
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Discover the flavors of South India with Sundari in her Chennai home as you prepare traditional Tamil Brahmin vegetarian recipes using time-honored techniques. From crispy vadai and flavorful sambar to creamy payasam and filter coffee, you'll cook, dine, and connect over recipes that have been passed down through generations. After cooking together, share a delicious homemade meal served on banana leaves while learning about local customs and everyday life.
Inclusions
What's included
- Private South Indian vegetarian cooking class in a local home
- Authentic home-cooked meal served on banana leaves
- Optional: Guided tour of a neighborhood supermarket
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 544
- 40
- 30
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- 11
Ratings come from 45 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5A wonderful cooking experience in Chennai
Sundari’s cooking session in her home was wonderful - we reached out directly, and she was very accommodating, providing helpful and clear instructions on how to get there and what to expect. When we arrived, Sundari gave everyone a lovely welcome into her home and introduced herself, before taking us through to the kitchen. Sundari has such a genuine and warm personality — her love for cooking truly shines through, and the meals we made were absolutely delicious. It took about 2 1/2 hours for the 3 dishes we made (including eating time), and it didn’t feel hurried or rushed. You can elect to make more courses, but we were on a tighter timeframe. Sundari was clear throughout, and was happy to answer any questions, and also provided very clear written recipe instructions to take home, so we could recreate our dishes another time. A wonderful and authentic experience, with a wonderful host, with delicious food at the end. What more could you want? Thank you Sundari!
5Absolute 10/10 experience—a must-do for any food lover!
If you are on the fence about booking this class, just do it. From the moment you step in, Sundari welcomes you with so much warmth, kindness, and genuine hospitality that it feels less like a formal class and more like cooking in the kitchen of a dear friend. What makes this experience truly special is how personalized it is. Being able to choose the dishes means you actually learn to make the exact flavors you love—whether you prefer rich, comforting curries, fresh regional specialties, or crisp breads. Sundari's instruction is hands-on, clear, and paced so well that even a complete beginner feels confident. Beyond just the recipes, the real magic is in the storytelling and tradition. Sundari didn't just teach us how to mix spices or time a tadka (tempering); she shared the history, regional roots, and cultural stories behind every ingredient. You walk away understanding why things are done a certain way, not just blindly following steps. To top it all off, sitting down at the end to feast on everything we created together was unforgettable. And leaving with a full, detailed set of recipes means the magic doesn't end when the class does—I have already recreated the dishes at home, and my kitchen smells just like the real deal. Thank you, Sundari, for an incredible, soulful, and delicious experience. I cannot recommend this enough!
5Sundari made my whole trip!😍
We had such a wonderful cooking class with Sundari in Chennai! She was incredibly kind, welcoming, and such a great teacher. She was especially wonderful with my 9-year-old and made the whole experience so much fun. And the food was SOOOO delicious!! 😍 My favourite part was her making me feel at home and having nice conversations amongst the cooking🥰 I highly recommend Sundari to anyone looking for an authentic and memorable cooking experience in Chennai. We can’t wait to learn more from her in the future! ❤️
5Best cooking class with Sundari!
I had such a wonderful time with Sundari! The traditional dishes she taught me were absolutely delicious, and I learned so much throughout the experience. Sundari is a warm, charming, and caring person who went above and beyond to make sure I had a great time, even outside of the cooking lesson. If you’re looking for the best places to buy spices or other local products, just ask her—she’ll happily point you in the right direction. Having traveled to many countries, she brings a unique perspective and a wealth of life experience that truly enrich her cooking and teaching. Although Chennai is a long flight from Japan, I’d definitely come back to learn more of her amazing recipes. Thank you so much for such a memorable experience!
5We spend a lovly time.
Thank you so much. We spend a lovly time. We are so glad I was able to learn the basics of South Indian cuisine. I'll definitely come again!
5Exceptional flavors and instruction
We made 3 delicious dishes together (paneer butter masala, potato and cauliflower dry masala, and Dal/lentils). Sundari also prepared some drinks and naan to go with the meal. She is a great listener, gifted cook, and exceptional teacher. She asked for my menu preferences and developed a menu based on that. I requested to learn about spices, and she explained ratios, and the timing to add spices to maximize their flavor. Each recipe had exceptionally well balanced spice profiles that I just loved!! We also walked to a small grocer so that I could buy the spices we used to bring home. This was a great experience. A short ride (15 min) Uber from ITC Chola. I highly recommend!
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Meet your host Sundari at her home in the Adyar neighborhood of Chennai. Please check the 'Before you go' section on your voucher for the exact address, the above only offers neighbourhood details, and not the exact address. Exact address can be found in your ticket upon booking confirmation.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- Traveling Spoon
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Sundari serves only vegetarian food and the menu may vary depending on the season.
- She can accommodate vegan, lactose-free, and gluten-free diets. Please share any allergies or dietary preferences at the time of booking.
How it compares in Chennai
- Its from-price is 57% below the median of the 321 experiences we list in Chennai.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 21 of 321.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Chennai
Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu on the Bay of Bengal, a city of temples, classical music, a very long beach and a colonial fort.
Chennai, formerly Madras, grew from Fort St George, which the British East India Company built in 1644 on the Coromandel coast and which now houses the state government. The city is spread along the Bay of Bengal beside Marina Beach, one of the longest urban beaches in the world. San Thome Basilica stands near the shore, built over what is believed to be the tomb of St Thomas the Apostle.
Top-ranked sights in Chennai: Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), Fort St. George, Kapaleeshwarar Temple.
