Red Bean is the premium hotel-chain cooking class in Hanoi, run by the La Siesta hotel group’s restaurant brand across three Old Quarter branches. Where most classes are group affairs, Red Bean sells tiered private pricing — from ~$52 per person for four down to ~$90 for a solo private session — and it’s the only mainstream class to explicitly teach cha ca, Hanoi’s legendary turmeric fish. Expect polished service, your own workstation, and a meal with local beer or wine.
Should You Book Red Bean?
Direct answer: Yes — book Red Bean if you want Hanoi’s most polished, premium cooking class and you’re specifically keen to learn cha ca, the city’s iconic turmeric fish dish. The tiered private pricing (cheaper per person with more guests) suits couples and small groups wanting an upscale experience, though budget travelers will find better value elsewhere.
We recommend Red Bean for special occasions and for La Siesta hotel guests (booking is seamless in-house). If you want premium technique without the hotel price tag, Hanoi Cooking Centre (~$60) is the alternative; for cha ca on a budget, learn it via Hidden Hanoi‘s customizable menu.
Check availability for Red Bean
Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll confirm the next open session for your dates.
Program & Schedule
Direct answer: Red Bean runs two sessions daily — 10:30–14:00 and 14:30–18:30, each 3.5–4 hours. Both include a market tour, hands-on cooking at your own workstation, and a sit-down meal of your dishes with local beer or wine, plus recipes and a small gift to take home.
- Market tour: guided ingredient walk before cooking.
- Cooking: your own workstation in the restaurant kitchen.
- Meal: eat your dishes with local beer/wine; receive recipes + gift.
Full prepayment is required, with free cancellation up to 3 days before — stricter than most competitors, so commit only when your plans are firm.
Dishes You’ll Cook
Direct answer: Red Bean’s signature dish is cha ca — turmeric-marinated fish sizzled with dill, Hanoi’s most storied recipe — taught explicitly here and rarely elsewhere. Menus are premium-plated and vary; expect refined versions of Hanoi classics rather than street-style cooking.
- Cha ca: the headline dish — turmeric fish with dill and shrimp paste, Hanoi’s legend.
- Premium Hanoi classics: seasonal menu; expect elevated presentations of familiar dishes.
Exact menus rotate — confirm the day’s dishes when booking.
Price & How to Book
Direct answer: Red Bean uses tiered private pricing in VND: 2,375,000 (~$90) for a private 1-person class, 1,625,000 (~$62) per person for 2, and 1,375,000 (~$52) per person for 4; children under 12 are 375,000 (~$14). The per-person price drops as your group grows — bring friends.
| Group | Price / person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person (private) | ~$90 (VND 2,375,000) | Fully private session |
| 2 people | ~$62 (VND 1,625,000) | |
| 4 people | ~$52 (VND 1,375,000) | Best per-person value |
| Child under 12 | ~$14 (VND 375,000) |
Book direct via mamay.redbeanrestaurants.com/cooking-class, email, or phone (+84 24 3926 3641); La Siesta hotel guests can book at reception. Full prepayment; free cancellation up to 3 days before. VND prices converted at ~26,200 VND/USD — verify live rates.
Reviews: What Guests Say
Direct answer: Red Bean’s restaurants hold elite ratings — 4.9 from 3,724 TripAdvisor reviews and 4.8 from 5,225 RestaurantGuru reviews — though these cover the restaurants, not the cooking class specifically; class-specific review counts were not available in our research. Guests praise the professional service and beautiful plating; the price is the obvious trade-off.
What guests love:
- Hotel-grade service and spotless facilities
- Own workstation — no crowding
- Cha ca taught properly, a genuine rarity
- Beer/wine with the meal and a gift included
Minor complaints:
- Most expensive per-person option in Hanoi for small groups
- Strict prepayment + 3-day cancellation terms
- Less “local life” feel than market-villa classes
Sources: mamay.redbeanrestaurants.com/cooking-class (official prices); TripAdvisor restaurant page (4.9/3,724 — restaurant, not class); RestaurantGuru (4.8/5,225). Class-specific review count:. Accessed October 2026.
Who Is This Class Best For?
Direct answer: Red Bean is best for couples, honeymooners, and small groups celebrating something — or La Siesta guests who want a seamless in-house booking. It’s also the pick for cha ca obsessives. It’s less suited to budget travelers and backpackers.
- Perfect for: special occasions, cha ca lovers, hotel guests, travelers who value polish over price.
- Skip if: you’re price-sensitive (see Apron Up at $32) or want a home kitchen (see Chef Duyen).
Practical Information
Direct answer: Red Bean runs at three Old Quarter branches — Classic at 94 Ma May, Trendy at 12 Nguyen Quang Bich, and Central at 1 Cau Go; confirm which hosts your session. Classes are in English, run 10:30–14:00 or 14:30–18:30, and hotel pickup was not stated — plan your own transport.
- Branches: 94 Ma May · 12 Nguyen Quang Bich · 1 Cau Go (Hoan Kiem, Hanoi)
- Sessions: 10:30–14:00 or 14:30–18:30 (3.5–4h)
- Pickup: not stated
- Language: English
- Vegetarian options:
- Payment/cancellation: full prepayment; free cancellation up to 3 days before
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Red Bean worth it?
Yes, for a premium occasion. It’s the only mainstream Hanoi class explicitly teaching cha ca, with hotel-grade service and your own workstation. At $52–90 per person it’s the priciest option — worth it for the experience, not for budget travel.
What is cha ca and why learn it here?
Cha ca is Hanoi’s legendary turmeric-marinated fish, sizzled tableside with dill — a 100+ year-old recipe. Red Bean is the only major cooking class we found that teaches it explicitly.
How much does it cost for 2 people?
VND 1,625,000 per person (~$62) — the 2-person tier. Four people drops it to ~$52 each; a solo private class is ~$90.
Which branch hosts the class?
Red Bean has three branches (94 Ma May, 12 Nguyen Quang Bich, 1 Cau Go). Confirm your session’s branch when booking.
Is hotel pickup included?
Not stated in our research — plan your own transport and confirm with the restaurant.
Can children join?
Yes — children under 12 are VND 375,000 (~$14).
What is the cancellation policy?
Full prepayment is required, with free cancellation up to 3 days before the class.
Want to master cha ca?
Message us on WhatsApp for Red Bean availability — the only premium cha ca class in Hanoi.