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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Liem

Boston, MA, United States

USD
$82-$165 per person

Authentic Vietnamese Cooking Class in Boston

Host offerings
  • Apartment
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Round-Trip Transfers
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food Tour

Meet Liem

Liem is passionate about food, culture, and Vietnamese history, and loves welcoming travelers into his world through cooking classes and Asian food tours in both Boston and Vietnam. After a career in the corporate world, he now dedicates his time to sharing his heritage through food, storytelling, and cultural exchange. Liem believes every dish tells a story, from its origins to the way it has evolved over time, and he brings that perspective to every experience he hosts. He also teaches English to children in Vietnam, a reflection of his deep commitment to connection and community. Liem lives with his husband, Tom, in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, just a 15-minute walk from the Ashmont T stop on the Red Line. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, he is passionate about creating a welcoming space where travelers can connect over food, culture, and meaningful conversation.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Join your host Liem at his home in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood for a private and authentic Vietnamese cooking class and cultural experience. Learn to prepare a traditional meal from scratch, including banana blossom salad, crispy eggrolls, and classic phở noodle soup, while mastering essential Vietnamese cooking techniques such as balancing sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors.

As you cook, discover the history and stories behind each dish and how Vietnamese cuisine has evolved over time. Afterward, sit down together to enjoy the meal over conversation, paired with wine or beer. On select days, Liem’s husband Tom may join, adding to the welcoming, social atmosphere.

This Boston cooking class can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, and gluten-free diets - please inform in advance.

Market visit: (1-5 guests) Meet your host Liem at Truong Thinh - a local Vietnamese supermarket in Dorchester for an authentic cultural introduction to Vietnamese ingredients and food traditions. During this 30-minute market tour, explore the fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, noodles, sauces, and pantry staples commonly used in Vietnamese cooking while learning how these ingredients are used in everyday home-cooked meals.

After the supermarket visit, return with Liem by car to his nearby condo for your private Boston cooking class, where you will prepare and enjoy traditional Vietnamese dishes together in a real home setting. This immersive experience offers travelers a unique opportunity to discover Vietnamese food culture in Boston beyond the typical restaurant experience.

Languages spoken: English, Vietnamese

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Banana Blossom Salad - fresh herbs, lime, and a light, tangy dressing
  • Crispy Vietnamese Eggrolls (Chả Giò) - served with dipping sauce
  • Phở - traditional Vietnamese noodle soup with aromatic broth
  • Traditional Vietnamese noodle soup from Northern (Ha Noi), Central (Hue, Da Nang) or Southern Vietnam (Mekong)
  • Wine or beer. Crafted cocktails are served upon request

Traveler reviews

5.0 (2)
We had the most amazing evening learning all things Vietnamese cuisine and culture! We started off at the local Vietnamese Market for a tour from Liem. He showed us all of the special ingredients he would be using in our menu for the evening. Learning about all the herbs was a highlight. From there we headed off to the main event; multi course meal specially curated by Liem after discussing my boyfriend and I's interest and adventure level. As adventurous eaters, Liem tailored a multi course menu for us! Liem's husband Tom also spent the evening with us. They created such a welcoming environment. We felt like we were spending the evening with good friends, not just meeting for the first time! The meal was a combination of interactive and educational by helping prepare some of the dishes, and also learning about the preparation process, ingredients, stories and culture. As a Boston resident of over 5 years, this is a highlight of our time here. We can't thank Liem and Tom enough for providing such a wonderful and unforgettable experience and cannot reccomend this enough! We could not decide on a favorite dish as they were all outstanding and unique. If you are looking for something truly unique and special, we highly recommend the market tour + cooking experience. Thank you Liem and Tom!
- brittany October 12, 2026
My friend and I had a great time going over the culture, cooking tips and getting to know our hosts Liam and Tom. We ended up staying from 11:30am - 2pm so expect to be there for awhile. Liam and Tom make sure that you and your guest(s) feel comfortable and create a welcoming atmosphere for anyone. Since we are their first clients there wasn’t much of a crowd, however I would say it’s a good space for a couple or 2-4 friends as of this review. Overall it was a great experience and am excited to see how Liam and Tom will expand on their class and will watch it grow into something even greater. Side note: be sure after you email and sign up for the class that you take the opportunity to speak with Liam and get an idea of what to expect, how to dress, etc…
- Diego D August 03, 2026

Liem

$82-$165 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $148 $99 $82
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $165 $109 $91
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $148 $99 $82
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $165 $109 $91
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:30am-2:30pm 6:00pm-9:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-1:00pm 5:00pm-9:00pm

Meet Liem

Liem is passionate about food, culture, and Vietnamese history, and loves welcoming travelers into his world through cooking classes and Asian food tours in both Boston and Vietnam. After a career in the corporate world, he now dedicates his time to sharing his heritage through food, storytelling, and cultural exchange. Liem believes every dish tells a story, from its origins to the way it has evolved over time, and he brings that perspective to every experience he hosts. He also teaches English to children in Vietnam, a reflection of his deep commitment to connection and community. Liem lives with his husband, Tom, in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, just a 15-minute walk from the Ashmont T stop on the Red Line. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, he is passionate about creating a welcoming space where travelers can connect over food, culture, and meaningful conversation.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Join your host Liem at his home in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood for a private and authentic Vietnamese cooking class and cultural experience. Learn to prepare a traditional meal from scratch, including banana blossom salad, crispy eggrolls, and classic phở noodle soup, while mastering essential Vietnamese cooking techniques such as balancing sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors.

As you cook, discover the history and stories behind each dish and how Vietnamese cuisine has evolved over time. Afterward, sit down together to enjoy the meal over conversation, paired with wine or beer. On select days, Liem’s husband Tom may join, adding to the welcoming, social atmosphere.

This Boston cooking class can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, and gluten-free diets - please inform in advance.

Market visit: (1-5 guests) Meet your host Liem at Truong Thinh - a local Vietnamese supermarket in Dorchester for an authentic cultural introduction to Vietnamese ingredients and food traditions. During this 30-minute market tour, explore the fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, noodles, sauces, and pantry staples commonly used in Vietnamese cooking while learning how these ingredients are used in everyday home-cooked meals.

After the supermarket visit, return with Liem by car to his nearby condo for your private Boston cooking class, where you will prepare and enjoy traditional Vietnamese dishes together in a real home setting. This immersive experience offers travelers a unique opportunity to discover Vietnamese food culture in Boston beyond the typical restaurant experience.

Languages spoken: English, Vietnamese

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Banana Blossom Salad - fresh herbs, lime, and a light, tangy dressing
  • Crispy Vietnamese Eggrolls (Chả Giò) - served with dipping sauce
  • Phở - traditional Vietnamese noodle soup with aromatic broth
  • Traditional Vietnamese noodle soup from Northern (Ha Noi), Central (Hue, Da Nang) or Southern Vietnam (Mekong)
  • Wine or beer. Crafted cocktails are served upon request

Traveler reviews

5.0 (2)
We had the most amazing evening learning all things Vietnamese cuisine and culture! We started off at the local Vietnamese Market for a tour from Liem. He showed us all of the special ingredients he would be using in our menu for the evening. Learning about all the herbs was a highlight. From there we headed off to the main event; multi course meal specially curated by Liem after discussing my boyfriend and I's interest and adventure level. As adventurous eaters, Liem tailored a multi course menu for us! Liem's husband Tom also spent the evening with us. They created such a welcoming environment. We felt like we were spending the evening with good friends, not just meeting for the first time! The meal was a combination of interactive and educational by helping prepare some of the dishes, and also learning about the preparation process, ingredients, stories and culture. As a Boston resident of over 5 years, this is a highlight of our time here. We can't thank Liem and Tom enough for providing such a wonderful and unforgettable experience and cannot reccomend this enough! We could not decide on a favorite dish as they were all outstanding and unique. If you are looking for something truly unique and special, we highly recommend the market tour + cooking experience. Thank you Liem and Tom!
- brittany October 12, 2026
My friend and I had a great time going over the culture, cooking tips and getting to know our hosts Liam and Tom. We ended up staying from 11:30am - 2pm so expect to be there for awhile. Liam and Tom make sure that you and your guest(s) feel comfortable and create a welcoming atmosphere for anyone. Since we are their first clients there wasn’t much of a crowd, however I would say it’s a good space for a couple or 2-4 friends as of this review. Overall it was a great experience and am excited to see how Liam and Tom will expand on their class and will watch it grow into something even greater. Side note: be sure after you email and sign up for the class that you take the opportunity to speak with Liam and get an idea of what to expect, how to dress, etc…
- Diego D August 03, 2026
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $148 $99 $82
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $165 $109 $91
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $148 $99 $82
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $165 $109 $91
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:30am-2:30pm 6:00pm-9:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-1:00pm 5:00pm-9:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 24 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 24 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 24 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transfers are typically charged on a per car basis, not per person. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer round-trip transfers as an optional add-on. A driver collects you from your hotel or residence, takes you to the experience, and brings you back at the end. Pricing is quoted per car, not per person, so a group shares one fare. Your host's exact pickup instructions come with your confirmation details once the booking is accepted. A few hosts arrange transfers differently — a one-way ride, or a pickup from a central meeting point — and where that is the case their profile says so in place of the round-trip wording.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.