Distinctive Tastes of China
Master the art of crafting an authentic Chinese feast in this hands-on cooking class! With expert guidance, you'll gain the skills to bring traditional Chinese flavors into your home kitchen.
Start by preparing handmade wontons filled with a savory blend of pork and mushrooms. Next, you'll cook crispy Chinese chicken coated in a spicy, citrus-infused sauce - think the best parts of Orange Chicken and General Tso's Chicken, but better! - perfectly paired with stir-fried vegetables and fluffy steamed rice. To end on a sweet note, you'll make Ma Lai Gao, a soft and airy Chinese steamed sponge cake enriched with evaporated milk.
Feel free to bring wine or beer to sip on while you cook and enjoy your meal!
Menu
- Fried Wontons: With thin wontons, ground pork (or shrimp), garlic, shiitake mushrooms, green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
- Crispy Chinese Chicken: With chicken, soy sauce, peanut oil, sesame oil, oranges, whole dried chili, minced ginger, and garlic.
- Sizzling Stir-Fry Vegetables: With bok choy, carrots, mushrooms, ginger, and bell peppers.
- Rice
- Ma Lai Gao (Traditional Chinese Steamed Sponge Cake): With eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, evaporated milk, cake flour, and butter.
Please Note
Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if noted prior to the event. Please mention this in the message field when you submit your booking request as adjustments to recipes cannot be made during class.
Knowledge required
Beginner-friendly to advanced, all are welcome!
What's included
Chef-guided, hands-on instruction, all ingredients and equipment, and aprons. You'll cook and then sit down to enjoy the full menu: fried wontons, crispy citrus-chili chicken, sizzling stir-fry vegetables, steamed rice, and Ma Lai Gao sponge cake. You'll take home the recipes to make it all again.
What to bring
Just your appetite. We provide everything, and you're welcome to bring wine or beer to enjoy with your meal (BYOB).
Knowledge required
None. Beginner-friendly through advanced, everyone's welcome.
Suitable for
Adults of all skill levels. Great for date night, a get-together with friends, or meeting fellow food lovers. Kid-friendly too: ages 14+ are welcome with a participating adult, and younger with advance approval. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice.
Upcoming dates
Want a different date?
Pick a day to open Distinctive Tastes of China. You’ll be first, and it’s a group class others can join, so more people on one day means a fuller class. Or make a day private, just for your group.
- 7:00 PMprivate →
Looking for a private night for two? Our Date Night is made for couples.
Make it a Date Night →What guests are saying
“I had an amazing experience at Life Plus Pasta Making! The instructor was personable, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what he does. He shared how he developed these classes, and it was clear that his own curiosity and love of learning inspired the entire experience. He was incredibly patient with everyone, while still guiding us in a way that made sure we actually learned the techniques instead of just following directions. By the end of the class, we had made a meal that was absolutely delicious. It was hard to believe that something so good came from our own hands! I will 100% be taking another class. They offer such a wide variety of classes for different interests that I have a feeling I'll be coming back for quite a while. If you're thinking about trying one, don't hesitate—you'll leave with new skills, great food, and a memorable experience.”
Nicole Lockwoodvia Google“Absolutely amazing class. The owner is so knowledgeable and helpful. We learned so much. He is so patient and has a great sense of humor. What a great family, group, or work event.”
Marcie Gardnervia Google“My wife and I had an absolutely amazing time!! Mark is a great teacher, very skilled with great culture, this was a birthday gift I will never forget!! If you are looking for a good time and great experience Life Plus is where you need to be!!”
Cap Onevia Google“My colleagues and I had an incredible time at Life Plus LA! Marc led our team of 8 through the baking course. We spent 1.5 hours learning, socializing, laughing and enjoying our way through creating biscuits, fruit tarts and bundt cakes. Marc was so incredibly knowledgable, witty, and a pleasure to be around. After the baking was complete, Marc set us up in the cafe to enjoy our creations. We spent another 1.5 hours there. Finally, we packaged our leftovers and went on our way! I can't wait to try some of the other classes!”
Susana Melkonyanvia Google“My husband and I booked a Thai cooking class with Marc for date night and it was such a treat. The 5 star reviews are well deserved. We loved how thorough and knowledgeable Marc was about cooking and the food science. He makes sure to teach you not just how but also why, you’re doin something. Not to mention the food tasted amazing and we were so pleased with how everything turned out. Do not hesitate to book! 10/10 recommend :)”
Gabrielle Pretlowvia Google“Such a good time! Our class was the Vietnamese course and it was very well crafted and structured. We enjoyed learning how to handle spring rolls, flavor and plate pho, and make a delicious hearty crepe. My goal was to learn some techniques and I walked out with some new ones!”
Daniel Belmesvia Google