Last year around this time, I got wind of a Halloween-themed event taking place that provided an unconventional way for me to celebrate this festival of Western origins. It was making this –

Decorative Halloween-themed sushi!

Now I love eating sushi, but like most others who consume the Japanese dish, I had never attempted to make it before. This was just too cute an opportunity to pass up!

The sushi-making master who made these is certified in making these culinary treats and other decorative baked goods that, if you’re lucky, you just might get to see on display at her place when you take part in the class. I am still personally entranced by the little ballerina tutus made of icing that were there the last time I was!

When you sign up for the class, you’ll be treated to a glimpse of culinary artist Yuka’s elegant home and meticulously-curated kitchen. Everything you need has been carefully weighed and measured, and she even writes out the recipe and directions by hand, providing participants with the photocopies.

I know it doesn’t look like it but it’s all going to turn out fine.

The sushi-making class generally lasts about two hours, depending on how many individuals there are and how quickly they work. Decorative sushi chef Yuka is extremely accommodating and takes the time to come around to each and every person’s corner of the table to check on how you’re doing throughout the session.

Pro Tip: Many a time, I discovered that a very tiny miscalculation at the beginning will roll into a much bigger mistake later, so do your best to minimise the margin for error right from the start! But even if it looks like it’s not quite right, it really does turn out fine in the end…

Not bad for a first try right?

As they say about cooking and baking, it really is a marvelous feeling to create something out of some bare ingredients with your own two hands. If you’re interested to try it for yourself, there is an upcoming opportunity this Friday, Oct 22 to join the limited class for adults. And for the first time ever, Yuka is conducting a kid-friendly version of her Halloween sushi class on Oct 25 10.30am. This will be suitable for kids from 3 – 6 years old. Add her on WeChat at yukatanabeburkhardt or 130 7116 2962 to sign up!

KEEP READING: The Best Chinese Horrorween Costumes Inspired by Local Myths and Culture

Images: Yuka, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

Whether e-learning is going well for your family or not, the days continue to grow shorter until the inevitable Time That You Are Responsible For Your Children’s Happiness All Day Every Day, otherwise known as Lunar New Year school break. With kids being home and bound to screens for 2-4 weeks beforehand, you may feel more pressure to go out and do something, but within guidelines and well sanitized, of course. In case you don’t feel like sorting through WeChat groups and Dangping yourself, we collected all our ideas into a little calendar that allows you to not have to think about a blessed thing. And isn’t that really why we’re here — to be Beijing’s essential international family resource?

Mon Feb 8 – Go on a photography walk. 

This is a cool way to learn more about photography or have the kids make a travel vlog, and just get out of the house for some exercise! After lunch is the sweet spot weather-wise, and any camera will do! Teen writer Qin Luyao wrote up some truly wonderful spots for a great walk and photos of great views here, and they’re all close to good eats as well.

Tues Feb 9 – Sign up to be a Pen Pal with Best Buddies/SENIA-Beijing

If your child loves to write letters and wants to practice their typing, the Pen Pal program is great for connecting with children who would otherwise feel even more isolated. Any child aged 9 and older who wants to be Pen Pal Best Buddy for a child with special needs can sign up at the QR code on the flyer here. You just need to commit to communicating with your pal once a month through a secure communication platform that they will provide.

Wed Feb 10 – Make a fun bookmark

Our Maker’s Corner series is always inspiring, and this one from 2018 turns the perfect randomness lying around your house into adorable handmade bookmarks. The best part is that these can encourage your child to read a new book so they can use their creation, and even make more to give out as gifts!

Thurs Feb 11 – Walk all of Chaoyang Park

Maybe you’ve only done it accidentally when you mixed up a meeting place with friends, but Chaoyang Park is the perfect spot to tucker out those kids and get some amazing exercise in the meantime. It’s nice to pack a lunch and snacks, take a full day with scooters or bikes, and just walk until you want to stop and play, then keep walking until it’s time to go home. Even on a chilly day, the activity alone will get your blood pumping — and make for an easy bedtime!

Fri Feb 12 – Make a Sidewalk Sponge Brush

After such an active Thursday, take it easy Friday with a craft you start indoors then take to the streets! But wait, it also has no clean up time, my favorite kind of craft! Take a look at the how to here and send us photos of your child’s calligraphy creations.

Sat Feb 13 – Little Chef Cooking Class at East Hotel

How cute is this? Every Saturday in February, East Hotel will teach your kids how to make colorful Chinese dumplings from 2-3pm for just RMB 188, or a 3 class package is RMB 528/6 class package RMB 1,028 – excluding their special gingerbread house making in December.)

Sun Feb 14 – Host a Virtual Party, Just For Fun!

Invite your friends from your home country, friends you never get to see in Beijing, or your kids’ classroom for a fun virtual time with fairies, improv, magic, and a lot more. Peruse our list of virtual parties and book them for some much needed social time.

Mon Feb 15 – Let’s Go Ride a Bike!

In the winter? Are we crazy? Well, that might still be up for debate but cycling in the wintertime is actually the best time, says our longtime friend and contributor Anna Pellegrin-Hartley. It’s worth a look at her blog over here to learn why she thinks so, then plan your cycling route!

Tues Feb 16 – Have a Snow Day at The Place!

In honor of Beijing hosting the Winter Olympics, or just because it looks like a great time, The Place set up a large snow area in the center atrium. Here you can sled, slip, and throw snowballs at whatever willing adult you can trick to get in there with you!

Wed Feb 17 – Scoot at Tai Koo Li Before Indulging in Books From Page One

One nice thing about the wintertime is that fewer people just go hang at a mall, and Tai Koo Li is no exception. If your kids like to scoot on their scooters, the atrium is wide open and empty. Let them get out their energy before bringing them to the second floor of Page One bookstore and choosing an activity or story that makes them feel like they’re traveling even if they can’t leave Beijing.

Thurs Feb 18 – Bake a Cake, Why Don’t Ya?

By this point in your “vacation”, everyone will need a chill-out activity that results in some delicious treat indulging – so here we bring you Chef Lily Zhang from théATRE Tea and her birthday cake recipe. No birthday needed for this round of cakes and cupcakes — just a chance to let loose and have a good time together.

Our future is in our and our children’s hands.

Fri Feb 19 – Start Planning With Fridays For Future

Now that you’ve had some time out and about, and time to reflect as a family, it might be a good opportunity to talk to your kids about protecting the earth, and how your family can work together to combat climate change. Read our interview with teen climate activist Howie Ou and then review all the actions you can take on Fridays For Future’s website: www.fridaysforfuture.org

Sat Feb 20 – Create a family board game

You have lots of pieces from various board games; why not make up your own? It’s a great chance to see just how far your child’s imagination can soar when they are the ones who make up the rules. Then try to play and see how it works — together!

Sun Feb 21 – Test a recipe or two

Now use your newly found cooking skills to try some of these Chinese recipes for English speakers to make homemade chili soup, dumplings (of course), hot and sour soup, beef and noodle soup, stir fry, Wuhan noodles, and even more! A perfect way to spend unscheduled family time together while catching up on all the laundry you let loose during the break.

KEEP READING: Enter the Creative Writing Competition – Once Upon a Time

Photos: Pexels, East Hotel

One of my favorite things to do is date night with my husband, but our date nights are a little different than the conventional candle lit dinner. We like to get our hands dirty with classes and quick weekend trips away.

Hatsune’s sushi making class is one of those unconventional date night ideas that’s delicious and fun. Sushi is one of those things that’s easy to make, but difficult to perfect. Sitting across from Wang Meng and Wang Xiao Man, I kept on asking myself one question – why haven’t I taken this class sooner? It’ so much fun!

Arts and crafts aren’t just for kids. Sticking your hands in the rice and creating your own signature sushi roll brings out the child in us all.

Owner and our sushi teacher for the night, Alan Wong starts the class with a quick intro on how the Californian style rolls were invented by Japanese immigrants back in the 60s as way of introducing their cuisine to Americans who, back then, weren’t too keen on trying raw fish.

Following a thorough sanitation how-to that’ll make a surgeon proud, we’re off to make our first roll of the night – the simple hand roll.

Hatsune’s Californian style rolls have been famous in Beijing for years, and for their sushi class, they prepared the ingredients of a few of their all-time best sellers.

This class isn’t about turning you into the next Nobu Matsuhisa. You will get the gist of sushi making, but perfecting it is going to take a lot longer than a two hour class at Hatsune. This class is all about fun and letting your inner creative foodie run wild. After three rolls Wang gave up following instructions and had a great time mixing up a really tasty looking mini poke bowl while I made some sort of avocado mashup that also turned out delicious.

Hatsune Sanlitun
Daily 11am – 10pm, 3F Sanlitun South Taikoo Li, Chaoyang District, 6415 3939

Photos: Mina Yan

Do you have an upcoming family-friendly event that you want to be included in our listings? Maximize the reach of your event and promote it on beijingkids!

Let us know by leaving your message in the comments section below or by emailing us at webeditor@beijing-kids.com. Follow us on WeChat (ID: beijing-kids) or join our family events WeChat group by sending us your WeChat QR code. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned. For more events that may not be included in this list, please check our Events page. 

Gallery Night at The SLab, Jan 14
The SLab is holding a gallery night where budding artists present their artworks for a week. Visitors can enjoy the gallery or even buy the artworks. Bring your friends and socialize with like-minded people over a free drink. Doors will be open all day. Adults. RMB 150. The SLab. 2F, Bldg 2, 7 XinzhongJie, Chaoyang District. 北京市东城区新中街7号2号楼2层. (WeChat ID: JenPohland, 156 0120 1550).

ISB Lower Elementary Open House, Jan 16
International School of Beijing invites prospective parents of children aged 3-6 to their Lower Elementary School Open House. Parents will have the opportunity to learn about ISB’s Early Years Monolingual and Dual Language Programs. Adults. Free. 8.30-11.30am. ISB. 10 Anhua Jie, Shunyi District. 顺义区安华街10号. (8149 2345 ext. 1047)

Bingo Night with British Club Beijing, Jan 16
The British Club Beijing brings the popular British pastime bingo to Beijing. New players with no experience of bingo playing are welcomed, as well as those expats who miss shouting “bingo!” can embrace it at Boxing Cat Brewery. This evening will include traditional British bingo calls — or phrases used with certain numbers, such as ‘two little ducks’ (which number might that be?) – as well as British music in the background. There are lots of prizes throughout the evening too! Adults. RMB 70 (for 4 games), RMB 20 (for cards). 7-10pm. Boxing Cat Brewery. Rm 109, Jingshang, Bldg 20, Xinyuanlixi, Chaoyang District. 北京市朝阳区新源里西20号楼金尚首层109单元

Rossella Italian Cooking class, Jan 17
Rossella is holding an Italian-style cooking class for mommies and other adults who are interested in making spaghetti, Italian-style seafood soup, and tiramisu. Participants can enjoy their dishes with others or take it home. All ages. RMB 450 (includes ingredients), 10.30am-1.30pm. Chaoyang Park South Gate, 1 Nongzhanguan Nanlu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区农展馆南路1号. (6506 5409)

Deeper into the Heart at Yoga Yard, Jan 20
Make a mindful start for your New Year with Deeper into the Heart yoga session at Yoga Yard. This practice of intention setting makes use of calming Yin Yoga and participants at this workshop will delve deeply inwards and explore ways of not only clarifying intentions and goals for the new year but laying out the paths that lead them towards fulfillment. All ages. RMB 450 (register here). 1-4 pm. Yoga Yard. 6F, 17 GongtiBeilu, Chaoyang District.朝阳区工体北路17号6层工人体育场北门对面. (6413 0774)

Mindfulness Coach in Action, every second Tuesdays
Beijing Mindfulness Centre founder and mindfulness coach Dalida Turkovic holds monthly virtual coaching sessions on every second Tuesday of the month. During this session, Dalida will answer questions and inquiries about the practice and offer coaching on any personal topic for the participants of the session. The classes are free for practitioners of any levels, as well as for who are curious about the practice but don’t know how to start. Adults. Free. 5pm. Beijing Mindfulness Centre. 44 Qianyongkuang Hutong, Dongcheng District. (6403 4923)

Photo exhibition: “The Last Ladies with Bound Feet” by Cameron Hack, Jan 17-Mar 13
Foot binding started in the Song Dynasty and during the 19th century, it was estimated that around half of all Chinese women had bound feet. This cultural practice was outlawed after the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in 1912. Despite that, it was still practiced not only in remote areas but also in big cities like Beijing. “The Last Ladies with Bound Feet” photo exhibition will share some of the stories of the very last ladies left with bound feet who suffered tremendously when they were trying to achieve the perfect little foot. The exhibition is open to the public from January 18 until March 13. All ages. Free. 7-9pm. Cafe Zarah. 46 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District. 东城区鼓楼东大街42号. (8403 9807)

Photos: Skitterphoto via Pixabay, courtesy of event organizers

Whenever I travel to a new destination, I like to take a cooking class and learn how to whip up a selection of local dishes for myself. I find cooking good food with good company a real pleasure. Maybe it’s because such experiences remind me of back in the day, when I would team up with my sisters to work wonders in our parent’s kitchen.

When the opportunity to attend a cooking class at The Hutong presented itself, I was determined not to let it pass me by. Undeterred by my failure to rally a companion to accompany me, I headed off solo.

Sharing Culture Sharing Knowledge

If you don’t already know, The Hutong is a cultural center located in the heart of Beijing. In addition to cooking classes, they facilitate a wide range of other activities. These include team building events, educational programs, guided trips to various parts of China, tea tours, movie screenings, and workshops. On the evening that I visited, they happened to be hosting a cooking competition for a group of lively high school students.

The kitchen in which our class was to take place was set up with impeccable attention to detail. There were four participants, including myself. Each of us had a cleaver, a chopping board, and an apron waiting for us upon arrival. We were also given printed copies of the recipes so that we did not have to concern ourselves with studious note-taking during the class.

The friendly teacher began with a brief introduction to Chinese cooking, and the different regions from which the country’s popular dishes originate. The talk was informative but not in a tedious “university lecture” way.

Luckily, no need to furiously write down each step as this handy recipe book was provided

The Hutong hosts several different Chinese culinary classes. I opted for a class that showcased Sichuan cuisine. Each of the three dishes that we cooked featured the signature red chili peppers and tongue-numbing peppercorns which work together to give Sichuan food the fiery flavor for which it is renowned.

The class was very practical and hands on. All participants had the opportunity to chop, crush, marinate and exhibit creative wok skills. The class fee of RMB 300 included complimentary soft drinks and hot tea.

The first dish we cooked was Ma Po Dofu (a spicy dish comprised of cubes of tofu and ground pork). The Hutong staff is good about accommodating different dietary requirements, and so my portion omitted the pork. Once this dish was completed, we moved on to a timeless classic: gongbao chicken. We plated up our rendition of this famous creation and left it steaming on the table. It was now time for the finale: stir-fried cabbage with a Sichuan twist. And then we were done.

We circled the long wooden table and spent a moment admiring our handiwork. Photographs were taken, a large bowl of rice added to the mix, and it was time to tick off the last item on our checklist…  feast! I could not think of a better way to conclude an exceptional evening.

The Hutong
1 Jiudaowan Zhongxiang Hutong (southeast of Beixinqiao subway station), Dongcheng District (6404 3355) 东城区九道湾中巷胡同1号(北新桥地铁站东南边）

*This post is a reworking of a blog post that was originally published on www.itisreal.net
Photos: Pamela Djima

There’s a timeless saying that goes something like “buy your pizza, and you’ll eat pizza for one or two meals, but learn to make pizza, and you’ll eat pizza for a lifetime.” We think that’s how it goes anyway.

No matter how much you resist this mouthwatering food becoming a staple in your child’s eating routine, it’s likely that it’s not going anywhere, anytime soon. While wholewheat pasta and quinoa have their merits, when placed head to head in the ring against the delicious combo of bread, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese, those two healthier options will lose every time. It’s better that we come to terms with this fact early on, rather than get discouraged by unwelcome reactions to our occasional attempts at healthy cooking.

One particular remedy to this pickle would be to have your youngsters learn the craft of pizza creation, so that not only will they gain valuable culinary experience, but it might also help these kids begin to work out how to make a healthier version of these delicious pies. This is exactly what Gung Ho Pizza is offering, with an excellent cooking class which is available upon request at any one of their locations.

During these classes kids learn all about pizza, as they roll their dough, add their own toppings, and finally get to eat their special kid-sized creations! Even better, while the kids are busy at work crafting their “za,” parents get to sit down, relax, and take a load off.

Gung Ho! Kid’s Pizza Classes can be booked mornings and afternoons for groups of 6 to 12. Give them a call (Sanlitun: 010 8587 1404, Shuangjing: 010 5876 5262, Xihongmen: 010 6025 5565) or send an email (rich@gunghopizza.com) to book your class today!

Photos: guidesforitaly.com, Gung Ho!

Cooking together is a great way for parents and kids to bond, have fun, and create delicious memories. Develop your family’s menu with FACTORY‘s Executive Chef Camila Betin. On Saturday September 20, from 10am-1pm, she will give an interactive, hands-on cooking class for aspiring young cooks.

Chef Betin has traveled extensively in her quest to explore gastronomy; studying in Italy, New Zealand, and China. She brings her knowledge and flair to FACTORY’s open kitchen which was created expressly to facilitate classes, and can accommodate 10-15 kids. The classes are kept to limited numbers so that every student can get individual attention.

FACTORY’s cooking classes are suitable for kids age 4-12. Children work together, with older ones allocated more complicated tasks. Chef Betin encourages the kids to work together as a team, but without the help of their parents, as she feels creating the dishes from scratch and unaided gives a far greater sense of accomplishment.

Marketing Director Jennifer Eden espouses cooking and baking as fun way for kids to learn many different skills. "They can master simple things like measuring, calculating, combining, learning about ingredients, tasting, and adding," she says.

The upcoming class is entitled “Crazy Pizza!” Kids will make and knead the dough, and select their own toppings. FACTORY also has small take-home kits prepared so families don’t have to buy large amounts of the ingredients used. All of the children also get their own FACTORY aprons and recipes to try as well.

Photos courtesy of FACTORY

Beijing foodies were shocked recently when discovering that Black Sesame Kitchen (BSK) was shutting its doors. After serving for five years as a cooking school and a popular venue for expats to wine and dine in, BSK announced on its website that it was closing until further notice due disagreements with the landlord.

Here is the official announcement; a similar notice has been sent a couple of days earlier to those who had made upcoming reservations.

This situation has happened out of the blue and has come to a shock to everyone at Black Sesame Kitchen. It is with sadness, we must inform you due to irresolvable issues with our landlord, after 5 years Black Sesame Kitchen is unable to operate in our current space and will be moving to a new location.

Therefore, at this time we will not be taking any more dinner reservations for the month of March and April.

Dinner and cooking class reservations made with Black Sesame Kitchen for the rest of March 2014 and for April 2014 are now cancelled until further notice.

Dinner reservations made after 1^st May and beyond, we have a record of your reservations and if we are able to quickly resolve this situation in finding a temporary or permanent location to hold your event, we will notify you as soon as possible.

For guests with cooking class reservations or wish to make reservations in April and May, we are busy securing a temporary location. Please contact for updates.

In the meantime, if you would like to be updated about any future reservations you have, or if you would like to hire our staff for off-site private dinners or cooking classes, please contact us at reservations@blacksesamekitchen.com or +86-136-9147-4408.

Please check back to our website or sign up for our newsletter for updates of our progress.Thank for your years of support, patience and understanding.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

WE WILL BE BACK…. very soon!

From everyone at Black Sesame Kitchen

26th March 2014

For those who’ve never had a chance to visit BSK, the venue was found in 2008 by Chicago-born chef and writer Jen Lin-Liu out of a passion for Chinese food. She is also the author of On the Noodle Road: From Beijing to Rome with Love and Pasta (2013) and Serve the People: A Stir-Fried Journey Through China (2008). To read more about Jen and her work, click here. To find out more about BSK, click here.

We’ve asked BSK’s management to keep us updated on the school’s search for a new venue. For now, let’s just keep our fingers crossed.

 Photo from Black Sesame Kitchen