Fried rice, taught live on Zoom. This online class with Chef Sunflower Li is a smart way to learn real Chinese cooking techniques without booking a trip, and I like how easy-to-follow guidance still feels personal. The only catch is you’re responsible for buying your ingredients ahead of time.

You’ll spend about an hour (often up to 90 minutes) chopping and cooking with step-by-step direction, with a vegan option available if you want that version instead. The downside to keep in mind: since it’s online, you’ll need to set up your kitchen space and tools so you can actually cook along.

If you like practical lessons where you can ask questions and adjust to your schedule, this is an enjoyable, no-stress way to improve your weekday cooking.

Key Things to Know Before You Cook

• Chef-led Zoom lesson from Shanghai: You connect online to cook with Chef Miss Li (Sunflower Li).
• From-scratch recipe learning: You’re taught chopping and cooking techniques while making the dish.
• Vegan fried rice option: You can request a vegan version if that’s your preference.
• Flexible timing for your time zone: You can change the class time to fit your schedule.
• Private class format: Only your group participates, so instruction stays focused.
• Ingredients aren’t included: You’ll get instructions, then supply the food and basic cooking items yourself.

Fried Rice on Zoom With Chef Miss Li (Sunflower Li)

This experience is a Shanghai-based online cooking class focused on fried rice, led by Chef Miss Li, also known as Sunflower Li. It’s designed for people who want hands-on Chinese cooking skills but don’t want the hassle of coordinating a kitchen class in person. You simply cook along from wherever you are.

The format is live, using Zoom, so you can follow in real time rather than relying on a video you pause and rewind. And because it’s private for your group, the teacher can slow down or clarify when something isn’t clicking.

I also like that the class is built around real technique: not just a recipe read-through. You’re learning chopping and cooking moves you can reuse later, so this isn’t just a one-off meal.

What You’ll Cook: Fried Rice, Built From Scratch

The class centers on cooking authentic fried rice from scratch, which is exactly what you want if your goal is to learn how Chinese-style fried rice actually comes together. You’ll learn how to prep and then cook, with the chef guiding you through the sequence so you don’t end up with a “tastes okay” plate that looks nothing like the dish you tried to copy.

You can choose a vegan option. That matters because fried rice is usually associated with eggs, meat, or seafood, and a vegan path means you’re not forced into substitutions you don’t understand. The class is set up to accommodate vegetarians and vegans, so you can keep your meal aligned with your preferences.

One practical point: since the recipes are made from scratch, your finished dish will depend on the ingredients you prep before class. If you show up missing key items, you’ll lose time and momentum.

How the Lesson Runs (and Why Timing Flexibility Helps)

Expect about one hour for the lesson (and the class is described as typically 60 minutes to 90 minutes). That’s a good length for a cooking session because you can learn the steps without feeling like your evening turns into a cooking marathon.

Timing is flexible. After you schedule, you receive instructions for the ingredients you’ll need, and you can change the time to suit your schedule and time zone. That’s a big win if you’re balancing work hours or traveling across multiple time zones, because you’re not locked into a single fixed slot.

You’ll also want to treat this like a real cooking block:

• Have ingredients ready before class so you can focus on technique.
• Set up your cooking area ahead of time so you aren’t scrambling for utensils mid-lesson.
• Be ready to ask questions while the chef is teaching, since it’s live and private.

This is also where the private group format shines. In larger public classes, you can end up waiting your turn. Here, instruction stays more directly tied to your pace.

Learning Chinese Chopping and Cooking Techniques (Not Just One Meal)

A lot of online cooking classes focus on showing you what to do. This one leans more into how to do it: chopping and cooking techniques are explicitly part of what you learn. That’s the difference between following a recipe and actually building skills.

From the feedback, people really value how easy the lesson feels to follow, even if you don’t have advanced cooking ability. Chef Miss Li is described as patient and kind, with the kind of teaching style that keeps beginners from feeling overwhelmed. There’s also a sense that the class has humor and energy, which helps when you’re learning something new.

The technique-based approach is also what makes the class useful after the Zoom session ends. Once you understand how the chef breaks down prep and cooking steps, you can make fried rice for friends and family any time—without needing to search for a new tutorial every week.

Stop 1: Shanghai From a Kitchen Table

Since this is online, you don’t travel to a dining hall or market. Still, the Shanghai connection matters in a real way: the chef teaching you is presenting Chinese cooking through the lens of her local knowledge, and the overall message is that food is one of the easiest ways to understand a country’s culture.

The class includes cultural stories and history behind the dishes, which helps you connect the recipe to a bigger picture. That’s more satisfying than memorizing steps, because you start to understand why the dish is built the way it is. You’re not just cooking; you’re learning how Chinese home cooking thinks.

The tradeoff is the classic online-class limitation: you won’t see cookware, heat levels, or texture in exactly the way you would in person. The good news is that the class is structured to be follow-along friendly, and the teacher can clarify when something looks off on camera.

Other Chinese Classes You Might Pair With This One

This cooking teacher offers more than fried rice. If you want a sequence of Chinese dishes, the class options listed include Lo Mein, Dumplings, Potstickers, Dim Sum, and Kung Pao Chicken. There’s also a vegan option available across classes.

Why does that matter? If you’re learning Chinese cooking as a hobby, it’s easier to build progress when your teacher already has your questions figured out. Taking a second class with the same chef can also help you compare techniques and improve faster.

So if fried rice feels like your entry point, you can turn it into a mini learning plan: one lesson for stir-fry-style cooking, then move to dumplings or noodle techniques.

Price and Value: $20 for a Private Online Lesson

At $20 per person, this is priced like an accessible skill-building activity rather than a premium workshop. The biggest value driver is that it’s private (only your group participates), so the teacher’s attention isn’t diluted across lots of strangers.

The main thing to budget for is ingredients. The class cost does not include cooking ingredients, so you’ll pay for your groceries separately. In other words, the total cost is the class fee plus whatever you need to cook the recipe.

The good part: because you get ingredient instructions after scheduling, you can shop efficiently. And once you cook a meal you’ll actually eat, this doesn’t feel like paying to watch cooking—it feels like paying to learn.

If you want a deal, also watch for group discounts, since the experience notes group-discount pricing. If you’re splitting the class with family or friends, the value can get even better.

Who This Cooking Class Is Best For

This is a strong fit if:

• You want a private Chinese cooking lesson online with live teaching.
• You’re a beginner or intermediate cook and want guidance that feels clear.
• You care about a vegan option and want it handled as a real choice, not an afterthought.
• You’re learning from home or traveling and still want something hands-on.

It’s also a good “confidence builder.” People mention enjoying how easy Chef Miss Li makes the steps to follow, plus how questions are welcomed. That matters when you’re nervous about getting things wrong.

It may not be the best fit if:

• You don’t have space or tools to cook along during the call.
• You’re unwilling to buy ingredients ahead of time.
• You prefer a fully hands-off experience where you don’t do any prep.

Should You Book This Fried Rice Class?

I’d book it if you want a practical online way to learn fried rice technique from a real Shanghai-based chef, and you like the idea of a live, private Zoom lesson with a vegan path. At $20, it’s low-risk, especially if you’re the type who will actually make fried rice again after the class.

You should skip it if you hate grocery prep, can’t set up a cooking station at home, or you only want entertainment and not instruction. But if your goal is learning steps you can reuse, this hits the mark.

FAQ

How long is the online fried rice class?

The class is listed as about 1 hour, and it’s described as typically 60 minutes to 90 minutes.

Is the class private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

Do I get the ingredients included?

No. Cooking ingredients are not included, so you’ll need to purchase them ahead of time.

Is there a vegan option?

Yes. A vegan option is available, and the class can accommodate vegetarians and vegans.

Can I change the class time for my time zone?

Yes. The timing and scheduling are flexible, and the class time can be changed to suit your schedule and time zone.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience starts, the amount you paid is not refunded.