Cooking Overview: Advantages, Gold-Making, and Updates in MoP Classic

Introduction to Cooking in Mists of Pandaria Classic

Cooking is a secondary profession in Mists of Pandaria Classic that lets players craft food granting stat boosts to whoever consumes it.

Why Level Cooking in Mists of Pandaria Classic

Cooking is valuable for every player, no matter the class. Especially at max level, players benefit greatly from buff foods in raids and dungeons. This guide explains the fastest way to level cooking from 1 to 600, now easier thanks to a Pandaria trainer offering many recipes with simple ingredient needs.

New Foods in Mists of Pandaria Classic

Like every expansion, MoP Classic introduces new endgame foods for personal use, including Black Pepper Ribs and Shrimp and Mogu Fish Stew. It also adds feasts like the Pandaren Banquet and Great Pandaren Banquet, designed to boost stats for your group or raid.

Where to Find Cooking Recipes

In MoP Classic, recipes are taught by Ironpaw Master Chefs at Halfhill Market, bought with Ironpaw Tokens from Nam Ironpaw, or discovered in the world through the Lost and Found achievement.

Unlocking Cooking Specializations

At Cooking skill 520, you can complete the quests So You Want to Be a Chef... and Ready for Greatness to unlock specializations taught by masters in Halfhill Market. You can learn all six specializations on a single character. Each offers five unique recipes.

Specialization Buffs and Banquets

Each specialization’s standard foods focus on a different main stat, except Way of the Brew, which offers no stat bonus. Banquet recipes from all specializations, including Way of the Brew, grant identical stat boosts.

Specializations and Their Recipes

Way of the Grill (Strength)

Kol Ironpaw at Halfhill Market (Valley of the Four Winds, /way 53.0 51.4) teaches:

• Charbroiled Tiger Steak

• Eternal Blossom Fish

• Black Pepper Ribs and Shrimp

• Banquet of the Grill

• Great Banquet of the Grill

Way of the Oven (Stamina)

Jian Ironpaw at Halfhill Market (Valley of the Four Winds, /way 53.2 51.6) offers:

• Wildfowl Roast

• Twin Fish Platter

• Chun Tian Spring Rolls

• Banquet of the Oven

• Great Banquet of the Oven

Way of the Pot (Intellect)

Mei Mei Ironpaw at Halfhill Market (Valley of the Four Winds, /way 52.6 51.6) provides:

• Swirling Mist Soup

• Braised Turtle

• Mogu Fish Stew

• Banquet of the Pot

• Great Banquet of the Pot

Way of the Steamer (Spirit)

Yan Ironpaw at Halfhill Market (Valley of the Four Winds, /way 52.6 51.6) teaches:

• Shrimp Dumplings

• Fire Spirit Salmon

• Steamed Crab Surprise

• Banquet of the Steamer

• Great Banquet of the Steamer

Way of the Wok (Agility)

Anthea Ironpaw at Halfhill Market (Valley of the Four Winds, /way 52.8 51.8) instructs:

• Sauteed Carrots

• Valley Stir Fry

• Sea Mist Rice Noodles

• Banquet of the Wok

• Great Banquet of the Wok

Way of the Brew (No Stat Bonus)

Bobo Ironpaw at Halfhill Market (Valley of the Four Winds, /way 53.0 52.0) offers:

• Ginseng Tea

• Jade Witch Brew

• Mad Brewer's Breakfast

• Banquet of the Brew

• Great Banquet of the Brew

Using Ironpaw Tokens for Recipes

In MoP, you earn Ironpaw Tokens by completing quests in Halfhill, Valley of the Four Winds. Cooking the recipes from the Ironpaw family grants tokens. At level 90, daily quests at Halfhill reward Ironpaw Tokens. These tokens can be spent on recipes, cooking materials, and cosmetics.

Once you reach 525 cooking and finish all six Ways quests, you unlock the quest Preserving Freshness, which lets you repeatably trade stacks of meats, fish, or vegetables for Ironpaw Tokens.

Recipes Purchased with Ironpaw Tokens

Nam Ironpaw at Halfhill Market (Valley of the Four Winds, /way 53.6 51.2) sells:

• Recipe: Pandaren Banquet – 10 Ironpaw Tokens

• Recipe: Great Pandaren Banquet – 10 Ironpaw Tokens

General Cooking Recipes

Non-Specialized Recipes

These recipes provide hit and expertise bonuses without needing a specialization. Both Sungshin Ironpaw and Chin can teach them.

• Sungshin Ironpaw – Halfhill, Valley of the Four Winds, /way 53.6 51.2

• Chin – Dawn’s Blossom, The Jade Forest, /way 46.2 45.4

Recipes include:

• Fish Cake

• Golden Carp Consommé

• Wildfowl Ginseng Soup

• Rice Pudding

• Spicy Salmon

• Spicy Vegetable Chips

Other Recipes and Sources

Some recipes are mostly for achievements or fun and come from various sources:

• Viseclaw Soup – bought from Nat Pagle, requires Friendly reputation with The Anglers

• Krasarang Fritters – bought from Nat Pagle, also requires Friendly reputation

• Four Senses Brew – learned from the Tablet of Ren Yun

• Banana Infused Rum – learned from a special recipe

Cooking Achievements in Mists of Pandaria

Mastery Achievements

• Master of Pandaren Cooking – Reach 600 skill in all six Ways of Pandaren Cooking

• Master of the Brew – Reach 600 skill in Way of the Brew

• Master of the Grill – Reach 600 skill in Way of the Grill

• Master of the Oven – Reach 600 skill in Way of the Oven

• Master of the Pot – Reach 600 skill in Way of the Pot

• Master of the Steamer – Reach 600 skill in Way of the Steamer

• Master of the Wok – Reach 600 skill in Way of the Wok

Other Notable Achievements

• Ironpaw Chef – Learn 240 cooking recipes

• The Pandaren Gourmet – Cook 15 and then 30 Pandaren recipes

• Zen Master Cook – Reach 600 cooking skill overall

• Now I Am the Master – Take on and train an apprentice to become an expert