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10 Authentic Cooking Classes in Thailand

 

Ask any returnee from Thailand what their favorite memories are – and it’s usually not the magnificent beaches, gracious hospitality, or incredible hotels that will come first…it’s delicious, sensational Thai cuisine! 

Food and cooking are an integral part of Thai culture, and enjoying traditional Thai food will be a huge bonus on your trip, so why not combine the two? With an authentic Thai cooking class you’ll learn about local ingredients and cooking techniques, and pick up skills along the way. You’ll also be able to take your knowledge home with you and impress your friends and family when you return! 

There are excellent cooking schools all around the Land of Smiles, but we’ve picked out our top ten favorites across the key locations.

Blue Elephant Cooking School

Bangkok

Located in Sathon district right in the heart of downtown Bangkok, the Blue Elephant has been a favorite for many years. 

Classes are taken an atmospheric colonial mansion, plonked somewhat incongruous in between two skyscrapers! If you’d like to skip the class, the Blue Elephant restaurant in the same venue is just as good. 

Blue Elephant also has a venue down in Phuket, should you have more time to spare once on the beach.

Baipai Thai Cooking School

Bangkok

Baipai school guarantees a hands-on experience, rather than a cooking demo, ensuring you’ll really get to put your skills to the test! 

In a contrast to downtown classes, Baipai is hosted in an airy villa in the outskirts of Bangkok with complimentary shuttle transfers included before and after each half-day session. 

The large villa, surrounded by lush gardens, is located in the Chatuchak district; those partaking in the weekend classes may wish to pair your visit with a trip to the sprawling food and clothing stalls of Chatuchak Weekend Market, located nearby. 

Chef Leez Thai Cooking Class

Bangkok

Chef Leez comes with a fine reputation, having been voted the best cooking class in Bangkok each year since 2011. 

Visitors enjoy an all-round experience here. The day starts with a fascinating street market tour, picking up fresh ingredients along the way before you’re transferred to a secluded classroom in the backstreets of Bueng Kum.

You’ll learn to cook a total of 12 dishes – more than any other class – including all the usual favorites: tom yum, pad thai, papaya salad, massaman curry, and a delicious dessert of mango sticky rice.

Thai Farm Cooking School

Chiang Mai

Moving up to northern Thailand, we’ll pick out a few of our favorite classes in and around Chiang Mai – a wonderful city that should be on any traveler’s wishlist.

Thai Farm Cooking School has possibly the most attractive location of any school, set in several acres of organic farmland around 17km outside of Chiang Mai. A tour of the grounds precedes your class, where you can pick fresh ingredients before returning to your cooking station. 

As with most of these classes, a complete recipe book is included, so you’ll be able to recreate the dishes when you get home!

Pantawan Cooking

Chiang Mai

Pantawan Cooking adds a layer of finesse to the usual cooking class experience, with classes taking place in a gorgeous teak villa on the outskirts of the city. 

A full-day visit can be arranged, which includes a luxurious ‘khantoke’ dinner in the evening: a Lanna (northern Thai) special occasion meal, accompanied by traditional music. 

Both cooking class and special event dinner are among our favorite activities for honeymooners in Chiang Mai.

Lanna Smile Thai Cooking

Chiang Mai

This course, which takes place on the northern outskirts of the city, provides a comprehensive introduction to northern Thai cuisine. 

Run by Lanna people, offering an exclusively Lanna menu, courses are laidback, fun, and take place in a beautiful garden location. 

Classes start with a tour of an authentic local market where your host will introduce you to typical ingredients and engage with market sellers. 

Organic Thai Cooking

Phuket

Moving down to the islands, Organic Thai Cooking is a friendly, informal course taking place in a quiet setting back from Rawai beach. 

After the usual market visit start, you’ll travel back to the host’s gorgeous organic garden kitchen, where you’ll be trained in simple Thai cooking techniques. 

Prepare a selection of mouthwatering cooked Thai food dishes to then be enjoyed in the garden setting.

Phuket Thai Cooking Academy

Phuket

This higher spec class is held in the dead center of Phuket, in a small village surrounded by mountains and forest. A market visit precedes the class, and afterward you’re just a short distance from Kathu waterfall for a refreshing dip. 

A wide range of classes is available, offering vegetarian menus, privately arranged courses, and education on the traditional Thai skill of fruit carving.

Ying’s Thai Cooking Class

Koh Samui

This homely, informal class is all about the host. Ying is a warm and lively presence, offering classes in a typically ‘Samuian” laidback style. 

Classes are hosted within her traditional home in a remote interior village. Due to size of venue, and Ying’s personal wishes, classes are always held on a 100% private basis –  guaranteeing intimacy and quality. The menu is also totally flexible to guests’ needs.

Smile Koh Mak

Koh Mak

Finally, a remote offering – on the tiny, well off beaten path island of Koh Mak. 

Smile cooking class is pretty much the best thing to do on Koh Mak (there isn’t much else) and is an excellent class specializing in eastern Gulf island fare. 

The setting is rustic but homely, and right on the water. Enjoy your dishes on their beachfront terrace before jumping in for a post-lunch dip!

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