Try this if you’re heading to Chiang Mai!
Signed up for a cooking class during our recent Chiang Mai trip - and we’re here to share about it!
🍳 how long is the class?
We departed around 8am and got back around 2pm - ours was the half day class that included 4 different dishes! There’s a longer full day class too but we had other places to get to 🥲
🍳 is it difficult?
not at all! There was a 10 year old in our class 🤣 supervised by her parents ofc haha - but the cooking itself isn’t too difficult as all the ingredients were prepared for us. Washing is covered by the staff as well! I would say you can do it as long as you’re comfortable with turning on the stove and holding a pan 🤣
The instructor also provided very clear instructions so everything was really easy to follow.
🍳 how do you get to the school?
They provide free pickups from your hotel as long as you have a group of 5 or more! Otherwise they do pickups from one of the malls in town. The school is quite far out in the countryside so wouldn’t recommend trying to go there yourself.
🍳 how much is it?
We paid about 40SGD for the class - not the cheapest activity ofc but it was super fun! And there was so much food we dabao-ed the dessert back home to eat 🤣
They also give you an e-book with the recipes so you don’t have to take notes in class 😛
🍳 so what’s the catch?
I would say this probably isn’t where you should go if you want to learn serious cooking techniques 😅 the instructor does provide an introduction to Thai cooking and spices, but in terms of the nuances of cooking and actual techniques, everything is pretty simple (putting stuff into a pot and stirring it) so if you’re an experienced cook trying to level up your skills then this might not be for you 😬
Let us know if there’s anything else you want to know about our class!
#thailandtravel #cookingclass #Chiangmai #chiangmaitravel #housethingstravelling
If you're considering a cooking class in Chiang Mai, I highly recommend choosing one that includes both a market and farm tour. It really enriches the experience by showing you where the fresh ingredients come from and how locals shop for their daily meals. Even if ingredients are prepped at the school, watching the bustling market and visiting the herb garden enhances your appreciation of Thai flavors. The highlight for me was having my own workstation, which allowed me to cook dishes like Pad Thai, Coconut Curry, Khao Soi, and Mango Sticky Rice at my own pace. The portioned ingredients and thorough guidance made the process accessible even for children, which is great if you’re traveling with family. While the class teaches basic cooking techniques and doesn't delve deeply into advanced culinary skills, it’s ideal for food lovers wanting a casual and enjoyable introduction to Thai cuisine. Transportation is something to consider—opt for classes that offer free pickups if you’re part of a group to avoid the long ride to the countryside cooking school. Also, the e-book recipe takeaway is a great bonus because you can recreate these authentic dishes at home later without scrambling to take notes. One tip: adjust the chili levels early on if you’re sensitive to spice, especially with dishes like Khao Soi, which can get quite fiery! Overall, this cooking class is a fantastic activity to add to your Chiang Mai itinerary, offering not just food, but culture and fun hands-on learning.