Discover the vibrant flavors of northern Thailand with Chiang Mai’s renowned cooking class and market tour. This immersive 4-hour experience takes you beyond the typical tourist trail, allowing you to explore a local market, select fresh ingredients, and learn traditional cooking techniques in an organic kitchen garden. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or simply seeking a unique cultural experience, this culinary adventure promises to delight your senses and leave you craving more.
Good To Know
- A 4 to 4.5-hour cooking class and market tour in Chiang Mai, with prices ranging from £19.45 to £22.88 per person.
- Includes hotel pickup, a visit to the local market, and a hands-on cooking session in an organic kitchen garden.
- Offers customizable options for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly dishes.
- Covers the preparation of starter dishes like Hot and Sour Prawn and Local Chicken Soup.
- Teaches participants to cook iconic Thai main courses such as Pad Thai and Chicken Fried Rice.
Activity Overview
The cooking class and market tour in Chiang Mai offers a unique hands-on experience lasting 4 to 4.5 hours.
Priced at £19.45 to £22.88 per person, the class includes hotel pickup, a visit to a local market, and hands-on cooking in an organic kitchen garden.
Guests can customize their experience, with options for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly dishes.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and a reserve now, pay later option is offered.
With an impressive 4.9/5 rating based on 1,893 reviews, this class promises an unforgettable exploration of Thai cuisine and culture.
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Itinerary and Experience
Depending on the location of their hotel, guests are picked up from within 3 km of Chiang Mai Old Town.
At the local market, they select fresh herbs and ingredients.
In the organic kitchen garden, guests participate in a hands-on cooking session. They prepare various dishes, including starters like hot and sour prawn, local chicken soup, and turmeric chicken soup.
For main courses, they cook Pad Thai, chicken fried rice, and Pad Kra Pao. Guests also craft curry pastes from scratch, such as red, green, Phanaeng, Massaman, and Khao Soi.
Finally, they create a chicken and coconut milk curry, and sweet sticky rice with mango.
Starters
Guests begin the hands-on cooking session by preparing a variety of starters. They start with Hot and Sour Prawn, a zesty shrimp dish, followed by a flavorful Local Chicken Soup. Next, they try Chicken in Coconut Milk and Turmeric Chicken Soup, which showcase Thailand’s signature aromatic flavors.
| Dish | Key Ingredients | Cooking Method |
| — | — | — |
| Hot and Sour Prawn | Shrimp, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, tamarind | Stir-fry |
| Local Chicken Soup | Chicken, galangal, lemongrass, fish sauce, lime juice | Simmered |
| Chicken in Coconut Milk | Chicken, coconut milk, kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce | Simmered |
| Turmeric Chicken Soup | Chicken, turmeric, galangal, fish sauce, lime juice | Simmered |
Main Courses
After exploring the delightful starters, guests now move on to prepare a range of main course dishes.
The cooking class features several popular Thai main dishes, including:
Pad Thai – the iconic stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, peanuts, and a sweet-sour-salty sauce
Chicken Fried Rice – a savory dish made with fragrant jasmine rice, chicken, vegetables, and soy sauce
Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts – crispy chicken pieces stir-fried with crunchy cashews and a flavorful sauce
Pad Kra Pao – a spicy stir-fry of minced chicken or pork, holy basil, and chili peppers
Chicken and Coconut Milk Curry – a rich, creamy curry simmered with coconut milk and tender chicken.
Curry Paste and Curry Dishes
In the cooking class, participants get the opportunity to craft their own curry paste from scratch. The instructor guides them through the process of making several curry paste varieties, including red, green, Phanaeng, Massaman, and Khao Soi. This hands-on experience allows guests to learn the nuances of Thai curry flavors and aromas. Once the pastes are prepared, the class then creates chicken and coconut milk curry dishes, as well as sweet sticky rice with mango.
| Curry Paste | Ingredients | Flavor Profile |
| — | — | — |
| Red | Dried chilies, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, galangal, shrimp paste | Spicy, aromatic |
| Green | Fresh green chilies, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, cilantro | Spicy, herbal |
| Phanaeng | Dried chilies, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves | Mild, nutty |
| Massaman | Dried chilies, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, galangal, spices | Mild, rich, aromatic |
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Inclusions and Restrictions
The cooking class includes a range of inclusions to enhance the experience. Participants will enjoy:
A range of inclusions to enhance the cooking class experience, including participant enjoyment.
Hotel pickup and drop-off within 3 km of Chiang Mai Old Town
A visit to the local market to select fresh herbs and ingredients
A hands-on cooking session in an organic kitchen garden
A PDF recipe book to take home
Complimentary drinks throughout the class
However, the class isn’t suitable for children under 5 and people over 95.
Customizable options are available for various dietary requirements, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and halal.
Customer Feedback
Customers have expressed overwhelming satisfaction with the Chiang Mai cooking class and market tour, with an overall rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on 1,893 reviews.
One Australian traveler, Maddie, described it as the "highlight of our trip" and noted the accommodating options for allergies.
A French guest, Marion, appreciated the opportunity to "learn and cook many dishes."
Polly from the UK found the experience "super fun" and praised the "informative guide."
The cooking class and market visit seem to offer a memorable, immersive, and customizable culinary adventure in Chiang Mai.
Important Information
Comfortable clothing is recommended for participants of the Chiang Mai cooking class and market tour.
Participants should refrain from consuming alcohol and drugs during the experience.
Pickup times are available in the morning, brunch, afternoon, and evening.
Over 545 customer photos document the vibrant cooking class and market tour.
Booking flexibility allows guests to check availability for their desired dates.
Wear comfortable clothes
No alcohol or drugs allowed
Pickup times from morning to evening
545+ customer photos available
Flexible booking options
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bring My Own Cooking Utensils or Equipment?
The cooking class doesn’t require participants to bring their own cooking utensils or equipment. All necessary tools and ingredients are provided by the organizers for the hands-on cooking experience.
Is the Class Suitable for Children With Dietary Restrictions?
Yes, the cooking class is suitable for children with dietary restrictions. It offers customizable options for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, halal, and allergy-friendly dishes to accommodate different dietary needs.
Are There Any Discounts Available for Group Bookings?
The cooking class offers discounts for group bookings, with up to 15% off the standard per-person price. Larger groups can take advantage of these savings when reserving the experience together.
Can I Request a Specific Type of Cuisine or Dish to Be Taught?
Yes, the cooking class offers customizable options. Participants can request specific cuisines or dishes to be taught, such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, halal, or allergy-friendly options, allowing for a personalized learning experience.
How Do I Provide Feedback or Leave a Review About the Experience?
Customers can provide feedback or leave a review through the booking website or platform where they made the reservation. This allows the tour operator to improve the experience and helps future customers make informed decisions.
The Sum Up
This immersive culinary experience in Chiang Mai allows participants to explore the vibrant flavors of Thai cuisine. From visiting a local market to preparing authentic dishes in an organic garden, the tour offers a hands-on and customizable adventure perfect for foodies. With high ratings, this activity is an excellent way to explore the rich culinary traditions of northern Thailand.
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