9 Best Cooking Class in Chiang Mai, Thailand with Local Chefs (2024)
Are you ready to learn how to make the best Thai dishes in Chiang Mai?
Read on to discover the 9 best cooking classes in Chiang Mai — all taught by passionate Thai locals—so that you can sample authentic local flavors.
I took a cooking class the first time I went to Thailand and still use the recipe book I got from the Thai and Akha Class. Since then, I’ve returned to Thailand more than ten times now and spend my winters in Chiang Mai eating Thai food pretty much 100% of the time.
Just want to pick the best on the list? Skip the rest of the article because this is our top pick for the best cooking class in Chiang Mai, “Thai and Akha.” They have 2,400+ stellar reviews, so you know you can’t go wrong.
Chiang Mai, Thailand is famous for having some of the best cooking classes in the country that are sure to teach you just what you need to become a master chef at home. Choose the right ingredients and spices, and execute classic recipes precisely. Some tours even give you a recipe book to take your knowledge home with you!
If you’d like to explore all your options, check out all the best tours on this list below, which all have near-perfect 5 Star ratings. Book your class and start your journey to mastering the art of Thai cuisine!
Top 3 Picks: Best Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
Thai and Akha Cooking Class in Chiang Mai
Best Half-Day Cooking Class
Full-Day Thai Cooking at Farm
Best Full-Day Cooking Class
Benny’s Home Cooking Chiang Mai
Best Small Group Cooking Class
9 Best Chiang Mai Cooking Classes
1. Thai and Akha Cooking Class in Chiang Mai
⌛ Tour Length: 6 Hours | ⭐ Ratings: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🥘 Book now
What You’ll Get to Cook:
- Starter: Papaya Salad, Fried Spring Rolls
- Main:
- 3 Akha Dishes
- 1 Curry
- 1 Soup
- 1 Stir Fry
- Dessert: Mango Sticky Rice, Pumpkin in Coconut Milk
Discover the flavors and culture of Northern Thailand’s Akha hill tribe cuisine with this best cooking class in Chiang Mai! With the help of your friendly local Akha host, you’ll get 6 hours to learn how to prepare 11 traditional dishes from both Thai and Akha cuisines.
Years ago, this is the cooking class I took and I still carry my recipe book with me to every new apartment I go to!
In the morning session only, start with a tour of the local market to shop for all the different ingredients you’ll need. On arrival, your professional chef will guide you through a range of local dishes as well as introduce you to some of this hill tribe’s unique ingredients.
JUST BOOK IT!! Easy, Fun, Unique & Tasty Do the morning class for the market!! Niti’s market tour & taste test was phenomenal….I was nervous because I don’t really cook, but everyone made it such a welcoming environment to learn.
– Madelyne (Read More Reviews)
You’ll learn how to make 2 appetizers, a soup, a curry paste and curry, 2 desserts, and multiple Akha-style dishes such as Akha Salad, Akha Soup and ‘Sapi Thuong’. As a special souvenir, each participant will receive a cookbook with all the recipes to recreate these fantastic dishes when they return home.
Finish off this immersive experience by being driven back to your hotel!
What’s Included:
- Customizable experience that caters to all diets and allergies
- Local market tour (only available in the morning)
- Individual cooking stations
- Akha Hill Tribe coffee
- Full-color recipe book
- Free hotel pickup and drop-off within 3 km of the city
2. Half-Day Thai Cooking Course at Farm
⌛ Tour Length: 6 Hours | ⭐ Ratings: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🥘 Book now
What You’ll Get to Cook:
- Starter: Spring Rolls
- Main: Pad Thai, Cashew Nut with Chicken, Chicken with Holy Basil, Tom Kha Kai, Tom Yum Soup, Thai Green Curry, Red Curry, Massaman Curry, Khao Soi
Taste how amazing Thai food with Smile Organic Farm can be! With their unique farm-to-table cooking school, it is the perfect environment for learning the fundamentals in a serene setting.
Located 45 minutes away from the old city near San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, you will get picked up at your hotel/accommodation and guided through every step of your adventure.
Visit their organic kitchen garden filled with herbs and vegetables grown with love. Learn basic Thai cooking in five food categories as either vegetarian or vegan recipes – tailored to spice up your taste buds according to preference!
Become a Thai chef! Super fun day! They picked us up on time, and we first went to the market to learn the ingredients. The drive out is a beautiful view of the countryside. Step by step, they guided us through to making perfect Thai dishes. I had enough left over to have dinner that night.
– Timothy (Read More Reviews)
What’s Included:
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All cooking ingredients
- E-book for all recipes
- Hotel pickup/drop off
3. Full-Day Thai Cooking at Farm
⌛ Tour Length: 8 Hours | ⭐ Ratings: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🥘 Book now
What You’ll Get to Cook:
- Starter: Spring Rolls, Papaya Salad
- Main: Pad Thai, Cashew Nut with Chicken, Tom Kha Kai, Tom Yum Soup, Thai Green Curry, Massaman Curry, Khao Soi
- Dessert: Sticky Rice with Mango
Get the same amazing experience as the Smile Organic Farm cooking class above but as a full-day venture.
Come hungry when you get picked up from your hotel. You will have the opportunity to uncover Thailand’s culinary secrets while exploring Smile Organic’s garden market and its locally-sourced ingredients!
Once you have all the fresh ingredients, a local professional chef will teach you to make 8 delicious dishes in each category: Curry Paste, Curry, Stir-Fried, Soup, Spring Roll, Thai Salad, Dessert, and Herbal Drink.
A Perfect day in our holiday. It was so much fun for us. I would recommend this to anyone who stays in Chiang Mai
– Thorsten (Read More Reviews)
What’s Included:
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All fresh ingredients
- E-book for all recipes
- Hotel pickup/drop off
4. Benny’s Home Cooking Chiang Mai
⌛ Tour Length: 6 Hours | ⭐ Ratings: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🥘 Book now
What You’ll Get to Cook:
- Starter: Satay (Chicken, Shrimp, Beef, Mushroom, Tofu)
- Soup: Tom Kha Kai, Tom Yum Soup
- Main: Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles
- Curry: Thai Curry (Green, Red, Massaman Panang, Jungle), Khao Soi
- Dessert: Sticky Rice with Mango, Longan with Sticky Rice, Steamed Banana Cake
Whether a novice or an expert chef, enjoy this fabulous Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai with a local guide and chef, Benny. Wander the local market and learn about the colorful ingredients used in traditional dishes before choosing three different dishes to tingle your tastebuds.
I really liked the size of this class, max 8 people and we only had 4 including myself….We all felt like visiting a friend’s house to cook. The menu was fantastic, many options to choose from. I highly recommend this cooking class over other ones.
– Michelle (Read More Reviews)
On this small group tour, everything needed for a successful session is provided – ingredients, expert instruction, and even a vegetarian meal option available. No matter your skill level or age, rest assured you’ll get personalized instruction and service in a relaxed atmosphere.
Plus, with the recipe book you’ll receive, you can recreate some of these delicious dishes in your own kitchen!
What’s Included:
- Beverages, coffee, herbal tea
- Professional instructor
- Local market tour and food tasting
- All fresh ingredients
- Recipe book
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
5. Grandma’s Home: Authentic Thai Cooking Class and Farm Visit
⌛ Tour Length: 4-6 Hours | ⭐ Ratings: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | 🥘 Book now
What You’ll Get to Cook:
- Main: Tom Yam Soup, Tom Kha Soup, Pad Thai, Green Curry, Kao Soi Curry, Red Curry
- Dessert: Mango Sticky Rice
- Drinks: Thai Milk Tea, Lemon Tea
Who wouldn’t want to book a cooking class called Grandma’s Home (unless your grandma was a terrible cook). But you can be sure that this Authentic Thai Cooking Class and Farm Visit will be filled with delicious, traditional dishes.
Uncover the area’s distinct flavors by preparing five (or seven in a full-day course) delectable dishes from natural ingredients at your own cooking station. Follow along with an experienced English-speaking guide as you whip up delightful recipes like mango sticky rice, pad thai, curry, and curry paste using fresh items picked right from a local market or organic farm.
What a great experience! Not only do you get to cook but you get to learn what it takes to make the dish you are making by touring the farm and the market. I would recommend anyone to this class, a truly great experience! Don’t eat before the class though if in the morning!
– Harrison (Read More Reviews)
What’s Included:
- Market visit
- Welcome drink
- Local organic farm visit
- English-speaking instructor
- Small group size
- Pickup and drop-off service
- E-recipe book
6. Mama Noi Half-Day Cooking Class with Organic Farm
⌛ Tour Length: 4 Hours | ⭐ Ratings: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🥘 Book now
Sample Menu of What You’ll Get to Cook:
- Main: Pad Thai, Khao Soi, Northern Curry Paste Noodle
- Dessert: Sticky Rice with Mango
Experience this half or full-day culinary experience with Mama Noi, which begins with a visit to a local market, where you’ll have the chance to view and sample exciting Thai ingredients.
Under the guidance of a professional chef, you will master every step involved in making an authentic meal in their carefully cultivated kitchen garden and individual station. Afterward, relish in your culinary creations amidst companions by trying out your lunch or dinner handiwork.
Fantastic experience! Everything was very well organized and our teacher Fern was amazing. There is a good selection of dishes on offer – you pick 3 dishes out of 9. Plus you get to make a Thai tea and a dessert….I would highly recommend.
– Kamila (Read More Reviews)
Before journeying back to Chiang Mai, all participants will be given your very own recipe book to relive the experience and savor homemade creations!
Morning and evening classes are available to accommodate all types of schedules. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn how to shop for ingredients, make fabulous meals, and savor a wonderful dining experience.
What’s Included:
- Recipe book
- Professional local guide/driver
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Organic Farm
7. Tomyum Thai Cooking Class
⌛ Tour Length: 5 Hours | ⭐ Ratings: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🥘 Book now
Sample Menu of What You’ll Get to Cook:
- Main: Tom Yum Soup, Khao Soi
- Dessert: Sticky Rice with Mango
Prepare to be amazed by the delicious flavors on this half-day Chiang Mai cooking class with Tomyum Thai. If you’ve read up to this point, we’ve now seen that these classes love to take students on a guided tour of local food markets to get a first-hand look at the ingredients that make up Thai cuisine.
Then the main highlight: learn how to prepare six dishes by hand with lively instruction from your chef-instructor. After all of your hard work, sit down to enjoy the meal you helped create.
This is how cooking classes should be taught – hands-on, in-depth, and delicious!…I feel confident that I learned enough to recreate these flavors in my own kitchen back home, which is not something I often say about half-day cooking classes.
– Gerald (Read More Reviews)
Plus, you’ll get access to our online photos, a recipe book to take home, and coffee or tea! This small group course is limited to 10 participants; complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
What’s Included:
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All equipment
- Recipe book
- Pick up from, and return to, your hotel
8. Cooking Evening Class + Organic Garden and Market
⌛ Tour Length: 4.5 Hours | 🥘 Book now
What You’ll Get to Cook:
- Starter: Papaya Salad, Spring Rolls, Fresh Spring Rolls, Chicken Salad
- Curry: Thai Curry (Green, Red, Massaman), Khao Soi
- Stir-Fried: Pad Thai, Fried Cashew Nut with Chicken, Stir Fried Morning Glory, Chicken with Basil leaves
- Soup: Tom Yum, Chicken in Coconut Milk, Glass Noodle Soup with Vegetable, Thai Noodle Soup with Pork
- Dessert: Sticky Rice with Mango, Banana in Coconut Milk, Banana Spring Rolls, Black Sticky Rice Pudding
Want to impress your family and friends with delicious home-cooked Thai food? The team of expert chefs from this Siam Garden Cooking School in Chiang Mai will make learning how to cook the best dishes from Thailand both fun and easy.
The evening course runs from 14:30 to 19:30, picking up guests at their hotel before heading off to the local market. Afterward, visit their self-grown organic garden to understand more about Thai ingredients.
Once at the school, you are invited to select one dish each from six categories: an appetizer, curry paste, curry, stir fry, soup and dessert. To ensure a customized culinary experience for all our guests, Siam Garden offers various types of meat options tailored to your preference in spiciness; vegan or vegetarian menus plus gluten-free alternatives!
Very friendly group of people to do the class with and the instructors were wonderful. Explained everything step by step. We each cooked 5 dishes, all of which tasted good.
– Carol (Read More Reviews)
After savoring a delicious, home-cooked meal in either their air-conditioned dining room or tranquil garden pavilion, it’s time to escort you back to your hotel.
Reasons to pick this school: This class has one of the most extensive menus for one of the cheapest prices per head.
What’s Included:
- Visit Local Market & Our Organic Garden
- All Fresh Ingredients
- One Person per Wok
- English Speaking Instructor
- Tea, Coffee, Drinking Water
- Full Color Recipe Book
9. Chiang Mai Local Village Exploring with Weaving Experience
⌛ Tour Length: 8 Hours | 🥘 Book now
Gain a unique educational experience on this full-day tour of Chiang Mai, combining food with Thai culture! Head out of Chiang Mai towards Chiang Rai to visit the local village to understand and even participate in traditional weaving, then taste some delicious local food and desserts you will make yourself.
First, visit the Fish Breeding Center, where you can discover how fish are bred and learn about the impact of this project in supporting the community. Then, set out for Sankampang Village’s weaving house to observe how these pieces of art come alive before trying the traditional weaving process yourself from start to finish. Finally, delight in a cooking class and learn how to create delicious local desserts yourself.
This day trip is perfect for those who want an unforgettable experience involving fun and learning and supporting the community with their initiatives. Hotel pickup will be provided from your hotel in the city center.
What’s Included:
- Hotel round-trip transfer
- Transportation with experienced Driver (VIP 9 seats air-con van)
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Admission fees
- Activities as indicated
- Local lunch & water
FAQs About Chiang Mai Cooking Schools
Where can I do a cooking class in Thailand?
Thailand’s Chiang Mai is a top-notch destination for cooking classes. However, many other popular tourist spots also provide these culinary experiences. There are numerous cooking schools and classes available to choose from, offering a variety of experiences and cuisines. These schools offer hands-on lessons, allowing you to learn traditional Thai cooking techniques while enjoying the local flavors.
What is the most popular dish in Chiang Mai?
One of the most popular dishes in Chiang Mai is Khao Soi. When I was in Chiang Mai, I was on a mission to hunt for the best Khao Soi, and succeeded in finding plenty.
This traditional Northern Thai dish consists of egg noodles in a rich, creamy curry broth, garnished with crispy noodles and served with your choice of protein (such as chicken, beef, or tofu). It is known for its aromatic spices and unique flavor profile. Khao Soi is a must-try when visiting Chiang Mai, and you can even learn how to make it yourself by taking a cooking class in the city.
What do people eat for breakfast in Chiang Mai?
Breakfast in Chiang Mai typically consists of a variety of dishes. Some popular options include:
- Khao Tom: A comforting rice soup made with fragrant jasmine rice, herbs, and your choice of protein (such as chicken or pork). It is often served with condiments like fresh ginger, cilantro, and crispy fried garlic.
- Jok: A rice porridge dish cooked with a flavorful broth and topped with ingredients like minced pork, green onions, and a soft-boiled egg.
- Pa Tong Go: A type of deep-fried dough served with sweetened condensed milk or pandan custard for dipping.
- Khanom Krok: Small coconut pancakes made with rice flour and coconut milk. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a slightly sweet flavor.
Final Thoughts: Best Thai Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
We hope this guide helped you find the best cooking classes in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Whether a beginner or an experienced chef, these Thai cooking schools are the perfect places to take your culinary skills to the next level.
For our money, the best cooking class in Chiang Mai is this Thai and Akha Cooking Class, which has 2,400+, 5-star reviews.
Each class mentioned in this guide makes for a great addition to your Chiang Mai sightseeing itinerary, just like a visit to Sticky Waterfall or the Grand Canyon. They’re all offered in English, provide round-trip transportation, and most even give you a recipe book souvenir!
| TRAVEL RESOURCES |
| ✈️ Find the best tours and activities with Viator to cross off your bucket list and create unforgettable memories 🏘️ Book your accommodation with Booking.com in advance and check availability on the days of your travels. 🧾 Rent a car in advance with Discovercars for those epic road trips at the best price. 📓 Safety first! Insure yourself with Safety Wings nomad travel insurance for $45/month for all your adventures and activities abroad. |
Where Next in North Thailand?
I’ve been to Thailand 10+ times in my life and now spend my winters there. That’s a lot of my life biking, hitchhiking, and bussing around this beautiful country. Check out these other posts to see if any of these destinations pique your interest.
- 9 Best Cooking Class In Chiang Mai, Thailand With Local Chefs
- 7 Best Tours To Chiang Rai From Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Grand Canyon, Chiang Mai: A No FOMO Thailand Visitor’s Guide
- Baan Dam Museum (Black House, Chiang Rai): A No FOMO Thailand Guide
- Blue Temple, Chiang Rai: A No FOMO Thailand Guide
- White Temple, Chiang Rai (Wat Rong Khun): A No FOMO Thailand Guide
- Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls, Chiang Mai: A No FOMO Thailand Traveler’s Guide
- Discover The Best Of Pai Canyon, Thailand: A Traveler’s Guide
- Golden Triangle, Thailand: 14 Best Things To Do In Chiang Saen
- Chiang Mai To Pai: Guide To The Best Road Trip In Thailand
Have Travel Questions About Thailand? Maybe I’ve Answered Them
- Languages Spoken In Thailand: Do They Speak English In Thailand?
- Motorbike Rental In Phuket: 9 Quick Tips Before You Sign
- Is There Uber In Thailand? (Uber In Bangkok And Beyond)
- 30 Day Tourist Visa Extension Thailand: Step-By-Step Guide
- Price Of Massages In Thailand: Honest Rates For All Types Of Massages
- Chiang Khong To Huay Xai: How To Cross The Thailand-Laos Border
- Bangkok vs Chiang Mai: Thai-Ing To Decide Which City Is Better?
