Half-Day Cooking Class With Market Tour

Exploring the vibrant flavors of Thai cuisine has never been easier. This half-day cooking class offers an immersive experience, blending a guided market tour with hands-on instruction from an expert chef. Participants will venture into a local market, discovering the diverse array of produce, herbs, and spices that define authentic Thai dishes. Then, in a small-group setting, they’ll learn to prepare a variety of beloved Thai specialties, from curry to sticky rice. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a curious beginner, this class promises a unique taste of Thai culinary traditions. What secrets will you uncover in the kitchen?

Key Points

• A half-day cooking class that includes a guided tour of a local Thai market to explore ingredients and cuisine.
• Hands-on instruction to make authentic Thai dishes, including preparing curry paste from scratch.
• Covers cooking 5 Thai dishes, such as Pad Thai, curries, and desserts, in a small-group setting.
• Includes hotel pickup/drop-off, drinking water, tea, coffee, and a recipe book.
• The class lasts 10 hours, with morning and evening sessions, and is limited to 10 participants.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Activity Details

This half-day cooking class in Chiang Mai offers both morning and evening sessions, each lasting 5 hours and limited to 10 participants for a small group experience.

Participants will have the chance to visit a local market to explore ingredients and Thai cuisine. They’ll then learn to cook 5 authentic Thai dishes, including making their own curry paste, in a Thai home setting.

The menu options cover a wide range of Thai specialties, from stir-fried dishes and soups to curries and desserts.

The class includes hotel pickup and drop-off within 3 km of Chiang Mai’s old town, as well as drinking water, tea, and coffee, plus a recipe book to take home.

Market Tour and Cooking Instruction

During the market tour, participants explore the local market to discover the diverse ingredients and flavors that define Thai cuisine. They learn about the fresh produce, herbs, and spices that are the foundation of authentic Thai dishes. The knowledgeable instructor guides the group, sharing insights and anecdotes that bring the market to life.

After the tour, the cooking instruction begins in a traditional Thai home setting. Participants:

• Learn to make curry paste from scratch, a crucial building block of many Thai curries
• Cook five authentic Thai dishes, such as Pad Thai and Green Curry, under the watchful eye of the instructor
• Gain hands-on experience in the techniques and flavors that make Thai cuisine so vibrant and delicious

The intimate, small-group setting allows for personalized attention and ample opportunities to ask questions, ensuring participants leave with a deeper understanding of Thai culinary traditions.

Menu Options

The cooking class offers a diverse menu of authentic Thai dishes, including stir-fried favorites, aromatic soups, appetizing appetizers, flavorful curries, and a sweet dessert. Participants can indulge in classic Thai staples such as Pad Thai, Cashew Nut with Chicken, and Pad See Ew. Soothing soups like Hot and Sour Prawn Soup, Chicken in Coconut Milk Soup, and Thai Noodle Soup are also on the menu. For appetizers, guests can make Spring Rolls, Papaya Salad, and Cucumber Salad. The class also covers three types of curries: Green Curry, Panang Curry, and Khao Soi Curry. To end the meal, you will learn to prepare Sticky Rice with Mango.

Stir-Fried Dishes	Soups	Appetizers
Pad Thai	Hot and Sour Prawn Soup	Spring Roll
Cashew Nut with Chicken	Chicken in Coconut Milk Soup	Papaya Salad
Pad See Ew	Thai Noodle Soup	Cucumber Salad

Curries	Dessert
Green Curry	Sticky Rice with Mango
Panang Curry
Khao Soi Curry

Stir-fried Dishes

Along With the aromatic soups and flavorful curries, the cooking class offers participants the opportunity to master three classic Thai stir-fried dishes:

Pad Thai, the quintessential Thai street food, features a delightful blend of rice noodles, shrimp, peanuts, and a tangy sauce.

The Cashew Nut with Chicken dish showcases the versatility of Thai cuisine, with its savory, crunchy, and slightly sweet flavors.

Lastly, Pad See Ew, a beloved staple, combines broad rice noodles, Chinese broccoli, and a rich soy-based sauce. Through hands-on guidance, you will learn the techniques and nuances that make these stir-fried delights so irresistible.

More Great Tours Nearby

Soups

Participants often delight in the aromatic and flavorful Thai soups featured in the cooking class, which include Hot and Sour Prawn Soup, Chicken in Coconut Milk Soup, and Thai Noodle Soup. These authentic dishes showcase the balance of flavors that define Thai cuisine – sweet, sour, spicy, and savory. Under the guidance of expert instructors, students learn the techniques for preparing these soups, from selecting the freshest ingredients at the local market to mastering the cooking methods that bring out the depth of flavors.

Soup	Key Ingredients	Cooking Techniques
Hot and Sour Prawn Soup	Prawns, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, lime juice	Boiling, simmering, seasoning
Chicken in Coconut Milk Soup	Chicken, coconut milk, galangal, lemongrass, fish sauce	Simmering, blending, garnishing
Thai Noodle Soup	Rice noodles, chicken or beef, bean sprouts, green onions, fish sauce	Boiling, assembling, garnishing

Appetizers

Though often overlooked, the appetizer offerings in the cooking class provide a delightful introduction to the diverse flavors of Thai cuisine.

Students learn to prepare springrolls, papaya salad, and cucumber salad – each dish showcasing a unique balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and savory elements.

The springrolls, for instance, feature a crisp exterior encasing a filling of sautéed vegetables and vermicelli noodles.

The papaya salad, on the other hand, combines shredded green papaya, tomatoes, peanuts, and a zesty dressing.

Meanwhile, the refreshing cucumber salad is dressed in a light vinegar-based sauce, making it a perfect palate cleanser.

These appetizers not only tantalize the taste buds but also provide insights into the culinary traditions of Thailand.

Curries

The cooking class features three distinctive Thai curries – Green Curry, Panang Curry, and Khao Soi Curry.

Students learn to prepare the complex curry pastes that form the foundation of these aromatic dishes, using a mortar and pestle to grind together a harmonious blend of spices, herbs, and aromatics.

With guidance from the experienced instructor, they’ll cook each curry from scratch, adding fresh ingredients like coconut milk, chicken, and vegetables to create the rich, complex flavors.

The class provides an opportunity to explore the nuances of Thai curries, from the fragrant green curry to the creamy, slightly sweet Panang, and the unique Khao Soi with its egg noodles and crispy fried noodle toppings.

Dessert

Along With the savory Thai dishes, the cooking class culminates with the preparation of a sweet and satisfying dessert – Sticky Rice with Mango.

Under the guidance of the experienced instructor, students will learn the art of cooking the sticky, aromatic rice and pairing it with the fresh, tropical mango for a classic Thai treat.

The instructor will demonstrate the proper techniques for:

• Steaming the sticky rice to achieve the perfect texture
• Making the sweet coconut milk sauce that infuses the rice with flavor
• Slicing and arranging the ripe mango for an eye-catching presentation

With these new skills, participants can recreate this beloved Thai dessert at home, savoring the harmony of sticky rice and juicy mango.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Maximum Group Size for the Cooking Class?

The cooking class is limited to a maximum group size of 10 participants. This small group experience allows for more personalized attention and hands-on learning during the market tour and cooking instruction.

Do I Need to Bring Any Special Cooking Equipment?

The cooking class provides all necessary equipment, so participants don’t need to bring any special cookware. The focus is on learning authentic Thai cooking techniques rather than bringing personal equipment.

Will the Class Accommodate Dietary Restrictions?

The cooking class can accommodate dietary restrictions. They’ll work with participants to modify recipes and ensure all dishes meet any dietary needs, such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. Just let the organizers know in advance.

Is There a Dress Code for the Cooking Class?

There’s no strict dress code for the cooking class, but comfortable, closed-toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting a bit messy are recommended. Participants should dress practically for an interactive cooking session in a home kitchen setting.

Can I Request a Specific Menu or Customize the Dishes?

Yes, participants can typically request a specific menu or customize the dishes during the cooking class. The chefs are usually accommodating and happy to tailor the menu to participants’ preferences and dietary requirements.

Recap

This half-day Thai cooking class offers an immersive culinary experience.

Participants will explore a local market, then learn to prepare authentic dishes under the guidance of an expert chef.

The small-group setting ensures personalized attention as they cook a variety of stir-fried dishes, soups, appetizers, curries, and a delectable sticky rice with mango dessert.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to discover the vibrant flavors of Thai cuisine.

You can check availability for your dates here: