My Honest Review of the Best Cooking Class in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Looking for the best cooking class in Chiang Mai? You’ve come to the right place!

No trip to Chiang Mai is complete without diving into its rich culture, and that includes taking a local cooking class.

We had the chance to learn the secrets of Thai cuisine on a beautiful Thai farm, and it was an unforgettable experience.

In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know about the top cooking class in Chiang Mai, where you can learn to make classic dishes like Thai yellow curry and mango sticky rice.

Plus, you’ll get a detailed review of our own experience at the Thai farm cooking school. Ready to start cooking? Let’s dive in!

Which Cooking Classes to Choose in Chiang Mai?

We went for a cooking course at the Thai Farm Cooking School, which was ranked #1 on TripAdvisor at the time. And honestly, it’s easy to see why.

Not only did we dive into the secrets of traditional Thai cooking, but we also got to explore a local organic farm, learn about the plants they grow, and pick fresh ingredients for our dishes.

The one-day course costs 1500 baht per person, which covers refreshing drinks (like water and lemongrass tea), papaya salad, jasmine rice, six dishes of your choice, and a handy cookbook to take home.

Exploring Ruamchook Market

Our day at the Thai farm begins with a visit to the Ruamchook market.

Since our hotel is located in the center of Chiang Mai, a special bus picks us up around 8:30-9:00 AM, gathering all course participants.

On the way, we stop at the local Ruamchook market, where our culinary adventure begins.

Here, our teacher, Yummy, shared some great insights on the importance of rice in Thai cuisine, how to make fresh coconut milk, and the secret to picking the perfect spices for each dish.

After a quick intro, we had some free time to wander around the stalls, snap a few photos, and check out what the local vendors had to offer.

Exploring the Organic Farm During a Cooking Class in Chiang Mai

After our market visit, we hopped on the bus to head to an eco-friendly farm, where our cooking stations were ready and waiting.

But before we got to cooking, our guide welcomed us with a refreshing tea and took us on a quick tour of the farm.

Surrounded by beautiful mountain views and peaceful nature, we couldn’t help but feel like we’d been transported to the countryside.

Our instructor, Yummy, gave us an insightful look into the farm’s organic practices, highlighting how they grow everything without chemicals.

It was amazing to see the plants up close-from the vibrant lemongrass to the towering papaya trees.

Knowing that everything was 100% organic made us feel confident that the ingredients we’d be cooking with would be not just healthier, but also full of flavor.

Cooking Time!

After harvesting the fresh herbs right from the garden, we jumped into the cooking lesson.

The setting couldn’t have been more perfect-an open-air terrace with a peaceful view of a pond, where we’d later enjoy the dishes we made.

With our expert teacher guiding us, we started by learning the proper way to prepare jasmine rice and the classic sticky rice.

Next, at our own cooking stations, we began preparing the curry paste (red, green, or yellow) in the mortar-a key element for our first dish: chicken curry.

With clear guidance, each of us crafted a soup of our choice, a stir-fry, noodles, and a dessert-ending up with a total of six dishes, including the curry paste.

Here’s a sneak peek at the dishes we learned to prepare and cook:

• Red and Yellow Curry Paste
• Red and Yellow Curry
• Tom Yam Soup with Shrimps
• Tom Kaa Gai Soup with Coconut Milk and Chicken
• Stir-Fry Chicken with Cashew Nuts
• Stir-Fry Chicken with Holy Basil
• Spring Rolls with Thai Dip
• Pad Thai
• Mango Sticky Rice
• Bananas in Coconut Milk

How to Make Coconut Soup with Chicken (Tom Kaa Gai)

Ingredients:

• 100 grams of sliced chicken

• 1 cup of coconut milk

• 1/2 cup of water

• 1/4 cup of chopped galangal

• 1 stem of lemon grass (cut into 2.5 cm pieces)

• 1/4 cup of sliced tomatoes

• 1/2 cup of sliced mushrooms

• 1-5 crashed bird eye’s chilli peppers

• 2-3 leaves of kaffir

• 1 stem of chopped onion chives

• 1 coriander stalk

• 2 teaspoons of lime juice

• 1 tablespoon of fish or soy sauce

• 1/2 teaspoon of sugar

• 2 chopped shallots

• pinch of salt

Preparation:

Here’s how to make the broth: Start by pouring water into a saucepan and adding lemongrass, galangal, shallots, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Bring it to a boil. Then, add coconut milk, chicken, and bird’s eye chili peppers.

Season with fish sauce, sugar, and salt, and mix well. Once the chicken is cooked, add coriander, kaffir lime leaves, and onion. Finally, add lime juice. The soup should be creamy, salty, and slightly sour.

How to Make Chicken with Thai Basil (Phad Kaprao Gai)

Ingredients:

• 100 grams of chopped or minced chicken

• 2 tablespoons of oil

• 3 cloves of crushed garlic

• 1/3 cup of chopped long bean (or green bean root)

• 2-3 bird eye’s chilli peppers

• 1 cup of holy basil leaves

• 1 tablespoon of fish sauce

• 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce

• 1/2 teaspoon of sugar

• 1/4 cup of chopped onion

• 3 tablespoons of water

Preparation:

Start by heating oil in a wok over low heat. Once it’s hot, add garlic, onion, bird’s eye chili peppers, and chicken. Stir until fragrant and the chicken is cooked through.

Next, toss in long beans (or green bean sprouts), fish sauce, sugar, and oyster sauce. Add a splash of water and mix everything well.

Finally, stir in Thai basil leaves and give it one more mix. Serve with rice for a delicious, flavorful meal.

How to Make Yellow Curry with Chicken (Kaeng Ka Ri Gai)

Ingredients for curry paste:

• 1 red dried chilli pepper (soaked in water for 20 minutes and chopped)

• 2 red dried bird eye’s chilli peppers

• 1 tablespoon of chopped shallots

• 1 teaspoon of sliced galangal

• 1 tablespoon of sliced lemon grass

• 2 cloves of crushed garlic

• 1/4 teaspoon of roasted cumin seeds

• 1/4 teaspoon of roasted coriander seeds

• 1 teaspoon of chopped turmeric

• 1 teaspoon of yellow curry powder

Other ingredients:

• 70 grams of sliced chicken

• 1 cup of coconut milk

• 1 cup of water

• 1 cup of chopped boiled potatoes

• 1 tablespoon of fish sauce or soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon of sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon of salt

• 5 leaves of sweet basil

• 1 red chilli pepper (for garnish)

Preparation of curry paste:

Place all the ingredients into the mortar and pound them carefully until the paste becomes smooth.

Preparation of curry:

Heat 5 teaspoons of coconut milk in a saucepan. Add 1 tablespoon of oil, then stir in the curry paste and turn the heat to medium. Fry until the fragrance is released. Next, add the chicken and potatoes.

Pour in the remaining coconut milk and water. Increase the heat and add sugar, fish sauce, and salt. Stir well. Once everything is cooked, add sweet basil and kaffir lime leaves. Season to taste and garnish with chopped red chili peppers.

The curry should have a slightly salty, creamy, and spicy flavor.

How to Make Mango Sticky Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of steamed sticky rice*

• 1/2 cup of coconut milk

• 1 ripe mango (peel and slice into pieces)

• 1-2 tablespoons of palm or brown sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon of salt

• 1 tablespoon of roasted mung beans

• 1 pandan leaf (chopped 2.5 cm long)

* Before steaming, soak the sticky rice for at least 4 hours (overnight is best) in water. After soaking, rinse it 2 times with fresh water.

Then, place it in the steamer and cook for about 30 minutes until soft. Once done, keep it covered to prevent it from drying out and hardening.

Preparation:

Add coconut milk and pandan leaf to a saucepan. Heat until it reaches a boil, then turn off the heat and remove the pandan leaf. Reserve 2 tablespoons of coconut milk and set aside. Transfer the rest to a bowl.

Add palm sugar and salt, mixing well. Stir in the steamed sticky rice and combine thoroughly.

Serve on a plate, sprinkle with mung beans, and top with the reserved coconut milk. Pair with ripe mango for the perfect finishing touch.

Tasting Food During a Cooking Class in Chiang Mai

Eating our freshly prepared dishes on the terrace, surrounded by beautiful natural views, was definitely the best part of the day. Each bite was packed with flavor, and we felt completely satisfied.

Our favorites were the savory stir-fried chicken with Thai holy basil and the classic pad thai, which reminded us of the famous flavors at Thip Samai Restaurant in Bangkok.

A lot of people were so full after the meal that they decided to take some dishes back to their hotel to enjoy later.

We really enjoyed every moment and taste. It was also a great chance to connect with people from all over the world, adding to the fun and cultural vibe of our time in Chiang Mai.

Is a Cooking Class in Chiang Mai Worth It?

Our experience at Thai Farm Cooking School was absolutely worth it.

We highly recommend this school for anyone looking to dive into the world of Thai cuisine, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook.

Throughout the course, we learned how to make perfect curry paste, aromatic pad thai, and tasty stir-fry chicken-skills we’ve already brought back to our kitchen in Poland.

But it wasn’t just about the recipes; we realized that true culinary success is about more than just cooking-it’s about finding joy in the process and sharing a meal with others.

With the guidance of our amazing instructor, Yummy, we also learned how to balance the difference between tourist-level spice and authentic Thai heat. This cooking class is a must-do!

A Review of Best Cooking Class in Chiang Mai: Conclusions

The cooking class in Chiang Mai is a fantastic chance to learn how to make Thai classics while enjoying the company of like-minded people.

It’s a unique experience that lets you dive deep into the secrets of Thai cuisine and understand where the key ingredients come from.

If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with your friends.

And if you’ve already taken a cooking class in Thailand, drop your recommendations in the comments below so others can benefit from your experience!

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