These best Thai cooking classes in Bangkok cover the very best classes the city has to offer, with many including visits to the local market too.
Bangkok, Thailand, is a culinary paradise for food lovers. As the capital of Thai cuisine, it’s a hub for people eager to learn the secrets behind dishes like Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, and Green Curry.
After living here for 4 years now, we love experimenting and learning how to make local dishes and have visited plenty of different classes in the city. Many offer slow-paced lessons and adapt their class to your skill level, ideal for those looking to experience more local things to do in Bangkok.
Here’s a rundown of the top Thai cooking classes in Bangkok that provide unique, immersive experiences in the heart of Thai cuisine.
Best Thai Cooking Classes in Bangkok
1. Baipai Thai Cooking School
Baipai Thai Cooking School is one of more popular Thai cooking classes in Bangkok, ideal for those seeking an authentic and relaxed learning environment. Located in a traditional Thai-style house, this school offers half-day classes in a serene, open-air kitchen, surrounded by lush greenery.
Baipai’s classes focus on traditional Thai dishes, covering essential techniques such as balancing flavors and creating fresh pastes. Classes include a trip to a local market to source ingredients, and students get to savor their creations with the rest of the group, making it a fantastic social experience as well.
2. The Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy
The Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy is an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned cooks. This academy is known for its wide range of classes, including intensive professional courses that span several weeks.
For travelers, the half-day classes are popular, focusing on teaching classic Thai dishes and culinary techniques. Market visits are included, allowing participants to learn about and select authentic Thai ingredients, so you can then pick up items yourself in places like Chatuchak market.
The academy is well-regarded for its engaging instructors who provide plenty of individual attention and insight into the cultural background of each dish. We love how professional and knowledgeable the instructors are, a great choice for those wanting to further their Thai cooking skills.
3. Sompong Thai Cooking School
Another one of the best Thai cooking classes in Bangkok is the Sompong Thai Cooking School. This combines food and culture, making it an excellent choice for tourists.
The school emphasizes cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from a local market visit that’s part of every class.
Daily classes are available, with different Thai menu items each day, meaning you could go multiple times in a week and still learn new dishes.
4. Silom Thai Cooking School
One of the most popular and accessible Thai cooking classes in Bangkok, Silom Thai Cooking School is located in the bustling Silom area.
This was our very first cooking class we attended when we first visited Bangkok in 2013! The groups are fairly small but the location is perfect for those staying in the touristy areas.
The class includes a visit to a nearby market to pick up your ingredients and you are talked through each element of the food prep; perfect for beginners.
5. Amita Thai Cooking Class
Amita Thai Cooking Class is an extraordinary experience thanks to its serene riverside setting and access to a private herb garden. Located along the Chao Phraya River, guests are transported to the cooking school by boat, adding an element of adventure.
This is one of our favorite Thai cooking classes in Bangkok, because of its charming location and event instructors.
There is a real focus on using fresh herbs and farm-to-table ingredients, making it a unique ce experience and a different type of class for visitors.
6. Blue Elephant Cooking School
Blue Elephant is a prestigious name in Thai cuisine, known globally for its restaurants and even packaged food items. The Thai cooking classes in Bangkok is situated in a century-old mansion and caters to an upscale clientele.
Classes include an introduction to Blue Elephant’s signature dishes, and attendees are encouraged to tailor recipes to their taste. The class includes a market tour, where the chef demonstrates how to select ingredients and negotiate with vendors.
With a strong focus on high-end techniques and flavors, Blue Elephant is perfect for foodies seeking refinement. This is a little more expensive than other classes on this list but worth it for those wanting to really understand the local cuisine.
7. Chef Leez Thai Cooking Class
Chef Leez Thai Cooking Class stands out for its emphasis on small class sizes, providing a personalized cooking experience.
Chef Leez, a certified Thai chef, leads the class with passion and attention to detail, helping each student understand the subtleties of Thai cooking.
The school prides itself on teaching from scratch, including techniques for grinding spices and creating sauces. This hands-on approach makes Chef Leez’s class suitable for those who want to dive deep into traditional methods.
8. Pink Chili
Pink Chili is a popular Thai cooking school in Bangkok, offering visitors and locals alike an immersive experience. This is a hidden gem in Bangkok, tucked away in the local On Nut Area. This means classes are small and prices are lower than other items mentioned on the list. This school has a very local feel to it, with a small kitchen and incredibly friendly instructors.
We experienced a private cooking class with the Thai chefs, who shared insights in the history and culture behind each dish too. The instructor also accommodated to our skill level and gave us options for which dish to cook.
9. House of Taste Thai Cooking School
For more Thai cooking classes in Bangkok, check out House of Taste Thai Cooking School. Classes here offer a warm and engaging environment where participants can learn the secrets of authentic Thai cooking.
Located just off Sukhumvit Road (near Nana BTS), this cooking school provides a unique experience for food enthusiasts in an easy-to-reach location.
First, you will visit a nearby market to pick up your ingredients and see the local life nearby. Back in the kitchen, participants are guided step-by-step through recipes for popular Thai dishes such as Pad Thai, Green Curry, and Tom Yum Soup, gaining hands-on experience in traditional cooking methods.
House of Taste Thai Cooking School accommodates all levels of culinary skill, creating a relaxed, friendly atmosphere for everyone from novices to seasoned cooks. By the end of the class, participants not only enjoy the delicious dishes they’ve prepared but also leave with newfound knowledge and a recipe booklet to recreate Thai flavors at home.
10. Arun Thai Cooking
Arun Thai Cooking is a culinary school in Bangkok dedicated to teaching the art of Thai cooking to visitors and locals alike.
Set in a welcoming, hands-on environment, Arun Thai Cooking offers an authentic experience that combines learning and cultural immersion. Classes are led by experienced Thai chefs who guide students through each step of creating classic Thai dishes, from flavorful curries to delicate stir-fries and refreshing salads.
Designed for cooks of all levels, Arun Thai Cooking ensures that everyone gains practical skills and confidence in the kitchen, as well as a deeper appreciation for Thai culinary traditions. Participants leave not only with delicious recipes to recreate at home but also with a memorable taste of Thai culture.
Interestingly, you can also take a class here on how to lay your table and display your food.
From traditional, riverside schools to modern studios run by Michelin-starred chefs, the city offers an incredible array of classes to suit every culinary taste and experience level. No matter which you choose, enjoy the flavors and don’t forget to bring home the recipes, so you can recreate the dishes at home.
Helpful Resources
Travel essentials:
- We LOVE this camera for our travel photography.
- For a cheap, easy and compact camera, we use this to vlog and take photographs.
- We use this travel drone (but make sure to check drone laws in your chosen destination first).
- This is our favourite travel insurance because it covers so many activities and travel situations that could arise on longer trips but also offer year coverage.
What to pack
- No matter where we travel to, I always take these trusty hand sanitizers and a mini first aid kit.
- We love these toiletry bags (especially great for smaller bathrooms) and choose a laptop bag like this as our hand luggage.
- We keep our devices charged on long travel days with these lightweight battery packs and bring these worldwide travel adaptors on all our trips.
- I still struggle not to overpack so stick to using an expandable suitcase like this and always take my trusty luggage scales to avoid being charged at the airport.
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