Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Penang: Market & Kitchen

Cook Indian curries, flatbreads and rice dishes under live instruction in a Penang kitchen.

An authentic Indian cooking class in Penang that starts with a morning market tour, includes breakfast, and teaches you to prepare dishes like Roti Canai, curry masala, biryani rice, and dosa over 4 to 5 hours with a live guide in English or Malay. The session is flexible and can be adjusted for private bookings or group requests.

The experience

The class opens at the market, where you walk through the morning routine alongside local vendors and traders. You see the ingredients as they are sold (spices, fresh produce, flatbread dough, coconut), and hear the rhythm of the place before you cook with any of it. Breakfast comes next, a chance to taste what you are about to learn to make.

Then you move into the kitchen at Penang Chiak for hands-on instruction. The focus is spice work: how to blend, toast, grind and layer flavors so that each dish tastes right. You make several dishes across the session: Roti Canai or Chapati (the flatbread), a curry masala with chicken or lamb, biryani rice cooked in ghee, dosa (the South Indian pancake), and a vegetarian set on banana leaves. You also prepare a traditional drink like Badam Milk or Masala Tea, and a pudding like Kheer. The guide walks you through technique on each one, and you do the work yourself.

The session runs 4 to 5 hours and is flexible. You can request a private reservation or adjust the schedule to fit your plans. A live guide speaks English or Malay throughout, and the space is wheelchair accessible with nearby public transport.

What’s included

• Morning market tour.
• breakfast.
• hands-on cooking instruction in spice work and technique.
• preparation of multiple dishes including flatbreads, curries, rice, and traditional drinks.
• live guide in English or Malay.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 13:30

Book up to16h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Malay

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Penang Chiak Cooking Classes

Is this one for you?Book a private session if you want the class tailored to your group's pace and preferences. The flexible schedule means you can adjust the timing to fit the rest of your day in Penang.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Malay.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What dishes do I actually cook in the class?

You make several: Roti Canai or Chapati (flatbread), curry masala with chicken or lamb, biryani rice, dosa, a vegetarian set on banana leaves, a traditional drink like Badam Milk or Masala Tea, and a pudding like Kheer. The menu can include Pani Puree, fried bitter gourd, and other dishes depending on the session.

Does the class start at the market or in the kitchen?

It starts at the market in the morning, where you walk through the local vendors and see the ingredients traders sell. After breakfast, you move to the kitchen at Penang Chiak for the hands-on cooking instruction.

Can I book this as a private class for my group?

Yes, the sessions are flexible and can be adjusted for private reservations or group bookings. You can request a schedule that fits your plans.