You’ll touch real Thai ingredients at Asok market (morning only), chop and cook alongside locals in an air-conditioned kitchen, then share four classic dishes—including Pad Thai and mango sticky rice—around the table. Expect laughter, new flavors on your tongue, and maybe a few sticky fingers by the end.
The first thing I noticed was the smell—lemongrass, fish sauce, something sweet hanging in the air as we squeezed into House of Taste’s kitchen in Bangkok. Our guide, P’Nok, grinned at us like she already knew we’d mess up our first papaya salad. We’d just come from the Asok market (only for the morning class—worth waking up early), where she let me try to pronounce “kapi” and then burst out laughing when I said it wrong. The market was noisy and full of colors—tiny eggplants, chili piles, herbs I couldn’t name even after she told me twice. My hands still smelled faintly of kaffir lime leaves hours later.
Back at the school, everything felt easygoing. Air conditioning humming, people chatting in a mix of English and Thai as we chopped and pounded things together. I didn’t expect to enjoy smashing garlic with a mortar so much—it’s weirdly satisfying. P’Nok showed us how to get the noodles just sticky enough for Pad Thai (not too wet or you’ll hear about it). She kept sneaking tastes from our pots and making these little faces if it needed more salt or lime. When someone asked about vegetarian options, she nodded like it was no big deal—just swapped out the shrimp for tofu without fuss.
I’m still thinking about that first spoonful of green curry—spicy but not too much, coconut creamy, rice soaking up every bit. We all sat down together at a long table to eat what we made (four dishes each!), laughing about who burned their spring rolls or whose mango sticky rice looked “artistic.” If you do the afternoon or evening class instead of the market tour, you get to carve mangoes instead—I saw some masterpieces on display that made my attempt look like a potato.
No, hotel pickup is not included; you'll need to make your own way to House of Taste Thai Cooking School.
You’ll make four dishes: an appetizer or soup (like Tom Yum Goong), Pad Thai or stir-fried noodles, a curry with chicken (green/red/Panang/Massaman), and mango sticky rice.
Yes, substitute ingredients are available for vegetarian, halal, kosher diets or allergies—just mention your needs when booking.
No; only morning classes include the Asok market visit. Afternoon and evening classes have mango carving instead.
The experience usually lasts around 3-4 hours including cooking and eating time.
Yes; children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Child rates apply when sharing with two paying adults.
No special equipment is needed; just wear comfortable shoes since there’s some walking involved during the market visit.
Yes; public transportation options are nearby for easy access to the school.
Your day includes all taxes and fees covered, cold and hot drinking water throughout, four cooked dishes you’ll eat together at lunch or dinner time depending on your slot, personal locker space for your stuff so nothing gets lost while you’re chopping away—and they send you home with printed recipes so you can try again later (maybe with less chaos).
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