Bangkok: Thai Cooking Class & Local Market Walk Maliwan

Summary

Bangkok flavors, market strolls and cooking with Maliwan’s stories

You’ll walk through a lively Bangkok market for fresh ingredients, then cook classic Thai dishes side-by-side with Maliwan in her cozy kitchen. Expect laughter over language mix-ups, hands-on help slicing herbs, and lunch you’ll remember long after you leave. It’s relaxed but personal—a taste of real Thai life.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the wet tiles under my feet to wake me up faster than my coffee, but that’s how our Thai cooking class in Bangkok started—right at the local market. Maliwan, our instructor, waved us over with a grin and pointed out bunches of holy basil and lemongrass I’d only ever seen in recipes. There was this sharp green scent everywhere, mixed with something frying from a nearby stall. She taught us to say “kaffir lime” in Thai—I tried and got it wrong twice. Li laughed anyway.

Back at the kitchen (it’s just a short walk from the market), Maliwan handed out aprons and showed us how to slice galangal without losing fingers. The space was small but bright, with fans humming overhead and everyone bumping elbows a bit—felt like being part of someone’s home kitchen more than a class. We made pad thai first; I still remember the sizzle when my noodles hit the wok. Maliwan watched closely but let me mess up once before stepping in. Lunch tasted better because we’d done it ourselves—spicy, sweet, sticky rice on the side.

I took home printed recipes (plus an e-certificate that made me laugh—my handwriting on it is awful). The whole thing felt casual but thoughtful—Maliwan checked about allergies early on and made sure everyone had what they needed. I keep thinking about that moment when she let us taste fish sauce straight from her spoon—salty, almost smoky—and just smiled as we made faces. If you want something real in Bangkok, this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Thai cooking class with market visit

• Visit local market for ingredients
• Attend small-group cooking class
• Learn to prepare traditional Thai food

Top questions

Is the Thai cooking class suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

Yes, dietary restrictions like vegetarian or vegan can be accommodated if informed within 2 hours of booking.

How do I get to the cooking class location in Bangkok?

The location is accessible by public transportation; details are provided after booking.

What does the day trip include?

The class includes all ingredients and equipment, a local market visit, welcome drink, rice serving, printed recipes, tuition fee, and an e-certificate.

Can children join the cooking class?

The minimum age is 13 years old for participants.

What should I wear to the market visit?

Wear sturdy closed shoes that can get dirty—the market can be wet and muddy.

Will I get recipes to take home?

Yes, printed recipes are included so you can cook at home later.

What happens if I arrive late?

If you arrive an hour late or more, you’ll be considered a no-show and can’t join the rest of the class.

What’s included

Your day includes all ingredients and equipment for every dish you’ll make together; a guided local market visit for fresh produce; a welcome drink when you arrive; printed recipes to take home; rice served with your meal; tuition fees covered; plus an e-certificate of completion when you finish cooking.