Bangkok: Thai Cooking Class & Morning Market Tour

Summary

Bangkok morning market walk then cook Tom Yum & Pad Thai together

You’ll start with a lively Bangkok market tour to pick out fresh herbs and spices before returning to Tingly Thai Cooking School for hands-on lessons in dishes like Tom Yum Kung, Pad Thai, curry, and mango sticky rice. Expect laughs with your guide, plenty of tasting along the way, and recipes you’ll want to try again back home.

What’s the experience like?

We were already halfway down the aisles at Wat Kheak fresh market when I realized how much I’d underestimated the smell of lemongrass — it’s sharper, almost citrusy, and our guide May kept handing us leaves and roots to sniff. She laughed when I tried to pronounce “galangal” (I still don’t think I got it right). The vendors were busy but friendly, slicing jackfruit or just waving us over to see their baskets of herbs. It was noisy but in that way that feels alive — scooters humming past, someone calling out prices, a quick drizzle that made everything smell even greener.

Back at Tingly Thai Cooking School, we washed our hands and got straight into pounding curry paste. My arms honestly got tired faster than I thought they would — May said that’s normal. We took turns grinding chilies and garlic while she explained why you never rush this part. The kitchen was bright and open, with little bowls lined up for each ingredient. Making Pad Thai was less scary than I expected; the noodles stuck together at first but loosened up after a minute in the wok. There was a moment when the scent of fish sauce hit the pan and everyone stopped talking for half a second — not bad, just strong. We cooked Tom Yum Kung too, and the broth had this heat that crept up on you instead of hitting all at once.

I’m not sure if my green curry looked exactly right (the color was a little off?), but it tasted good enough that nobody left any behind. May showed us how to slice mango for sticky rice so it actually looks pretty — mine still ended up lopsided but whatever, it tasted sweet and cold against the warm rice. Eating what we’d made together felt different from just ordering at a restaurant; there’s something about seeing all those raw ingredients turn into real food with your own hands. Even now, sometimes I catch a whiff of kaffir lime leaves somewhere random and think back to that morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Thai cooking class and market tour

• Meet at Tingly Thai Cooking School
• Tour Wat Kheak fresh Market
• Learn about Thai ingredients
• Return to cooking school
• Make curry paste and cook dishes
• Enjoy the prepared Thai meal
• End class at noon

Top questions

Is this Thai cooking class suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, vegetarian options are available during the class.

Where does the morning market tour take place?

The market tour is held at Wat Kheak fresh market in Bangkok.

What time does the cooking class start?

The meeting time is 8:30 am at Tingly Thai Cooking School.

How long does the cooking class last?

The class runs from 8:30 am until around 12:00 pm.

Are children allowed in the cooking class?

Infants and small children can join if accompanied by an adult; strollers are allowed.

Is transportation wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

What dishes will we cook during the class?

You’ll make Tom Yum Kung, Pad Thai with prawns, curry (varies by day), and mango sticky rice.

Do we get recipes after finishing?

Yes, you receive a recipe book after completing the class.

What’s included

Your morning includes a guided walk through Wat Kheak fresh market to select ingredients, all necessary equipment at Tingly Thai Cooking School, instruction from an English-speaking local guide, four classic Thai dishes to prepare yourself (with vegetarian options if needed), plus a recipe book to take home after lunch together.