You’ll join a small group in Bangkok for an evening Thai cooking class where you’ll chop, pound, taste, and laugh your way through classics like Tom Yum Kung and green curry. Guided by a local chef (with plenty of jokes), you’ll finish with a homemade dinner including mango sticky rice. It’s hands-on, relaxed, and full of those little moments you’ll want to bring home.
"You ever tried to pound curry paste by hand?" That’s what our instructor, Pim, asked as she handed me a mortar bigger than my head. I’d barely set foot in the Tingly Thai Cooking School before the scents hit me — lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, something spicy that made my nose tingle. We were a small group (there was a couple from Melbourne who kept joking about their lack of knife skills), and Pim switched easily between English and Thai, sometimes teasing us when we mixed up ingredients. The light outside faded fast — Bangkok evenings do that — but inside it was all clatter and laughter.
First up was Tom Yum Kung. Pim showed us how to bruise the galangal just right — not too hard or you’ll lose the flavor, she said. I got lime juice on my fingers and kept sniffing them like an idiot because it smelled so fresh. The soup came together quickly but tasted like it took hours; spicy-sour with those prawns floating on top. Next was Pad Thai Kung, which honestly I thought would be easy until the noodles started sticking everywhere. Pim didn’t judge — just laughed and showed me how to toss them properly.
The main event was curry (green for us since it was Friday). Grinding chilies by hand is no joke — my arms still remember it — but there’s something satisfying about making your own paste instead of using the jarred stuff back home. Everyone got their own station, so you could go at your own pace. Dinner felt more like a family meal than a class; we sat around sharing bites and stories while the city buzzed somewhere outside. Mango sticky rice for dessert — sweet, salty, soft — I’m still thinking about it days later.
The evening class starts at 18:00 (6:00 pm) and ends at 21:00 (9:00 pm).
Yes, you eat everything you cook during the class as your dinner.
Yes, vegetarian options are available upon request.
You’ll make Tom Yum Kung (spicy prawn soup), Pad Thai Kung (fried noodles with prawns), one chicken curry (type depends on day), and mango sticky rice.
No hotel pickup is included; you need to get to the school yourself.
Yes, classes are led in both English and Thai by local instructors.
Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible.
Infants can attend if seated on an adult’s lap or in a stroller/pram; children are welcome.
Your evening includes all recipes taught by your English-Thai speaking guide, bottled water throughout the session, use of kitchen equipment for every dish from Tom Yum Kung to mango sticky rice, plus a full dinner made by your own hands before heading out into the Bangkok night again.
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