Chiang Mai: Evening Thai Cooking Class & Market Tour Farm

Summary

Evening Chiang Mai cooking class with organic farm walk and market

You’ll wander Chiang Mai’s lively market with a local guide before heading to an open-air organic farm for a hands-on Thai cooking class. Pick fresh herbs right from the garden, cook six classic dishes at your own station, then share stories over dinner as dusk settles in. Expect laughter, new flavors, and memories that stick around long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

“Don’t rush the basil — let it wake up first,” our teacher said, grinning as she crushed the leaves between her palms. I’d never really paid attention to how herbs smell when they’re just picked. We started in Somphet Market, where the air felt thick with chili and something sweet I couldn’t place (maybe jackfruit?). Our guide, Li, pointed out these tiny eggplants that looked like green marbles — she laughed when I tried to say their name in Thai. Pretty sure I got it wrong but she just smiled wider.

The drive out of Chiang Mai was only about twenty minutes, but it felt like we’d landed somewhere slower. The farm was all open air and you could actually hear frogs if you listened past the chatter. We wandered through rows of lemongrass and mint — I kept brushing my fingers along the leaves without thinking about it. There’s something about dirt under your nails that makes food taste different, or maybe that’s just me.

Cooking was messy in the best way. My wok sizzled so loud I jumped at first (everyone did), but after a while it felt good to just go for it. Making curry paste from scratch took more muscle than I expected — my arm was sore halfway through but nobody cared if you were slow. Li showed us how to taste for balance, adding fish sauce drop by drop. It was almost dark by the time we sat down together to eat what we made; someone’s mango sticky rice looked like a disaster but tasted perfect anyway.

I still think about that papaya salad — bright and sharp and nothing like what I’ve had back home. The group photo at the end is blurry because we were laughing too much (I blinked). On the ride back into town, my hands still smelled like lime leaves and smoke from the fire kitchen. Not sure those smells will ever really leave my memory.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Market tour and Thai cooking class

• Visit Somphet Market in Chiang Mai
• Hand-pick fresh ingredients at organic farm
• Learn to make authentic curry paste
• Cook six traditional Thai dishes
• Watch papaya salad and mango sticky rice demo
• Enjoy freshly cooked meal
• Take group picture

Top questions

How far is the cooking school from Chiang Mai city center?

The school is located 13 kilometers from central Chiang Mai, about a 20-minute drive by van.

Does this Thai cooking class include transportation?

Yes, van pickup is included for guests attending the evening cooking class near Chiang Mai.

Is the kitchen area wheelchair accessible?

Yes, both transportation options and kitchen facilities are wheelchair accessible.

What dishes do you make during this Chiang Mai cooking class?

You’ll learn to prepare six dishes including curry paste, papaya salad, and mango sticky rice.

Do you get a recipe book after the class?

Yes, a colored recipe book is provided so you can recreate dishes at home.

Are children or infants allowed on this tour?

Infants and small children are welcome; prams or strollers can be used during the tour.

Is there WiFi available at the cooking school?

Yes, free WiFi is available on site for guests during their visit.

What’s included

Your evening includes van pickup from Chiang Mai city, a guided stroll through Somphet Market to select ingredients, time exploring an organic farm where many herbs are grown onsite, use of your own clean cooking station in an open-air kitchen, all necessary utensils and ingredients for six dishes (including curry paste), coffee or tea during your meal together, plus a colorful recipe book to take home afterward before returning to town.