Chiang Mai: Rice Barn Thai Cooking Class & Farm Tour

Summary

Thai flavors come alive in Chiang Mai’s countryside kitchens

You’ll cook classic Thai dishes from scratch in Chiang Mai’s countryside, guided by locals who make you feel right at home. Shop fresh ingredients at a real market, get your own kitchen station, and share laughter over homemade green curry or pad thai before relaxing with mango sticky rice under open skies.

What’s the experience like?

“Don’t worry if you burn the garlic — everyone does the first time,” our instructor said, grinning as we fumbled with the wok. The morning started with a pickup right from our guesthouse in Chiang Mai, which honestly felt like a small miracle since I’m hopeless with directions. We drove out past the city’s edges, rice paddies flickering by, and I could already smell something green and sharp on the breeze before we even got to the Rice Barn Thai Cooking Farm.

Our local guide, Li, led us through a tiny market first — not touristy at all. She pointed at bunches of basil and let us sniff everything (I still can’t get over how lemongrass smells when it’s just been snapped). I tried to say “khao niao” for sticky rice and totally butchered it; Li laughed but didn’t make me feel stupid. Back at the barn, each of us got our own station — no awkward sharing or waiting around. The kitchen was open-air, so you’d hear birds and sometimes someone’s phone buzzing in a pocket. It made things feel casual instead of staged.

I picked green curry for my main dish — honestly had no idea it was that much pounding with the mortar. My arms were jelly after five minutes but somehow it tasted different than anything I’ve had back home. There was this moment stirring coconut milk where everything went quiet except for the soft clatter of spoons and the smell of lime leaves rising up in the steam. Lunch was whatever we cooked ourselves (so yeah, some dishes looked better than others), plus mango sticky rice that was almost too pretty to eat.

By the end I had oil on my shirt and maybe more confidence than skill, but Li said that’s normal. We sat around drinking tea with hands still smelling faintly of chili and basil. The ride back to Chiang Mai felt slower — maybe because I didn’t want it to end just yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hands-on Thai cooking experience

• Visit local market with instructor
• Prepare Thai Hot and Sour Prawn Soup
• Cook Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts
• Choose and make Green or Panang Curry
• Prepare Pad Thai dish
• Make Mango with Sticky Rice dessert

Top questions

What dishes do you learn to cook at Rice Barn Thai Cooking Farm?

You’ll prepare dishes like hot & sour prawn soup, fried chicken with cashew nuts, green curry or panang curry (choose one), pad thai, and mango sticky rice.

Is pickup included for this Chiang Mai cooking class?

Yes, pickup from your accommodation in Chiang Mai is included.

Do you get your own cooking station during the class?

Yes, each person has their own hands-on cooking station—no sharing required.

Are ingredients provided for the Thai cooking class?

All food ingredients and materials are provided as part of your experience.

Does this tour include a visit to a local market?

Yes, there’s a guided walk through a local market before cooking begins.

Is lunch included in this Chiang Mai cooking experience?

You eat what you cook—lunch is included as part of your class.

How long does the Rice Barn Thai Cooking Farm class last?

The activity is offered as either a morning or evening session; exact duration may vary but expect several hours including transfers.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip pickup from your Chiang Mai hotel or guesthouse, all fresh ingredients and materials for cooking classic Thai dishes like green curry or pad thai, use of an individual kitchen station at the countryside farm kitchen, coffee or tea breaks throughout, plus plenty of time to enjoy your homemade meal before heading back into town.