Chiang Mai: Thai & Akha Cooking Class with Market Tour

Summary

Learn Akha & Thai recipes in Chiang Mai’s kitchen with locals

You’ll shop at a real Chiang Mai market with your guide before learning to cook Thai and Akha dishes in an open-air kitchen. Try your hand at spring rolls, curries, desserts like mango sticky rice — all adapted if you need vegetarian or gluten-free options. Expect laughter, local stories, and flavors that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The van picked me up right outside my guesthouse in Chiang Mai — I was still half-awake, honestly, but the city already smelled like breakfast. Our guide, Dao, greeted everyone with that quick smile you see a lot here. She led us straight into the local market, where the air felt thick with steam and something sharp — lemongrass maybe? I tried to keep up as she pointed out odd-looking roots and let us taste tiny bits of fruit. I’ll never forget the look on one vendor’s face when I tried to pronounce “makrut lime.” Dao just laughed and handed me a sticky rice ball instead.

Back at the kitchen (it’s open-air, with fans humming), we each got our own little station. The chef — he’s Akha, born in the hills north of here — told us about his family’s way of cooking. There was this chili sauce called Sapi Thong that nearly made my eyes water (in a good way). We chopped and pounded and stirred; I was surprised how much I enjoyed making spring rolls from scratch. My hands smelled like garlic for hours after. Everyone chose their own curry and soup — I went for green curry and Tom Kha Gai, mostly because they sounded fun to say.

I didn’t expect dessert to be my favorite part but mango sticky rice is just… different here. Maybe it’s the coconut milk or maybe it’s just being surrounded by chatter and all these new smells. Someone asked about vegan options and they adjusted everything without blinking. At some point, someone spilled coconut milk everywhere and nobody cared; we all just laughed while Dao mopped it up. It felt easy, you know?

On the ride back through Chiang Mai traffic, I kept flipping through the little cookbook they gave us (full color photos!). Not sure if my home kitchen will ever smell like that again but I still think about that chili sauce sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Thai and Akha cooking experience

• Join morning market tour
• Learn to prepare Papaya Salad and Fried Spring Rolls
• Cook three Akha dishes including chili sauce, salad, and soup
• Choose and cook one curry and curry paste
• Choose and cook one soup
• Choose and cook one stir-fried dish
• Make two desserts: Mango Sticky Rice and Pumpkin in Coconut Milk

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Chiang Mai cooking class?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included within 3 km of Chiang Mai city center.

Do I get to visit a local market during the cooking class?

The morning class includes a guided tour of a local market before cooking starts.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available?

Yes, all recipes can be adapted for vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diets.

Can children or infants join this Thai & Akha cooking class?

Yes, infants and small children can attend; prams or strollers are welcome.

Is this cooking class wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

What dishes will I learn to cook?

You’ll make appetizers like papaya salad and spring rolls, choose your own curry and soup, plus desserts such as mango sticky rice.

Is there an evening class option?

Yes, there’s an evening session focused on cooking (no market tour), ideal if you want your first home-cooked Thai dinner in Thailand.

Do I get a recipe book to take home?

Yes, you’ll receive a full-color cookbook with all recipes from the class.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within central Chiang Mai, a guided local market tour if you choose the morning session, your own individual cooking station in an open-air kitchen setting, fresh Akha Hill Tribe coffee to sip between dishes, plus a full-color recipe book so you can try these Thai & Akha classics back home.