Chiang Mai: Thai Cooking Class with Hands-On Dishes & Lunch

Summary

Learn Thai dishes in Chiang Mai’s kitchen with locals guiding you

You’ll step into a Chiang Mai kitchen and cook classic Thai dishes like Tom Yum soup and Pad Thai with a local teacher guiding every move. Feel the textures of fresh herbs as you prep curry paste by hand and share laughter over your first attempts at mango sticky rice. By the end you’ll have eaten your own creations — and maybe picked up a few new friends along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the sound — knives tapping against wooden boards, someone laughing in the back as we tied our aprons. The Tingly Thai Cooking School sits just off a busy Chiang Mai street, but inside it felt like a friend’s home. Our teacher, Nok, greeted us with a smile that made me relax right away (I was a bit nervous about my total lack of skill). She showed us how to crush lemongrass for Tom Yum — I didn’t expect the citrusy smell to hit so fast. It stuck to my fingers for hours.

We moved through each dish at our own pace. When I messed up my Pad Thai noodles (way too sticky), Nok just grinned and said, “No problem — more practice!” There was this easy rhythm: slice, stir, taste. Someone asked about kaffir lime leaves and Nok pulled one from her pocket — she carries them everywhere, apparently. The room filled with steam when we started the green curry; I could hear rain outside hitting the tin roof, soft but steady.

I’m not sure if my mango sticky rice looked right, but it tasted good enough that I forgot to be self-conscious. We all sat around eating what we’d made — strangers an hour ago, now swapping stories over bowls of soup. There was no rush to leave; even after class ended at 5pm, people lingered by the stove chatting about favorite foods back home. I still think about that sweet-salty coconut sauce sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Afternoon Thai cooking class

• Start class at 13:00
• Learn curry paste preparation
• Cook Tom Yum Kung soup
• Cook Pad Thai Kung noodles
• Cook chicken curry (varies by day)
• Prepare mango with sticky rice dessert
• Enjoy your cooked meal
• End class at 17:00

Top questions

What time does the Chiang Mai cooking class start?

The afternoon class starts at 1:00 pm and ends around 5:00 pm.

Is lunch included in this Thai cooking class?

Yes, you eat everything you cook during the class as your meal.

Which dishes do you learn to make?

You’ll prepare Tom Yum soup with prawns, Pad Thai with prawns, a chicken curry (varies by day), and mango sticky rice.

Is there a market tour included?

No, this afternoon session does not include a market visit.

Are vegetarian or other menu options available?

The reference mentions many menus to choose from; check directly for dietary needs.

Is the school accessible for wheelchairs or strollers?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible and infants can use prams or strollers.

Can children join the cooking class?

Infants can attend if seated on an adult’s lap; small children can ride in strollers.

Where is Tingly Thai Cooking School located?

The school is in Chiang Mai; exact address provided upon booking.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes hands-on instruction at Tingly Thai Cooking School in Chiang Mai with all ingredients provided for each dish. You’ll get expert guidance from local teachers as you prepare Tom Yum soup, Pad Thai noodles, chicken curry (green, red or panaeng depending on day), and finish with mango sticky rice — then enjoy everything as your meal before heading out into the evening air.