Phuket: Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour & Lunch

Summary

Hands-on Thai recipes, Phuket market flavors, cook & eat together

You’ll taste your way through a local Phuket market before learning to cook classic Thai dishes like Tom Yum soup and curry from scratch. With your own cooking station and guidance from a friendly local chef, you’ll chop, stir, and laugh alongside new friends—and enjoy a homemade lunch together before heading back with recipes (and probably some garlic on your fingers).

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell—lemongrass and something sweet, maybe mango? We’d barely made it past the market stalls in Phuket when our guide VJ handed me a tiny wedge of dragon fruit. I was still chewing (it’s softer than I expected) when she pointed out bundles of kaffir lime leaves, explaining how to tell if they’re fresh. Li laughed when I tried to say “galangal” in Thai—probably butchered it. The market wasn’t loud exactly, but there was this hum of people chatting and vendors calling out prices. I liked that nobody rushed us.

Back at the kitchen, everyone got their own station—no fighting over spatulas here. VJ explained each step but didn’t hover; she let us mess up a bit (my curry paste took forever to grind). There was this moment when I realized my hands smelled like garlic and chili and I just stopped for a second—never thought about how much scent sticks with you after cooking. The kitchen was cool (thank god for AC), but outside you could hear scooters going by now and then. We made Tom Yum soup first—mine came out too spicy but nobody seemed to mind.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much while making Phad Thai noodles or that mango sticky rice would be so easy once someone showed you. Lunch felt like a family meal even though we’d all met two hours before. VJ told stories about her grandmother’s recipes while we ate what we cooked (and packed up leftovers because there’s always too much). Recipes landed in my inbox later that night—now every time I see limes at home, I think about that day in Phuket.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Thai cooking class with market tour

• Free transportation pickup
• Visit local market and taste fruits
• Learn about Thai ingredients
• Make curry paste from scratch
• Chop and cook dishes yourself
• Prepare Tom Yum Soup and Phad Thai
• Cook Red or Green Curry and sticky rice
• Make Pineapple Fried Rice
• Enjoy your freshly cooked meal

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for the Phuket Thai cooking class?

Yes, free round-trip transfer is included from Kata, Kata Noi, Karon, Patong, Rawai, and Naiharn areas (minimum 2 people).

What dishes do you learn to cook in the class?

Dishes include Tom Yum soup, Phad Thai noodles, curry (red or green), mango sticky rice, and more depending on the day.

Is there a market tour included?

Yes, classes with the market tour include a visit to a local market for ingredient tasting and shopping.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available?

Yes, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and halal classes are available if you let them know in advance.

Do I get my own cooking station?

Yes, everyone has their own private cooking station during the class.

Will recipes be provided after the class?

Yes, all recipes will be emailed to you after the class.

How long does the cooking class last?

The reference doesn’t specify exact duration but includes both market tour and hands-on cooking with lunch or dinner.

Is bottled water provided during the class?

Yes, unlimited bottled water is available throughout the course.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup from select Phuket beaches if you’re at least two people booking together; all ingredients for cooking; your own clean private station; unlimited bottled water plus tea or coffee; fruit tasting during the market tour; full lunch or dinner with what you’ve cooked; light refreshments; plus all recipes emailed afterward so you can try them again at home.