Chiang Mai: Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour

Chiang Mai, the cultural heart of northern Thailand, offers an immersive culinary experience that delves into the vibrant traditions of Thai cuisine. Set out on a guided tour through a local market, where you’ll handpick the freshest ingredients. Then, unleash your creativity by crafting a custom curry paste, blending aromatic herbs and spices using a mortar and pestle. As you prepare a variety of beloved Thai dishes, from fragrant curries to classic Pad Thai, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities and flavors that make Thai cuisine so captivating. The culmination of this hands-on experience awaits in the serene setting of an organic kitchen garden, where you’ll savor your culinary creations.

Key Points

• Hands-on Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai, teaching techniques like using a mortar and pestle to create custom curry paste.
• Visit to a local market to source fresh, organic ingredients for preparing authentic Thai dishes.
• Preparation of a variety of Thai specialties, including Pad Thai, chicken fried rice, and fragrant Thai curry.
• Opportunity to learn slicing, dicing, and cooking methods from experienced instructors.
• Dining in an organic kitchen garden, surrounded by lush greenery and savoring the freshly prepared Thai cuisine.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Itinerary and Highlights

The itinerary for this Chiang Mai experience begins with a hands-on cooking class that lasts 4.5 hours. Participants will visit a local market, cook a variety of Thai dishes, and create their own custom curry paste using a mortar and pestle. The class culminates with dining in an organic kitchen garden.

Other highlights include preparing dishes like Pad Thai, chicken fried rice, and sweet sticky rice with mango. This tour isn’t suitable for children under 5 or people over 95. With an impressive 4.9/5 rating based on 284 reviews, this authentic Thai cooking experience is praised for being fun, delicious, and truly immersive.

Hands-on Cooking Session

Participants enjoy a hands-on cooking session where they actively prepare a variety of authentic Thai dishes. They’ll:

• Use a mortar and pestle to create their own custom curry paste with a blend of aromatic herbs and spices.
• Cook classic Thai dishes like Pad Thai, chicken fried rice, and curry.
• Prepare a sweet sticky rice with mango dessert.
• Learn proper techniques for slicing, dicing, and cooking each ingredient.

Dine on the delicious creations in the organic kitchen garden after the cooking is complete.

Preparing Curry Paste

During the hands-on cooking session, participants use a mortar and pestle to create their own unique curry paste. This traditional method allows them to grind and blend an array of aromatic ingredients, including lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chilies, shallots, and spices.

The process is both therapeutic and satisfying, as they pound and mix the fragrant mixture to their desired consistency and flavor profile. By making the curry paste from scratch, participants gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of Thai cuisine and the care required to produce authentic dishes.

This hands-on experience is a highlight of the cooking class, leaving participants with a newfound culinary skill and a heightened sense of Thai culinary traditions.

Thai Dishes Cooked

What dishes do participants prepare during the hands-on cooking session? The cooking class offers a chance to create a variety of authentic Thai dishes. Participants will:

• Cook Pad Thai, a stir-fried rice noodle dish with shrimp, eggs, and tamarind-based sauce
• Prepare chicken fried rice, a classic Thai comfort food
• Make a fragrant Thai curry, utilizing the custom curry paste they created earlier
• Whip up a batch of sweet sticky rice with fresh mango, a beloved Thai dessert
• Learn to cook other regional specialties like som tam (papaya salad) or tom yum goong (spicy shrimp soup)

More Great Thing To Do Nearby

Dining in Organic Garden

After the hands-on cooking session, participants get to enjoy their creations in the organic kitchen garden. Surrounded by lush greenery and the sights and sounds of nature, diners savor the authentic Thai dishes they’ve just prepared.

The organic ingredients used in the meal lend a fresh, vibrant flavor to the curries, stir-fries, and desserts. As they dine, guests appreciate the peaceful ambiance and the opportunity to relax after an immersive culinary experience.

The organic kitchen garden provides the perfect setting to appreciate the fruits of their culinary labor and gain a deeper understanding of Thai cuisine and its connection to the land.

Inclusions and Amenities

This cooking class and tour package includes a variety of amenities to enhance the overall experience. The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, ensuring seamless transportation to and from the venue.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to visit a local market, where they can explore the vibrant sights and sounds of the local community. All necessary ingredients for the cooking sessions are provided, allowing participants to focus on the hands-on experience.

Plus, a PDF recipe book is included, enabling guests to recreate the delectable Thai dishes at home. Finally, the tour offers an immersive dining experience in the organic kitchen garden, adding to the authenticity of the culinary journey.

Review Highlights

Reviewers consistently praise the "Chiang Mai: Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour" for its fun, delicious, and authentic experience. Guests highlight the hands-on cooking session as a standout, where they prepare their own curry paste using a mortar and pestle and cook dishes like Pad Thai, chicken fried rice, and curry.

The visit to the local market to source fresh ingredients is also a hit, providing an immersive cultural experience. Participants rave about the opportunity to dine in the organic kitchen garden, surrounded by the very herbs and produce used in the dishes they created. With an overall rating of 4.9/5 from 284 reviews, this cooking class delivers an unforgettable taste of authentic Thai cuisine.

Restrictions and Requirements

The cooking class isn’t suitable for children under 5 or people over 95 years old. This experience is designed for adults who are interested in learning authentic Thai cooking techniques.

There are several requirements participants must meet:

• Participants must be at least 5 years old
• Participants must be no older than 95 years old
• Participants must be able to stand for extended periods and handle kitchen tools
• Participants should have a basic understanding of cooking or a strong interest in learning
• Participants should be prepared to get hands-on, as the class involves active participation in the cooking process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Class Schedule for the Day?

The class schedule includes a 4.5-hour cooking session where you will visit a local market, create their own curry paste, cook a variety of Thai dishes, and dine in an organic kitchen garden.

Are Vegetarian/Vegan Options Available for the Cooking Class?

Yes, the cooking class offers vegetarian and vegan options. Guests can choose to make plant-based Thai dishes and customize the menu to accommodate their dietary needs.

Can Participants Bring Their Own Cooking Utensils?

Participants can bring their own cooking utensils if they’d like, but the cooking class provides all necessary equipment. The choice is up to the individual’s preference and comfort level during the hands-on cooking session.

Is There a Dress Code for the Cooking Class?

The cooking class doesn’t have a strict dress code, but participants should wear comfortable, casual clothing that they don’t mind getting a bit messy. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for safety in the kitchen.

Can Participants Take Home the Curry Paste They Make?

Participants can take home the curry paste they make during the cooking class. The class includes a hands-on session where guests create their own custom curry paste using a mortar and pestle.

Recap

This cooking class in Chiang Mai offers a comprehensive immersion into Thai culinary traditions. Visitors will explore a local market, craft custom curry pastes, and prepare beloved dishes like fragrant curries and classic Pad Thai. The hands-on experience culminates in a serene dining setting within an organic kitchen garden, providing a deep appreciation for the complexities and flavors of Thai cuisine.

You can check if your dates are available here: