Excellent Cooking class !! This is one of the Best cooking classes Ever ! Experienced the visit to the market with the chef , ride in a boat drived by her , beautiful table setting, and wonderfull taste of the food prepared with her ! Sorry that I could not repeat the experience because she is booked for every day I am in Bangkok . Highly recommended ! This is a 100% Excellent experience . Good English explanation
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Pick up from Bang Wa BTS Station or optional hotel transfers
- Private Thai cooking class in Aoy's riverside home
- Scenic ride down the Tha Chin river on a private boat
- Guided tour of Don Wai Market with a local host
Excludes
- Beer can be purchased on location
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Discover Bangkok like a local as you explore a neighborhood market with Aoy, shop for fresh ingredients, and travel by boat to her home for a private Thai cooking class. Meet your host, an Iron Chef Thailand winner, at Bang Wa BTS Station at 8am for pickup and a short drive to Don Wai Market, famous for its vibrant produce and local snacks. Stroll through the market together as your host introduces you to regional fruits, vegetables, and Thai ingredients. Then, enjoy a scenic 30-minute boat ride along the Tha Chin River to your host’s peaceful riverside home surrounded by lush gardens. This private boat ride on this serene river is a truly unique experience in Bangkok.
Sip a refreshing drink before stepping into your host's professional kitchen studio for a hands-on Thai cooking class. Learn to prepare two authentic Thai dishes from scratch as your host shares her deep knowledge of local herbs, spices, and culinary traditions. After cooking, savor your meal overlooking the river — dishes may include Pad Thai, red curry with roasted duck, or her signature Somtam lood. Enjoy your creations with a glass of local beer before returning to Bang Wa Station. Your host is not only passionate about cooking but also presenting dishes artfully with flowers and herbs from her garden. She lives on a lush, beautiful property on the banks of the Tha Chin River which is in the Nakhon Sathom Province - it is a wonderful stop en route back from the Damnoen Saduak floating market into the city. Please note that your host runs a restaurant out of her home so there may be a few patrons of the restaurant in the dining room during the lunch hour.
If you choose the optional transfers option, you will be picked up from and dropped off at your Bangkok hotel.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Everything about this experience was absolutely incredible. Aoy was remarkably hospitable and showed us through the market, sampling everything that caught our eye and teaching us about all of the local produce and showed us an authentic snapshot of her life. Her staff was incredibly attentive and we felt generously accommodated. You can tell Aoy loves what she does and makes her guests feel remarkably welcome. If you have a free afternoon available, this is an absolute must.
Aoy’s cooking class was certainly one of the highlights of my Bangkok trip. I enjoyed walking around the local market where Aoy explained the Thai ingredients and we did some food tasting. I enjoyed jumping on a boat and Aoy drove to her riverside restaurant where the cooking class took place. I had a great cooking experience! Aoy is a very friendly and knowledgeable host. She shared her cooking knowledge and was willing to answer questions I had. She shared some tips as what to get for substitutes if I could not get the same ingredients in my home country. I look forward to attend Aoy's class again and learn to cook other Thai dishes!
It was the BEST! From start to finish Aoy made us feel so welcome. The market was an incredible place and was so beautiful with the wide variety of fruit, vegetables, fish, meats and even food vendors. We shard an unexpected light meal of local specialties and then on to another more local riverside market, with unusual local products. Off we went to her down river restaurant in a small boat, where we were greeted by her amazing staff, to cook an elevated lunch! Delish and beautifully set! A perfect day all around
Just WOW. Aoy's beaming smile greeted us as we came down the stairs from the agreed Skytrain station and her wonderful welcome set the tone for the day. And what a day it was. We visited three different markets: one wholesale, one retail and wholesale combined, and one in the grounds of Aoy's local temple Wat Hom Kret. Each stop was totally immersive and briliant for it - unlike anything you would see on the mainstream tourist track in Bangkok; we didn't just see beautiful fresh produce from all over Thailand, we tried different foods...and even found one of our chlidren behind the counter cooking! A glorious boatride down the Tha Chin river from the temple took us to the restaurant and cookery school's pontoon, where our arrival was clearly anticipated, as evidenced by the handful of so-happy staff waiting to greet us. We were also greeted with yet more delicious tidbits to try and delicious and cooling fresh drinks. Then to the cooking, that saw us all bashing ingredients together to create a mix of sumtuous dishes for lunch: green papaya salad, pad thai, tom kha kai (chicken with glangal and coconut milk, yellow fish curry and sticky rice with mango. Everything was cooked from raw ingredients and we were in heaven - I cannot think of any scenario that any foodie visitors could be anything else. This was simply one of the best days ever, all made as superb as it was by our amazing host Aoy, who was so positive and encouraging. Thank you Aoy, we cannot begin to recommend you highly enough!!
This exceeded our expectations. Aoy took us to three different markets where we shopped for ingredients as well as just checking out traditional foods and vendors. People were so kind and loved giving us samples of various fruits we had never seen. Aoy owns her own restaurant and it is staffed by her family. They were so very welcoming and fun that the cooking class was more like a party. This was a highlight of the trip.
Really enjoyed myself. Aoy is a really friendly and knowledgable host. The trip around the markets was a fantastic experience with Aoy explaining things. The boat ride to the restraunt was very relaxing after the general bussle of Bangkok. And perparing my own lunch under the guidance and help of Aoi and her staff was an amazing experience. A great way to experience the real Bangkok, would reccomend it to anyone
This was truly an extraordinary! We were picked up from our hotel and taken on a very informative tour of 2 different markets. After tasting and buying ingredients we got on the boat to Aoy’s restaurant. What a beautiful place! We had some snacks and relaxed before starting our amazing cooking class. Aoy is so knowledgeable about the food and the recipes. Everything was fresh, healthy and delicious. She is a fantastic teacher and chef! It’s not a surprise she won Iron Chef Thailand! I recommend this experience for anyone looking g to learn more about Thailand, cuisine and cooking!
OMG - what an experience . From the initial pick up and greeting to the special markets we went to , which led into the cooking class. Learnt so much , the food was awesome and it was natural and authentic. Aoy was the perfect host and it was so nice being welcomed into her home & business. Talent lady !
Aoy and her assistant Beer were wonderful hosts! They really took the time to introduce us to Thai food, culture, and way of life. The local markets we visited were fun and vibrant. Aoy had us taste authentic Thai food, fruits, vegetables, and delicacies while visiting the markets. We were graciously greeted by her staff at her restaurant after the short boat ride from the floating market. The cooking class was AMAZING! Every detail was personalized and well thought out. We loved learning about all the fresh, organic ingredients and everything turned out absolutely delicious! We highly recommend this tour and class to anyone wanting to experience authentic tastes and culture!
DON’T PASS THIS UP IF YOU LOVE TO COOK AND TASTE LOCAL CUISINE- I had a great day on this tour - I was full of delicious food, I walked away with loads of new information and a beautiful new experience. The markets Aoywaan took me to are amazing, so much pride goes into the presentation. We also went to her friend’s orchid farm then to her restaurant to cook and eat again - Aoywaan and her family staff shared their rich life - I felt right at home with them.
Highly recommended! Aoy's warm energy, passion for food and chef's expertise make her a perfect guide to the flavorful world of Thai cooking. She's full of love for her work and obviously enjoys sharing it with her guests. In the market tour we witnessed an amazing bounty of fresh ingredients and saw the importance of having producers who can supply them. The boat ride was a soothing and refreshing ride along a verdant river. In the kitchen, learning about the ingredients that make up the dishes’ complex flavors and aromas — then preparing them by cutting, crushing, boiling and frying — was a lot of fun and really deepened my appreciation for Thai food. Garnishing the dishes we’d prepared with edible flowers, then finally eating them among the lush greenery of the restaurant’s riverside deck felt like living in paradise.
Wow. If this had been the only thing we had done while in Thailand, the trip would have been well worth it. Aoy had some amazing things to share with us, and Nani was extremely helpful. Aoy is very passionate about what she does, and she obviously cares about those with whom she interacts. Truly one of the great culinary experiences of my life!
Aoywaan is an amazing chef full of fun stories and endless cooking knowledge. We cooked 5 dishes in her air conditioned kitchen then ate along the waterfront. I also found out and confirmed she is a winner of Iron Chef Thailand! Factor in the several markets we toured and the food we ate there, the local coffees, and the boat ride along the river... and this turned into my favorite excursion on a month long trip. 10/10 will definitely do this again next time i am in bangkok... Thank you so much, Aoywaan!
We highly recommend this activity, particularly if you are looking for a private, personalized full-day experience with a real Thai Chef, not just a random cooking class in Bangkok. (And if you don’t mind travelling to a nearby suburban town called Bang Kratheuk, immediately west of Bangkok, rather than staying in Bangkok proper. It’s still fairly convenient, since Aoy arranges for transportation from the Bang Wa station of the Bangkok BTS system.) Initially, when I was searching for a cooking class for our Bangkok leg of our Thailand trip, I noticed many less expensive options for group classes, some with added-on market tours. We tend to prefer instead spending one-on-one time with locals on our vacations, having down-to-earth conversations about the people, culture, politics, life, and food. And we love to cook! This activity fit the bill. Our day with Aoywaan was fun-filled and action-packed! (Ie including our 50 min BTS commute each way to the most-west Bangkok Bang-wa metro station from/to our downtown hotel, full 7 am-3 pm) Aoy made pickup from Bang-wa easy and punctual, and even sent confirmed directions and BTS public transit instructions and map on the whatsup app the day before. We started our day with visits to 3 markets: -quick morning visit to Pak Klong Talat Mai Flower market (with gorgeous flowers+++ still with the morning dew on them, as the market was getting ready for the day) -longer visit to World Market (west side of Bangkok) to see Thai vegetables, fruit, live seafood and fresh meat). -Don Wai “Floating” market (just west of Bangkok in Bang Krathuek)— food market by the river local to Aoywaan’s house (Not a True “floating market”, which in Bangkok are for tourists only anyways.) Refreshing to see almost no foreigners at these places, just locals. Even greater is that Aoy showing you around the markets is like having your own private Thai local tour guide who can show and explain to you the different Thai fruits, vegetables, the fish and meat that are popular there. From Toronto, with its large Asian population, we were acquainted with much of the Asian produce, but the sheer scale of market goodies was amazing to explore! We had a quick bite to eat and coffee/tea at street stalls /“food courts” at both World Market and Don Wai (I guess we should have skipped the hotel breakfast!) Then Aoy took us on a private boat ride from the market to her riverside restaurant located at her home. We met her family, who were very friendly and even showed us some traditional Thai dance moves! Our cooking class involved Papaya Salad/Som Tam, Tom Kha soup, and Pad Thai. Very organized and went step-by-step, with nice plating of the dishes afterward. Her niece took pics all along the way and even provided us at the end of the day with a personalized laminated recipe sheet including pictures of us and the food, and Airdropped us many photos of our cooking experience! We then enjoyed our lunch we cooked with beers at her peaceful riverside restaurant “Aoywaan” and chatted with Aoy some more, before she dropped us off at Bang-Wa station at the end of the day. All in all, a wonderful experience and opportunity to cook Thai food and chat during the drive between the markets to Aoy about various topics. She’s passionate and warm-hearted. If you’re looking for a more “in-and-out” cooking class in Bangkok city proper, or don’t want to talk much with your tour guide/chef, a more structured, short class with other foreigners like those at Blue Elephant may be more your style. (When we were in Phuket, we happened to observe briefly a Blue Elephant cooking class. We also did another private cooking class at a high-end Phuket region resort earlier in our trip, which was as enjoyable as Aoy’s, and on-site and polished with professional chef and sous-chefs, but didn’t include the market tours and boat ride or extended chats). If you’re looking for more of an individualized, memorable foodie experience with a fluent-English-speaking local Chef, then I suggest spending the day with Aoywaan. She has even been on Iron Chef Thailand! Caveat: you’d probably need at least a 3 d trip in Bangkok to give yourself time to do the other “sights” to see during the rest of your trip. But we enjoyed the reprieve of our private, local tour with Aoy as much if not more than running around in the heat checking out the Grand Palace/Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Suthat, Golden Mount, River Boat commute, etc which were crowded with tourists taking their instagram shots.
Our host, Aoy, was so friendly, so kind, and so patient. She not only gave us a wonderful cooking experience, but provided us with many experiences and insights into Thai culture! We would highly recommend this activity to anyone!!
This tour is a MUST! Aoy is the most gracious, kind, vivacious, and positive person! She is such a pleasure to be around and went above and beyond to make sure we had the best day ever. The market tour was absolutely incredible. We got to taste so many things we’ve never seen before and everything was absolutely delicious. Aoy was so knowledgeable and we learned so much just from walking around the market with her. Her restaurant was completely breathtaking and a real garden waterside oasis! Her entire staff was so friendly and welcoming. We really felt like family there. The cooking class was so well thought out and so much fun! We learned a lot and we ate even more! This is experience is one of the best we have ever done! Thank you to Aoy for helping us make a memory we will cherish forever!
This experience was incomparable. Aoy made us feel so special the entire time, I left with practicable skills to use in my own kitchen at home, and the food, the people, the ambiance, every moment of it was just incredible. If you are reading this review, take it as a sign that you should book this experience! Now. Do not hesitate. ❤️
This was amazing, if you want to do a cooking tour, then I highly recommend this, even though it is dearer then others. We had fun and lots of laughs. Amazing hosts in an amazing location. It’s was interesting visiting the local markets and then travelling down the waterways to the restaurant where we’re made to fell extremely welcome. The cooking class was fun and we got to make yummy food. I must say we had the best pad Thai made by us whilst in Thailand. This is a must so book the experience today and have as much fun as we had.
Aoy was an amazing hostess! We travel a lot and have done many cooking classes and food tours. Hers was one of the best! She went above and beyond with photos. She created a memorable experience for us. We walked through the market and learned about food and flowers. Aoy took us on her boat to her restaurant where she helped us create a delicious meal. Aoy explained that Thai food is about detail and sharing. She accomplished both during this experience. One note, we ended up on the wrong side of the street for pick up. Be on the opposite side of the Amazon Cafe.
This is the TOTAL package. Aoy is simply amazing and takes her time to show you how to cook while giving you a complete experience, from going to markets to select the perfect ingredients, to explaining why and how things are made/curated. This is not simply a rushed cooking class in a classroom. It is a complete day of learning and immersion. I was very lucky she was available. She is passionate, caring, takes her time and truly expresses her love for her culture, the food and what she does. Her restaurant is gorgeous. Her staff are very kind. The markets we visited were an experience in itself. You get to taste some many things along the way. The boat ride to her restaurant was serene and you get to see a bit of the canal life. Upon arrival you are greeted in a very personalized manor with a fresh towel to cool off, a tea and snack. Then you get a tour of her restaurant and to start cooking. She is an artist and it is evident in her display of the ingredients in kitchen you use! It is hard to explain this experience correctly....it was fun, engaging, entertaining, educational and delicious! If you are truly a lover of food and people this is a perfect way to spend a day! THANK YOU AOY!
Aoy is a sincere and passionate guide. The markets that she brought us to were such an eye opening and insightful experience. The boat ride was enjoyable and her restaurant is beautiful and filled with so much love. She looked after us so well yet kept a comfortable pace throughout the tour. She covered so much in a relaxed manner. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to experience much more than a cooking class. See the country side with her and get to know a different side of Bangkok.
Aoy was nothing less than amazing. Her passion and love for food resonated during our entire time together, and she provided a magical experience! By far one of the best days of our time in Thailand!
We were incredibly lucky to find this opportunity (not just a tour, but a lifetime experience) through Trip Advisor. After easily booking on short notice it, was easy to communicate with Tasting Spoon Inc. and Aoy to ensure we met at the right place/time and could adjust the menu as desired. Aoy was/is so much more than an amazing chef, but a guide (informed by travel and experience around the world), foodie sommelier, and quickly became a friend. Her beautifully cared for home/restaurant and deeply caring staff were immediate reflections of how she pours her heart into her loves (food and people). Our travel with her through various markets to pick ingredients for our meal and learn more about Thai food culture was fascinating and also showed how much she is respected in the community. We will highly recommend her and her business to anyone we know visiting Bangkok. The pictures below of the amazing meal we made (before and after) together with Aoy and her staff and one of the walls outside her home show a glimpse of what was *the best* day! Thank you Aoy and your wonderful staff - you are inspirations!
My sister and I took Aoy’s class together, and it was our favorite day of our whole trip to Thailand! Aoy is so friendly and passionate, and is full of knowledge. It was an action packed day - we went to flower, meat and vegetable markets with new foods at every stop, enjoyed a boat ride to her gorgeous restaurant on the water and then learned to cook 4 recipes. I would 100% recommend this tour to anyone looking to have a unique immersion experience off the beaten path. Thank you Aoy!!
I don't even know how I'll summarize how fun this was -- I almost don't want to tell other people about it since I'd like it to remain the relatively hidden gem that it is and enjoy it again next time I come to Bangkok...but I'll choose not to be selfish: This experience was beyond what I had hoped for, it was in fact like I was in my own little independent movie for the day. I had gotten off at the wrong place near the metro station but Aoy and her very kind niece Mod found me anyway, both speak English and "Chef" and I were able to joke around in German as well :-) We started with a tour and tasting around a couple of local markets (I didn't see a single other tourist), and then took a relaxing little riverboat ride to her restaurant right on the water. A quick welcome snack and drink later and it was time to get to cooking...I'm sure there's a set plan for the day if you don't have any special requests but once I mentioned my favorite Thai dish it was added to my curriculum. What followed was a gym-session's worth of slicing, frying, laughing, singing, and dishing before I ate what I had made (with a lot of help from the two of them as well as Mod's sister May -- I apologize if I've misspelled anyone's name), in addition to a delicious house-prepared special dessert I had no idea was coming. So very tasty. In short: if you are up for something different from all the standard tours, and especially if you enjoy cooking and/or Thai cuisine at all, you'll want to book this. Thank you Chef, thank you ladies, and thank you to the restaurant staff as well.
We had a wonderful day spending time with Aoy! She is a very personable and knowledgeable guide and hostess. We had fun shopping with her at the market, riding down the river in her boat, and were so delighted to arrive at her idyllic restaurant. At the restaurant we relaxed, then got busy cooking and enjoying the meal that we prepared with Aoy.
Such a lovely day! We really enjoyed our stops at the markets, learning about and trying new fruits, desserts, and ingredients for cooking. The class is in a beautiful restaurant, where they grow their own herbs. The guides take great care of you and will adjust to all your needs. Also, nice boat ride! Perfect day trip out of Bangkok. Highly recommend!
If you want to see parts of Thailand you won't otherwise see, this the one. Aoywann, the guide and chef, is amazing. She really wants to share he country with you and went above and beyond with us. We went on a multiple tours and then headed to her restaurant and cooking school via her boat. We felt transported! Don't be in a hurry--enjoy your time with her. We made sniped herbs from her garden, multiple dishes at her cooking school, and then ate in her wonderful AC atrium. She was the best and made sure we saw everything we could. She really made it personalized!! Can't recommend her enough if you want to get out of Bangkok and explore.
Our day with Aoy was absolutely perfect. We scheduled her cooking class for our first day in Bangkok. She was not only an exceptional cook, but way beyond that she was kind, and gracious, and fun and gave us so many exceptional new experiences. For a mother and daughter traveling on our own, we could not have had a better intro to Thailand!
Aoy met us at the train station, then carried it by car to various fine and fresh markets, such as flower, meats, seafood and vegetables, etc. Aoy knows a lot in the markets so there were many good tastings, so come hungry. Aoy is also very flexible and adapter to cooking for us and my allergy.The last market was with the locals, which Aoy takes great care of where we made the last purchases. After that it was a wonderful boat trip on the river with Aoy as captain. The trip went to her fantastic restaurant where we were welcomed very personally and with the and snacks. After the break, we went into her garden and picked flowers and spices. After that we put on our aprons and started to hack and mortar. Lovely sweet scents spread in her fine glazed outdoor kitchen. The food was decorated with flowers and leaves from her garden. In the end, we sat down and enjoyed the tasty dishes. Very fun and educational day, can be highly recommended. She gave as so much more than just a cooking class, lots of history, culture and much more.
Aoy was a fantastic host and gave me and my husband a really good experience with Thai cuisine and culture. The instruction and explanation about the daily plan and meeting point was easy to follow. Aoy met us up and took us to 3 different markets, flower market, meat and vegetable market. There we got to taste a ton of different ingredients to learn how they tasted bad separately and worked perfectly together. The markets were authentic Thai because it was all Thai people and we were the only ones with blond hair. Not only we learnt a lot about Thai cuisine, but the history of Thailand, the kings and the dishes. We were kind of surprised that Pad Thai originally did not come from Thailand but China. We bought the ingredients ourselves with the help of Aoy choosing what we prefered and she drove us on her little boat back to her restaurant and learnt cooking. One of us was vegetarian. It was not a problem for Aoy to mix up different recipes for both of us. Aoy was very friendly and personal. She welcomed us with her heart at the restaurant. This is a perfect trip for couples to have fun and learn cooking a couple of Thai dishes. I kind of don't recommend this for bigger group cause the cooking process, that Aoy makes all curry pastes and flavours from raw indigrence, which makes it hard in a bigger group. Aoy did a lot of work that she didn't explain. Because the whole Thai cuisine cannot be taught within 6 hours. Aoy sent the recipe on email after the cooking course and drove us back to where we met up in the morning. Again, we recommend this experience to others! Have fun!
We spent most of the day with Aoy, owner of Aoywaan Riverside Restaurant. Aoy was very engaging and very interested in showing off the local markets where she shops for her restaurant. She knows many of the vendors well and was incredibly generous with making sure we got to see, smell and taste many of the more unusual local ingredients and products. By the end of the market tour, we were already so stuffed with samples and goodies, we couldn't believe we were about to start a cooking extravaganza. After shopping the market we took a relaxing riverboat ride from the market to her restaurant and spent a few hours preparing an early dinner after a little break. Her recipes were delicious, and made use of some less familiar ingredients (i.e. white and yellow turmeric, fingerroots and a few ingredients we still don't know the names of) which was very nice. Even though we have some experience with cooking Thai food and many of the flavors we were familiar, there were some subtle twists as a result of her recipes that were very nice. Overall a great experience, although be aware that even though the class says 6 hours that starts pretty early, it is a very full day, particularly with the travel time on the BTS. We had tentative plans to go walk Chatuchak after the class, but by the time we got back to the city, it was late afternoon and we ended up just heading back to the hotel to pass out. Finally, another nice thing is that Aoy has been pretty communicative with us after the class and is very good about sending us photos and answering follow-up questions about our experience.
The cooking class at Aoywaan was an amazing experience which we would highly recommend to anyone visiting Thailand! First, we were warmly greeted by the owner, Aoy and taken on an exciting tour of a local market where we got a unique perspective on the ingredients in classic Thai dishes. Next was a sunset longboat ride to the restaurant where we enjoyed tea and a delicious welcoming snack. We then picked fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs from Aoy’s garden which we used to prepare our meal. We then were taught to make a selection of traditional Thai recipes with Aoy’s special flavors! Aoy was extremely kind and accommodating, as well as very knowledgeable about Thai cuisine! In addition to teaching us the basics of Thai cooking, she helped us understand the influences behind the recipes and the spirit of Thai food. By the end of our class, Aoy felt like family! The evening at Aoywaan was the highlight of our vacation and we would highly recommend it to any and all travelers in Thailand.
If you want a customized, unique cooking experience, book with Aoy Marunrueng. She runs Aoywaaan Restaurant in Nakhon Pathom province outside of Bangkok with David Cleland, managing director and chef. They picked us up at a subway station in Bangkok and from there they took us to TWO market tours: one for wholesale and one for locals. They explained the different ingredients and had us sample some fruit and snacks. Everything was delicious! It was really nice having someone talk us through everything. Afterwards, we took a scenic boat ride down the river to Aoy's restaurant where we had our cooking class. We told them that we didn't want to cook typical dishes like pad thai so they customized the class for us and had us make pomelo salad since pomelo was in season. We also made green curry from scratch then used that leftover curry paste to make fried rice and marinated chicken skewers. Delicious and so full of flavor! We highly highly recommend this experience.
A perfect day with fantastic people. Get our of busy Bangkok and visit a nice market soly with locals and a nice, tough lady with a beautiful small cafe. She speaks english and german fluent and works hard to compose a unique experience for you.
Prompt pickup from an easy to get to MRT and BTS station. We shopped in two markets for their restaurant and our meal. We had a good breakfast at one of the vendors in probably the cleanest market I’ve seen. The tour through the market was very informative. The second market was the original floating market. We saw the young monks parading through for alms. My husband wanted to try chicken legs. Aoy bought a few extra to prepare as a surprise side dish for lunch (very nice touch). The boat ride up the river was just us. Beautiful scenery! The restaurant caters to mostly affluent locals and is fantastic! Views of the river and floating dock would keep you there all day. The class is serious business. This is truly a hands on meal creation. You will learn a great deal! I would even recommend this to professional chefs. Aoy is a great chef and teacher. You’ll even get to walk around the premises to collect herbs and fruits.
My daughter were picked up by Nunchie and given a tour of a food and flower market prior to boarding a boat and travelled to the cooking class which is also an operating world class restaurant. It was most enjoyable. Next time I am in Thailand I will be contacting the restaurant to book a table as the food and ambience are second to none.
This was, hands down, the highlight of our recent visit to Bangkok. Aoy exemplifies Thai hospitality and warmth. We visited two markets, one a wholesale market where Aoy did some of her own shopping, and a second, more locals-like market that was chock full of everything you could possibly want. Unfortunately, the second market was so packed that we ended up cutting our visit there short, but luckily we caught a break from the rain so we could take the boat ride up the river. What an awesome time! The cooking itself was so much fun, with Aoy clearly showing that she believes that food is love, and that she cooks from the heart. We were introduced to so many ingredients, it made my head spin. Along the way, we learned that making curry paste from scratch is no laughing matter (my arm still is sore a week later), and that Pad Thai can indeed be made without tamarind paste or any other helpers. Also - little tips and tricks about how to prepare citrus for juicing, along with the difference a single tablespoon of soy sauce can make to the balance of flavor in curry. When I booked this tour, it was still described as a 4.5 hour tour, but when I checked closer in, it had gone up to 6 hours. And we still ended up staying longer, just chatting and enjoying coffee on the patio, watching the river, and talking about all things food, business, and Thai culture. All in all, an amazing experience, well worth the premium, with amazing food, fantastic guides, and not a chance you'll go hungry! Oh, and pro-tip - either skip breakfast, or be prepared for second breakfast at the market!
This tour was by far the best experience we had in Bangkok. Before you read on please know this, my husband and I spent hours, just like you, trying to find the perfect cooking/food experiences in Thailand. Look no further, book this now! Aoy will be your guide and wow, she is an amazing lady. She taught us the ways of Thai cuisine and cooking, and not like the other cooking classes where it is all just laid out and you follow the recipe. You will actually taste test items, pick from her garden, choose unique items to cook with, and she will lead you along in the process as you taste test, add, or change as you cook. You will start with Aoy and her assistant, David (who is from the US!) going to 3 local markets to pick out fresh food and flowers for your meal. It was so much fun at the markets because we were able to try her and David’s favorite items. Luckily, Aoy knows all of the vendors so we tried much of it for free! We then took a short ride on a boat out to her restaurant, Aoywaan Riverside! We were welcomed by all of her amazing staff with snacks and tea. They are all so friendly! After this you will cook your meal with Aoy by your side. She even has her staff taking pictures while you cook! Needless to say, this experience was one we will never forget. It was by far the best meal I have ever eaten, and it was an authentic experience learning about Thai culture and cuisine. Thank you Aoy, David, and your whole staff at Aoywaan Riverside for such an amazing experience. We loved every minute!
My wife and I had an outstanding time with Aoy! She showed us so many things that we were excited to see. She took us to 3 markets, and the boat ride to her restaurant was extremely relaxing. The whole tour was very eye opening and we learned a lot. The cooking class was great and the food was delicious! Her restaurant is really relaxing, and a beautiful place. Take this tour, you ring regret itThank you Aoy!
We were very pleasantly surprised with this promised half day experience which ended up taking most of the day with extra-curricular activities such as visiting a major and unique temple and then a wonderful open air concert area and a renowned monument called the "Standing Buddha". The market experience was amazing in that it was a huge local market covering fruit, vegetables, meats, seafood and various supplies, it must be the cleanest market we have ever visited. Aoywaan gave us a lesson on local herbs and vegetables, particularly ones that we were going to use in our cooking and which she purchased fresh right there and then. We were then taken on a 15 minute ride boat to her riverfront restaurant where we then had a relaxing tea-break (with specialties of the house) before our cooking classes started. The classes themseves were sooo good and we highly recommend the personal and thoughtful attention we were shown. We couldn't wait to enjoy the fabulous dishes we had just prepared, paired with some of her own specialty mocktails!
My husband and I met Aoy and her business partner Tien for a most fantastic day in the outskirts of Bangkok. We met our hosts at the end of the BTS skytrain. A short drive through the Bangkok traffic and we arrived at the Bangkok wholesale markets. We had a fantastic walk through the market where we talked fruit, vegetables, herbs and other produce. There were many delicious samples although we were not such great fans of Durian! Another short ride and we arrived at another market (floating) and Buddhist temple. After further touring and sampling we met the boat for a wonderful trip boat trip along the river passing local homes and farms until we arrived at Aoywaan Riverside Thai restaurant. The next few hours passed in a whirlwind. We cooked several courses. Soup, salad, grilled meats and green curry. I particularly enjoyed mixing the curry paste and learning how to adjust the mix to create the salty, seat, spicy flavours of Thai cooking. We then sat on the divine balcony of Aoy's restaurant and ate our cooking. The weather was divine and the cocktail delicious. It capped a fantastic few days in Bangkok. I particularly enjoyed the hospitality and kindness of Aoy and Tien. We had a thoroughly enjoyable day and learned so much of Bangkok, Thailand, the culture and the people of this lovely and hospitable country.
My aunt and I had an amazing time with Aoy and her business partner, Tien. They both provided excellent service, from picking us up from the BTS station and driving us to the market and then taking us on a boat ride down the river surrounded by cute Thai homes and lush greenery to Aoy's restaurant where we completed the cooking class. Their passion for food was infectious and made me want to cook more! The food we made was delicious too and included papaya salad, green curry with chicken, and tom yum soup! It was also great walking around the market since we got to try various snacks and pick up some things to bring back. If you are considering this experience, it is totally worth the money and a great way to get out of Bangkok and explore the surrounding area which is quite beautiful.
Aoy and her wonderful smile, met me at my hotel in Bangkok, took me on a tour of her local market, then ferried me by boat to her charming river-side restaurant 45 minutes outside of the city. It was wonderful to get away of the chaos of the city, and to get a glimpse of small-town, riverside life. I was the only student, and Aoy and I cooked 3 courses together, based on the items we'd picked up at the market, and then she surprised me with a fourth when we sat down to eat a a table in her charming, local restaurant (it was actually dinner btw, not lunch). I loved the entire experience.
Delivered everything offered and much more. Amongst the best Viator offer cooking classes I’ve taken.
Aoy and her staff were extremely friendly and professional! Our hotel recommended this tour and I understand why! Aoy met us at the Bang Wa BTS Station right on time. She took us to a few of her favorite markets to pick fresh produce and meats for cooking. Aoy knew so many of the local vendors and allowed us to try local fruits. She took pictures and videos to capture the memories while we enjoyed the sights and tastes of the Don Wai Market. She shared stories of her childhood in Rai Khing District and her many travels around the world. After market Aoy was also our boat captain and took us down the river to her restaurant. We were greeted by her exceptional staff, served tea and pastries and relaxed along the river. Aoy had many small touches to welcome us to her restaurant, more importantly welcome us as family. After we took a break we met her and her team in the kitchen to start prepping the meals. Aoy isn’t going to hand you a recipe to follow. She’s going to taste food with you, add spice with you, she’s going to create a meal with you and teach you to cook in your own kitchen. If you need step by step instructions to read and follow you will be disappointed. If you want to have a conversation about why herbs are chosen and why they are freshly ground a certain way to release flavors this is the class for you. Aoy wants you to explore food Thai food and Thai culture with her. What we thought would be a 4 hour day turned into a full day adventure including a few popular sights in her town. Aoy’s team had everything ready for us to focus on cooking and made sure we could enjoy our time there. Aoy loves style and presentation, everything has to smell good, look good and taste good. Spend some with Aoy and you will know she’s all about the details. We finished preparing our meals and enjoyed lunch on the river. Aoy and her staff ensured a splendid experience. She focuses on bringing the local culture to life through her cooking and stories. Her spirit, laughter and smile are contagious. She wants everyone to feel like her family and cooking with her in another country we were visiting felt just like home.
<p>If you do one thing while you're in Bangkok, you must do Aoy's cooking class. This was one of the highlights of our trip to Thailand and we got engaged in Phuket!!! So much more than a cooking class, and so much more than a tour. Our private session ended up extending well beyond 4.5 hours and I am glad to say we made a friend in the lovely Aoy. Would recommend this to anyone looking to gain insight into Thai cooking and just general Thai customs. And of course, the food was incredible! Thank you, Aoy! You are a gem!!!</p>
We got lucky and it was just my wife and I. Aoy meets you at the exit of the Sky Train. We started with a hour tour of the Buddhist Foundation which has 1 million visitors a year. Spectacular grounds and truly off the beaten path. Then a good hour in the market by the river. Aoy knows many of the vendors and we sampled lots of items. Followed by a 20 minute boat ride and two hour cooking class. We prepared 5 dishes in a beautiful outdoor kitchen and enjoyed it at a table at Aoy’s restaurant with a view of the river. Come hungry and sit back and enjoy.
Aoy is the best possible host! She took us to this incredible market outside of Bangkok where she knew everyone and had us taste everything. We then had a scenic lovely boat tour to her restaurant/kitchen. The set up for the class was beautiful. Each team had an assistant and we made four different delicious dishes. We highly recommend her to anyone. It was really the best day for our whole group!
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