Our host was knowledgeable on food, flavours,recipes, ingredients and techniques. She really set out to teach us something about traditional Thai cooking. The environment was pristine and quite beautiful. Just go with an empty stomach as you will be cooking ALOT of food.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Complimentary drinking water/snacks/seasonal fruits and refreshing towel.
Excludes
- Soda and Alcohol drinks
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- In front of the old clock tower ( white clock tower ) nearby Chiangrai Fresh Market or Morning Market at 09:30am.
Return
- In front of the old clock tower ( white clock tower ) nearby Chiangrai Fresh Market or Morning Market at 09:30am.
Itinerary
Learn to cook Thai like a local, hands-on experience with organic ingredients. The class is including the market tour. Shopping, preparing, cooking and enjoying a great meal together.
Food Menus
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Amazing cooking class! At first you meet the instructor (Suwannee) at the white clock tower then you go to the market to walk around to purchase food for the class. She tells you about may ingredients esp ones local to the area and even purchases snacks along the way so you can taste. Me and my classmate, Nadia, made pad thai, papaya salad, khao soi, and banana in coconut milk. You have multiple options to pick from on the menu. Dishes can be customized as well for allergies. Suwannee is very friendly, an excellent teacher, and has a great sense of humor. She even takes pics and videos of you during the class then makes a mini movie of the experience to send to you afterwards! Recipes are also emailed to you after the class. Nothing is rushed and each dish is so enjoyable (to look at and even more when eating)! Definitely a must do if you are in Chiang Rai!!
This was a fabulous experience from start to finish. We met at the market, which was an experience in itself—walking through with Sue, seeing the different products, and tasting some along the way was so much fun. She selected fresh ingredients for our class and shared great insights about what we were seeing. The cooking class was fantastic—interactive, very well organized, and truly enjoyable. Everyone had the chance to participate in making all the dishes, which made it feel hands-on and engaging. Sue is an exceptional teacher: friendly, knowledgeable, and kind. We learned so much from her. We sat down together and enjoyed all the dishes we prepared at a beautifully set dining table. Everything was delicious, and the whole experience felt special and well thought out. Highly recommend this class—don’t miss it!
We started at the market and tried some delicious street food. We learned about local produce before heading to her beautiful place. Since it was just two couples, she allowed us to pick from across her 4 menus. We made soup, salad, khao soi, and dessert. She also adapted the dishes to accommodate my wife's shrimp allergy. Suwannee was very patient and explained the steps in great detail. I would highly recommend this experience.
Beautiful experience and amazing food we cooked ourselves! It is so refreshing to meet someone who is so passionate and knowlegeable about what they do. Suwannnee is unforgettable and a real gem! A must do in Chiang Rai.
Probably the best thing we did during our visit to Thailand. Suwannee was a brilliant hostess and her kitchen set-up is just perfection. We were met at the clock tower then did a tour of the market, buying food for our lunch and trying a few local snacks. We learnt so much from Suwanee during this tour. Back at the kitchen we made 3 dishes each, chosen as a group (6 in our case) from a choice of about a dozen - all delicious. We also had an interesting starter and a dessert which we made together. Suwannee took loads of photos and made a lovely video which she shared with us all.
Don’t miss this experience! If you enjoy cooking and learning about the Thai food culture you won’t want to miss this cooking and Thai food educational activity. Suwannee is so personal and professional and provides an exceptional experience. From learning about the local organic foods to the creation of your chosen dishes. It was fun from start to finish. This has been a highlight of our trip.
It was a fantastic experience with Suwannee. We really enjoyed it and we recommand it a lot. We will cook the wonderful receipes back home. Thank you so much!!!
It was amazing the lady that does it is so nice there were like 6 people there and she helped us and riled us all about the food.we also went to the market and she told us all about there history
We met Suwanee in the center of bustling Chiang Rai & then joined her in a shopping/learning expedition (and a couple of edible samples) in her favorite street markets for the freshest, organic ingredients for today's multi-course lunch. We then made our way to her suburban-neighborhood, Zen-like garden home & open, airy cooking kitchen. We started with an amazing & fresh-tasting one-bite snack of miang kham: peanuts, diced coconut, chilies, lime, sugar palm & more nestled on a betel leaf & eaten all at once. SO darn good! We spent the rest of the morning dicing, splicing, mixing, chopping, each with our own cutting board, burner & learning, laughing & then heartily eating & enjoying our just-made soups, green papaya salads, khao suey, kom thom, & dessert of bananas in coconut cream sprinkled with black sesame seeds, all washed down with tea & water. Suwanee makes it fun, she is patient, adjusts the menu to most of our needs & interests (she uses a "majority rules" with the menu) & teaches us techniques & culinary tidbits as we cook & create. There is a lovely & greenery-filled patio outside, the cooking space is immaculately clean & Suwanee's staff does a wonderful job with prepping helping. We enjoyed every minute & every morsel.
If you're looking to dive deep into the heart of Thai cuisine, Suwannee Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Rai offers an unforgettable, hands-on experience that goes far beyond just recipes. Suwannee herself is a culinary treasure—her passion for traditional Thai cooking is matched only by her knowledge of local ingredients and market culture. It is a half day journey that begins with a guided tour of a bustling Chiang Rai market, where Suwannee’s rapport with local vendors is immediately evident. She introduces you to the freshest herbs, spices, and produce, sharing insider tips on how to select the best ingredients. One of the highlights was her unique Thai twist on fruit tasting—she invited us to sample crisp apples, juicy guava, and ripe mangoes, all dipped in a bold, flavor-packed blend of salted sugar and Nam Pla Wan (a tangy-sweet-salty sauce made from fish sauce, chili seeds, chili powder, and brown sugar. It was a revelation—simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary. Back in her well-furnished and spaced kitchen, Suwannee guided us through the preparation of classic Thai dishes, from Sum Tum ( the famous green papaia salad) to perfectly balanced Khao Soi. She emphasized the importance of layering flavors—sweet, sour, salty, and spicy—and taught us traditional techniques like hand-pounding curry paste and balancing herbs with precision. Her teaching style is warm, patient, and deeply informative, making even complex dishes feel approachable. This isn’t just a cooking class—it’s a cultural immersion. Suwannee’s stories, her deep respect for Thai culinary heritage, and her joyful spirit make this experience truly special. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a curious beginner, you’ll leave with new skills, a full belly, and a heart full of gratitude.
Highly recommend! Suwannee was amazing! She walked me through the local open air market, taught me about the different fruits and vegetables, how to tell which ones were organically grown, and let me taste a few things too. She’s a great cook and instructor, not just telling me what to do but explaining the “why” too! It was obvious that she’s passionate about cooking and enjoys teaching.
Fantastic experience. If you’re in Chiang Rai this is a must do! I would not have been adventurous enough to go to the market on my own but it was so easy with a local guide. It was great to see all of the local fresh ingredients and interesting to see all of the stalls and the market itself. Usually I am terrible at following instructions but found the class to be so easy and informative. I really liked the way that the dishes turned out and they tasted amazing. The lady that runs the class is so kind and speaks fantastic English. I really learned a lot about Thai cooking and it helped me understand Thai culture a lot more. My trip to Chiang Rai would not have been complete without this class ❤️
Do not miss this experience! Everything was incredible start to finish. We started the day in the local food market where we were introduced to local ingredients and dishes, then we moved to a beautiful house where we prepared and enjoyed the meal. Every detail was thought of. The table was beautifully arranged and the food was absolutely delicious. Our children age 11-16 had an amazing time. Do not miss!!
Wonderful experience. The food was delicious. Suwannee took us to the organic market to purchase fresh ingredients for all of our meals.
This was an amazing experience and a must if you are in Chiang Rai and want to learn about local cuisine. Suwannee walks you through the process from gathering ingredients at the local market, to prep, to cooking four amazing dishes.
AMAZING EXPERIENCE We booked a group class but we ended up just being the two of us. Suwannee brought us to the local market introducing us to her favorite ingredients. We then went back to her home where there is a great cooking studio. Suwannee is so knowledgeable, passionate and patient. We learn great cooking techniques and hope to be able to replicate it at home!
Guide: Suwannee ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ + Great communication + Brought us to local spots & markets. + Gave us tastings of some local foods + Very patient + Great teacher * My only wish was that her cat could come inside with us. This goes in our top 3 excursions in Thailand. (Along with the elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai and the bioluminescent plankton tour in Ao Nang) We were very lucky that it was only the two of us in this class. Suwannee considered asking us to join the afternoon session but decided against it so we pretty much got a private cooking lesson. She also made us a video of our experience and sent us the recipes of what we cooked. The ingredients were fresh and we learned a lot about Thai cooking, being hands on, the order of cooking, and different ingredients. The items that we made were delicious, her kitchen is gorgeous, peaceful, and very clean. I absolutely loved this experience. I also love her cat. I would book this again just to see her cat again.
We were a Group of 11 people and had the morning course. The walk over the market was amazing. We could ask what ever we wanted and Suwanne always met our expectation. The kitchen and house was realy clean. The dishes we cooked were fantastic and she was fluent in english and even spoke a litte dutch and german. We would do it again thank you.
I liked that we went to the market first and Suwannee explained a lot about various ingredients used in the Thai cuisine. The cooking was so much fun and the food was delicious. Suwannee also made sure to adjust the spice level to all participants.
Wonderful experience, great for couples! You can choose from menu what you gonna cook and then you go for a local market to get ingredients. Chef is very knowledgeable and friendly- speaks perfect English so communication is not a problem. You can learn about ingredients and cooking techniques. Worth its price, definitely recommend!
I had an amazing experience at this cooking class with Suwannee! We walked around the market first, which added certain vibe to the day🤤 The food was absolutely delicious, and I learned so much about Thai cuisine. The chef was fantastic—she had incredible knowledge of Thai food and made everything easy to understand. As I was the only participant, I appreciated the one-on-one attention, which allowed me to grasp the basics while also learning some more advanced techniques. The kitchen was well-equipped, and the surrounding area added to the charm of the experience. Highly recommend this class for anyone interested in Thai cooking!
Suwannee offered an amazing and informative experience. From collecting us at our hotel, to walking us through the local markets, tasting and touching as we went, then on to local organic coffee to go back to her home based studio (which was large, airy, well set up and very inviting). This was a complete and immersive experience - even to showing us how to cut lemongrass to get the maximum flavour. We cooked a course and then sat down at a beautifully presented table to enjoy our efforts. I would thoroughly recommend this cooking class - Suwannee is knowledgeable, kind, experienced and fun. As a couple, we are very grateful to her. We thoroughly recommend everyone to take her instruction and class. Its worth every cent and more. Thank you Suwannee, you have changed the way we cook Thai.
I was a solo traveler in Chiang Rai and decided to attend this half day cooking class. Without hesitation, I can say that I am so happy that I did! The met up in the market by the old clock tower where we purchased some fresh ingredients all while learning different veggies and trying different local and seasonal food. The actual class took place in a beautiful house with a big kitchen located in the middle of a beautiful garden. I had 2 other people in the class, and they made this experience a lot more enjoyable. Suwannee gave us clear instruction and shared many interesting facts about Thai cooking. I would love to come back here with my mother and husband in the near future because I want to share this wonderful experience with them!
Outstanding experience, it was the highlight of our trip to Chiang Rai. Food was delicious and class was so much fun. Suwannee was so sweet and kind, excellent teacher.
The day was jam packed with things to do! Shopping in the morning allowed us to try all the local delicacies and learn about local ingredients. The course itself was really fun and all the dishes we created were delicious. I'd recommend not eating beforehand as you are provided with lots of snacks throughout! All in all a perfect activity
This was a really amazing experience! We decided together the menu and we went to a local market to buy what we needed and the guide made us taste some local specialty! After that, we went to the school, a very nice and equipped location, and we cooked our fantastic plates. I would recommend to everybody, the guide is super good and kind.. everything was perfect!
Suwannee is exactly as previous reviewers say. Prompt, proactive with info. Made everything so enjoyable. We are a ‘can’t cook /wont cook’ couple - we now think we are chefs. 🤣. The market visit was really informative. 100% give it a go. (Food fab)
I had such a wonderful day today; I had the class all to myself, and cooked some incredible food that I would never normally attempt to make. Upon meeting, Suwannee showed me around the market for ingredients, and I tried some new foods. Then we drove to the cooking school, and I was given some delicious rice crackers and homemade tea. Throughout the day, we made: Sweet and sour tofu and vegetables. Tom Yum soup with giant freshwater prawns. Thai green curry with silken tofu and rice from her garden. Mango sticky rice, with blue rice dyed using flowers from her garden. I took leftovers home for dinner, and feel so lucky to have had this experience on my last day in Chiang Rai. All in all, Suwannee made it a fantastic day. The location of the cooking school is peaceful and beautiful. I recommend this experience to everyone, whether you are a total beginner or a more experienced chef!
The chef Suwannee is very attentive and professional, the place is very clean. It has been an uplifting experience. The dishes have turned out very good as well as pretty. I highly recommend it.
My boyfriend and I decided to take a cooking class on my birthday. It was a very unique experience including a local market tour. Suwannee is a very nice teacher and gave us a lot of knowledge. Thank you so much for making this day special for us!
Amazing experience with all the family. Very good chef, amazing visit of the market, and nice place for cooking and eating. We really are in typical Thai cuisine and you learn how to do eat by yourself.
It's been such a great experience! Suwannee is a very nice teacher, so passionate and careful in looking for organic and fresh ingredients, some of them taken directly from the garden. The location is so cool and vibrant, warmly recommended!
Amazing morning spend. Local market all know the “chef”! Inspiring walk around and tasting. Then to the super beautiful cooking studio. Good explanations, inspiration for when back home. And a full rummy. Did not know i could cook so well! Highly recommended!
I had the chance to do a solo cooking class with Suwanee during the low season. The experience was wonderful from beginning to end. Suwanee is quite knowledgeable, she shares a lot and seems to genuinely care that people have a good experience. My only advice is to be very hungry at the beginning of the class to enjoy all the different plates!
We had a great afternoon with a lot of impressions from the local market, where all has been explained what ingredients are used for what. After that we cooked with the bought ingredients our 4 course menu. Very much fun and good teaching. Thanks for the lovely day
We did this cooking class while on a SE Asia tour. It was delightful. Suwannee was a wonderful instructor, the cooking area was set up nicely, the dining area very pleasant, and the dishes were very good. Highly recommend.
Had an amazing cooking experience! Suwannee did an excellent Job with getting us close to the Thai cooking. We were really pleased :)
I am so glad we did Suwannee’s cooking class as a part of our tour! It was a true highlight! The market tour was fascinating and informative. You never know what you’re going to see! Suwannee’s cooking school is nicely equipped and I enjoyed looking at her artwork. Her class is well organized and everyone gets the chance to prepare a dish for your table. Everything we made was absolutely delicious and organic. She also made an accommodation for my food allergy which was much appreciated. Suwannee was a terrific host and instructor. I enjoyed talking to her and learning from her! Highly recommend this experience! You won’t regret it!
This was such a great way to experience shopping at a market. You got to see and learn about local foods, interact with the locals, and help collect ingredients for the cooking. The class was super fun. The chef knows her stuff! She was informative, organized, and made it fun. Above all the food we made was fantastic! I highly recommend this.
I cannot recommend this experience enough!! We started with a visit to the market where Suwannee guided us through so many places and we got to taste some amaaazing Thai treats. The cooking itself was such a memorable experience, Suwannee explained every step with such care and passion and showed us how to balance each ingredient to cater to our tastes. After this experience I definitely feel like I have a deeper appreciation for Thai food. Worth every penny!!
Don’t miss this excellent cooking class taught by a kind and expert chef, using her organic home grown ingredients, in a bright lovely kitchen.
Our desicion to take part in this lesson was very spontaneous. At first we thought it was to late to ask today morning to take part in the evening lessen today evening. But Suwanee could arrange it for us, so we were so happy and thankful for that. After visiting the local market and buying all incredients we drove to the kitchen, where we started with an wonderful welcome drink and some delicious snacks. The atmosphere was wonderful and after an short crash course about different types of taste we startet with preparing the incredients. It would take to long to tell everything, but we can really recommend this experience to everyone, who is not just learning cooking thai food, but also interested in learning more about the origin and Thai food in general. As a nice 'Add on' Suwannee took pictures and videos while we were preparing and cooking and in the end we got an wonderful short film she cutted for us and of course the recipes of our and some more dishes. For us it was one of the best desicions to join this lesson and of course we would decide to take part again. So go for it! :D
We started the cooking class with a visit to the local market in Chiang Rai to buy ingredients for our four course meal. At the cooking school we tasted different flavors and learned how to prepare a salad, a soup, a curry and a desert. Suwannee was fun and helpful and catered to different needs in the group. She also gave visit recommendations afterwards. I enjoyed my time a lot and the food was delicious.
Suwannee is amazing! We learned so many things about Thai cuisine, the food we cooked was amazing and the tour in the market to buy the local products was a great experience Definitely worth it Plus everything is organic! Thanks again Suwannee
This class was such a treat! We found Suwannee through the recommendation of our local guide, and we were so lucky to have been connected with her. We met her and our classmates at the local market where we took a culinary tour of Thailand and explored the main ingredients of Thai cuisine. We literally shopped together with the locals - you can't get more authentic than this. We chose the dishes we'd make together with the group and bought our ingredients at the market, which we then took to the kitchen to use in our class. Suwannee's kitchen is stunning, the class is so perfectly executed, and her passion for teaching is tangible throughout. We enjoyed every second of this experience, and we cannot recommend this class enough!
Suwanee's cooking class in Chiang Rai is an absolute must-do! I took my boyfriend there for his birthday, and it turned out to be one of his favorite memories from our trip to Thailand. From exploring a local market together to familiarizing ourselves with the ingredients to the hands-on cooking session, Suwanee's patience and guidance were invaluable. Everything we made was amazing and fresh, thanks to her awesome backyard garden. Seriously, you gotta try this class!
There is nothing to say but great things. Wasanndee is ontop of it all. Super organized, flexible and authentic. Actually listened and refined our cooking plan to a T. So impressed! I have taken cooking classes across Asia, Latin America, and Europe, And I can confidently say she nailed it! Everyone can enjoy cooking here, regardless if their experience is more or less. As mentioned she is flexible and varies the ‘speed, gear and heat’ to the individual’s level of experience. This was clutch.
Amazing experience ! Suwannee is so kind and passionate about her job, food , good products (direct in the market with us) and cooking! If you don’t like to cook she will make you want to. The dishes we made were delicious 🙂 so proud of our team . And really good moments in small group , she even made a little souvenir for us . I recommend +++
Amazing teacher and expérience! I loved to learn about the local products. The meals were really tasty! We recommand for sure!
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