Thai and Akha Cooking Class in Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai, Thailand
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get a taste for the unique flavors of Thai and Akha cooking with this Chiang Mai cooking class. Learn about the culture and cuisine of the Akha people, visit the local market to buy ingredients (morning class only), and learn to prepare several different dishes, both Thai and Akha. A souvenir cookbook from your session is also included, as are transfers from central Chiang Mai hotel.
- Get personal attention from your instructor thanks to the small group size
- See a slice of daily life at a local morning market (morning session only)
- Huge menu spans multiple dishes, including Akha signatures
- Learn professional tips and tricks to getting dishes right at home
Sample Menu
Starter
Start by two Appetizers
The class will start by preparing the famous Papaya Salad and the perfect Fried Spring Rolls.
Dessert
Making two Desserts
Mango Sticky Rice and Pumpkin in Coconut Milk
Main
Three Akha Dishes
In Akha traditions, every meal must have a Chilli Sauce (Sapi Thong), one Salad, and one Soup.
Main
Pick one out of four Curry and Curry Paste
You can choose one of the four most popular Thai curries; Red curry, Green curry, Panang curry, or the Massaman curry.
Main
Pick one out of three Soup
You can choose between the Chicken & Coconut Milk (Tom Kha Gai), the Hot and Sour Prawn Soup (Tom Yum Gong), or the Clear Soup & Egg Tofu
Main
Pick one out of four Stir-Fried
You can choose Pad Thai, Chicken with Cashew Nut, Chicken with Hot Basil, or Sweet and Sour Vegetables.
Main
Everyone can choose their own menu individually
All recipes can be adapted to be cooked: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free. Alternative solutions are available for any food allergies.
What's Included
- Local market tour (only for morning class)
- Individual cooking station
- Akha Hill Tribe coffee
- Full color cook book
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (only within 3 km from city area)
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
What To Expect
Whether you’ve selected the morning or afternoon session, your class begins with pickup from your central Chiang Mai hotel. Morning classes include a visit to a local Chiang Mai market to shop for fresh ingredients for your session, as well as absorbing local color and life.
Once you arrive at the central location, you’ll begin to prepare a variety of dishes, working in a small group with the help of your Akha instructor. Not only will you get a glimpse into Akha culture and food, you’ll also learn about some of the Akha’s unique ingredients as well.
During your session you will prepare two appetizers, a soup, a curry paste and curry, and two desserts, as well as several special Akha-style dishes, such as Akha salad, Akha soup, and *sapi thuong* (tomato dipping sauce).
You’ll finish the day by enjoying your home-cooked meal featuring all your recent creations. Coffee is included, with alcoholic drinks available to purchase should you wish.
Before you leave, your host will provide a special souvenir cookbook you can use to recreate the dishes when you return home. Finish the day with a ride back to your central Chiang Mai hotel.
Once you arrive at the central location, you’ll begin to prepare a variety of dishes, working in a small group with the help of your Akha instructor. Not only will you get a glimpse into Akha culture and food, you’ll also learn about some of the Akha’s unique ingredients as well.
During your session you will prepare two appetizers, a soup, a curry paste and curry, and two desserts, as well as several special Akha-style dishes, such as Akha salad, Akha soup, and *sapi thuong* (tomato dipping sauce).
You’ll finish the day by enjoying your home-cooked meal featuring all your recent creations. Coffee is included, with alcoholic drinks available to purchase should you wish.
Before you leave, your host will provide a special souvenir cookbook you can use to recreate the dishes when you return home. Finish the day with a ride back to your central Chiang Mai hotel.
1
Thai Akha Cooking School
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Visitor are welcome
- Wheelchair accessible
- Come with empty stomach
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Erin_M
This cooking class came highly recommended by friends who took it during their recent vacation. We are so happy we booked it, as it was one of the highlights of our trip! The space was beautifully laid out and well lit. Every work station was immaculate and well stocked, but not cluttered. The class drew participants from a myriad of countries including Germany, France, Brazil, Ireland, Argentina, the US, making it all the more fun and interesting. The lead cooking instructor, On, and her assistant, Eveline, were amazing, talented, easy to follow, and hilarious (huge bonus!). We made 9 dishes, from appetizers to dessert, each one more delicious than the previous. We were given cookbooks, with all the recipes, along with a spice packet. We can't wait to try them at home. BEST experience and we highly recommend. It's a wonderful way to spend the evening, learn how to cook delicious local Thai dishes, mingle with fellow travelers from around the globe, and eat some of the best Thai food you've ever tried. Don't miss it!
Reviews
5.0
based on 4,508 reviews
Michael_C, Apr 2026
Be ready to eat a ton of food that you prepare. Amazing recipes you will take home. The staff and owner are top shelf.
Valentina_W, Apr 2026
It was so much fun, tons of food and Aon was funny and patient ,it was a small group which made very personalized and enjoyable
I highly recommended
Darian_L, Mar 2026
Experience was great. I loved all the food. Pacing of activity was very smooth. The process of cooking and eating was a well-oiled machine. It was slightly difficult to understand Aon at times but that didn’t take away from the experience. Highly recommend this activity.
Helen_L, Mar 2026
This was the best experience my husband and I had in Chiang Mai (which itself is a wonderful place). This cooking class includes a visit to a local market to learn about and purchase the different ingredients needed for the dishes to be prepare.d The class is very well organized and taught by experienced, lovely people. You can choose what you would like to make from a menu, and are in control of how much spice you prefer. We met great people and learned a great deal about Thai cooking and dishes.
Arvinder_G, Mar 2026
Absolutely amazing experience! If you like Thai food you will not be disappointed. Can’t wait to try these recipes when I get home!
Kim_C, Mar 2026
We absolutely loved every second of this tour. I would highly recommend doing the morning class as it includes a trip to the market. We cooked, ate, cooked, and ate so many delicious dishes.
Katie_H, Mar 2026
A fabulous experience. Aon and Mo were super hosts who helped us every step of the way!
I'd recommend the morning class as this includes a trip to the market to select ingredients.
Special shout out to Aon. She is hilarious and made the class incredible.
Dimple_P, Mar 2026
It was great. Learned to cook 10 dishes. My food actually turned out to be very good. I was amazed by cooking skills. Recommend going in starved as there was so much food which I could not eat all it.
Christine_R, Mar 2026
I highly recommend this cooking school experience. It was very organized and a beautiful facility. We each got to choose which dishes we made and ate and there was SO MUCH food.
Carl_K, Mar 2026
The best ! Market visit tried many strange and wonderful things . Each of us had your own cook station in a beautiful setting. Our instructor was a great teacher we felt like we were family. This is a no brainer take this cooking class!
Daniele_S, Feb 2026
Book the morning class. The market is amazing experience!
Very good hosts, perfectly organized and nice location.
Coleen_S, Feb 2026
This is a must do if you enjoy cooking and food! Best cooking class I’ve ever taken anywhere in world! Take the morning class so you can experience the marketplace- you’ll start your food tasting experience there- and go hungry!! We made 10 different dishes- all excellent. You Aso leave with a professional cookbook!
Chelsea_M, Feb 2026
DO NOT MISS THIS !! You try so many things and old world unheard of dishes you would never get at a restaurant
Sam_M, Feb 2026
Amazing day starting with a tour of the food market for tastings and collection of some fresh produce for the class. The cooking school is superbly clean and the day was organised so slickly. We cooked and ate 10 different dishes but it was well paced out. Best cooking class I have been to.
Stacie_L, Jan 2026
The morning cooking class with the market tour was a fantastic experience. We got to see, smell, and taste many of the fruits, vegetables, and herbs that would be used in our recipes. On was an amazing instructor who kept us entertained and on task. She watched all 10 of us closely as we prepared many different dishes.
Charlie_P, Jan 2026
We did the Thai and Akha Cooking Class and it was one of the most enjoyable and genuinely informative things we did in Chiang Mai.
Our teacher, On, was fantastic — warm, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable. She didn’t just walk us through recipes, but explained why ingredients are used certain ways and how Akha and Thai cooking traditions differ. It felt like real cultural insight, not just a cooking demo.
We cooked a wide range of dishes, ate everything we made (come hungry), and came away with skills we’ll actually use again. Relaxed, hands-on, and very well run — highly recommended.
Leo_C, Jan 2026
The Thai Akha Kitchen was a perfect culinary experience. Niti was an exceptionally great instructor, her facility, staff and manner were spot on, inciteful, comforting and humorous. We shared her link to numerous fellow travelers.
Home now and using her cookbook and rediscovering the sensory pleasure of the processes and the results of what we learned in her class.
Peter_A, Jan 2026
A delicious culinary experience, that taught us the skills specific to Northern Thai and Akha cooking, so we can hopefully make some of these wonderful foods at home! The teacher was extremely friendly and helpful. It was a great time.
Avi_K, Jan 2026
This was so much fun! Our whole family, including one teen and one pre-teen, really enjoyed. Niti is a great cook, but above that she made the cooking simple, engaging, and fun. Clear step by step instructions for everything. We were able to make, and learn how to make, an impressive number of dishes during the class, and the food we made all turned out great. Nice touch that she also provides you with a recipe book.
Carol_V, Jan 2026
This is definitely worth doing if you’re at all interested in Thai food! I was on the morning session so we went round the market hearing about some of the food for sale and having snacks. Then we alternated between cooking ourselves at individual stations and watching our instructor cook (with opportunities to participate) Sessions are very smooth flowing - really well planned. Very good atmosphere and lots of breaks ( to eat!) Would definitely recommend.
Shubhra_M, Jan 2026
I am glad we decided to do the morning session, as Niti, our cooking teacher first took us to the morning fresh market, we got to see and learn about the fresh ingredients of Thai cooking. The class itself was really fun and interactive, Niti gave good tips and instructions.
April_K, Dec 2025
We had the best day starting at the local market and learning so many amazing things about the different foods and spices. We also got to try various items, so yummy!! Then off to the cooking class/school. Everything was super organized and we cooked and tried so many delicious dishes. Everyone in my family, including my 11 and 13 year old absolutely loved it! Would 10/10 recommend!!!!
Kelly_M, Dec 2025
Had a great time learning to cook Thai and Asha dishes. The market tour was educational. The instructions we were given were clear and the atmosphere was fun.
lm28476, Dec 2025
This was such a fun and informative activity to do with the family! The staff kept everyone entertained throughout the market tour as well as the cooking class! And the food we made turned out great! Highly recommended!
Rodrigo_E, Dec 2025
Wonderful experience! Rita was an awesome teacher and explained the steps in an easy to follow way. She took us through the market and explained the ingredients we will be using for the meal. The best food I have ever cooked! She also gave us copies of the recipes so we can cook back at home.
Elizabeth_j, Dec 2025
A must do whilst you’re in Chaing Mai. It was fun, informative and the food was delicious. Niti and her team were lots of fun. One tip go hungry. Thank you Niti and team 🥰
Trevis_T, Dec 2025
This is the best cooking class I’ve ever taken. The class was so well organized and 5e dishes were straight forward to make and delicious.
The class is long and you make a lot of dishes. Everything was delicious and easy to understand. It was an extremely well organized event and things went very smoothly.
We cooked and ate nearly 10 dishes but the primary ones that we made on our own were a soup, a curry and a stir fry. How they managed to keep track of us when folks were making different dishes was so impressive.
I loved it.
6j4tcfsyyn, Nov 2025
Excellent experience. Very well organized.
It was a little long for us but still enjoyable.
We would recommend.
Erin_M, Nov 2025
This cooking class came highly recommended by friends who took it during their recent vacation. We are so happy we booked it, as it was one of the highlights of our trip! The space was beautifully laid out and well lit. Every work station was immaculate and well stocked, but not cluttered. The class drew participants from a myriad of countries including Germany, France, Brazil, Ireland, Argentina, the US, making it all the more fun and interesting. The lead cooking instructor, On, and her assistant, Eveline, were amazing, talented, easy to follow, and hilarious (huge bonus!). We made 9 dishes, from appetizers to dessert, each one more delicious than the previous. We were given cookbooks, with all the recipes, along with a spice packet. We can't wait to try them at home. BEST experience and we highly recommend. It's a wonderful way to spend the evening, learn how to cook delicious local Thai dishes, mingle with fellow travelers from around the globe, and eat some of the best Thai food you've ever tried. Don't miss it!
jorizza_C, Nov 2025
What a blast! For us who loves Thai food, this was a really fun class. Learned a lot of recipe's not just Thai but Akha cooking as well. Getting introduced to the ingredients at the local market was very fun!
From $42.00
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