Top 10 Best Places to Learn Thai Cooking in Thailand

Rowan (Guinness Bear) 9 min read

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Thailand is known for its lively culture, beautiful beaches, and tasty food. Cooking traditional Thai food is a great way to experience Thai culture. Thailand has many cooking schools and classes, each teaching Thai food differently, so it can be hard to pick the right one.

Thai food has won hearts worldwide with its intense flavors, the perfect balance of different taste buds, and the use of fresh, lively vegetables. Whether you are an experienced or a beginner, joining the place where it all began is better. There is no better way to learn about this exciting cuisine.

Importance of Learning Thai Cooking in Thailand

Thailand is a great place to learn Thai food because it is a cultural experience beyond just cooking lessons. You can learn about the local habits, customs, and way of life while improving your cooking skills. You will also learn the skills and tastes while understanding the culture behind each dish.

You may find out how to cook with authentic Thai tastes that are hard to find outside Thailand by getting fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables from local stores. You'll discover how friendly and helpful Thai people are as you cook with them.

Best Places to Learn Thai Cooking in Thailand

Now, let's go on a food adventure across Thailand and discover its wide range of dishes. This adventure includes full Thai cooking experiences with hands-on lessons, tours of local markets, and information about the rich food culture.

Below is my curated list of the top 10 cooking schools in Thailand.

1. Sompong Thai Cooking School
2. Blue Elephant Cooking School
3. Chef LeeZ Thai Cooking School
4. Thai Farm Cooking School
5. Pantawan Cooking School
6. Pum Thai Cooking School
7. Red Chili Cooking School
8. A Lot of Thai Cooking School
9. Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts (SITCA)
10. Time for Lime

What are you waiting for? Explore Thai food and culture with me at one of these top culinary schools. 

#1 Sompong Thai Cooking School

The Sompong Thai Cooking School is located in the beautiful city of Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok). It offers a one-of-a-kind and traditional cooking experience. This school uses fresh vegetables from their yard and is run by the local cook, Sompong.

Chef Sompong teaches traditional skills and shares what he knows about how different herbs and spices used in Thai food can help people feel better. You will learn how to pick the best products for your meals while you are at the local market as part of this interactive cooking experience.

#2 Blue Elephant Cooking School

Blue Elephant Cooking School is an excellent place for Thai food lovers to learn how to cook. It is in the middle of Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok). The famous school is in a beautiful 100-year-old home that shows off the wealth and beauty of Thai buildings. Classes are available for students of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. This makes it a great choice for both new and experienced cooks.

The thing that makes Blue Elephant stand out is that it is committed to being authentic. The trained cooks at the school emphasize how important it is to use fresh, locally found products and traditional Thai cooking methods. They learn to fill stews and light treats with the help of skilled teachers. This intensive experience helps students improve at cooking and teaches much about Thai culture and customs.

#3 Chef Leez Thai Cooking School

In Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok), Chef LeeZ Thai Cooking School provides a complete learning experience. This culinary school is renowned for its hands-on method of cooking. It is run by Chef LeeZ, a passionate and experienced chef with over 20 years of experience. Small classes allow students to get individualized help and learn independently.

Students not only learn how to make traditional Thai meals but also about the cultural meanings and health benefits of the different products. Students can also pick vegetables from the school's organic yard for their meals. It's fun and easygoing at Chef LeeZ Thai Cooking School, which is a great choice for anyone wanting to learn how to cook like a local in Thailand.

#4 Thai Farm Cooking School

Thai Farm Cooking School is in the beautiful farmland of Chiang Mai. It gives a one-of-a-kind cooking experience with a view of peaceful mountains and lush green rice fields. This school teaches traditional northern Thai food so students can learn about this area's unique tastes and foods.

This school allows only around eight students per class. The groups are kept small so the cook can give each person individual attention. The cooking workshop at the school is in a traditional Thai teakwood house, which gives students an authentic and comfortable place to learn. Thai Farm Cooking School welcomes beginners and expert cooks, giving you a greater understanding of Thai food. 

#5 Pantawan Cooking School

Unfortunately, Pantawan Cooking, located in Chiang Mai, is permanently closed. Although that's the case, I added this Thai Cooking School to my curated list as it's still undoubtedly one of the best places to learn Thai cooking in Thailand. They let people of all ages have fun while they cook. With a focus on traditional Thai foods, this school was great for anyone wanting to have fun while learning to make real Thai food. The classes were small, so everyone could learn how to make each dish themselves. 

Teaching Thai history and practices is something that the teachers at Pantawan Cooking are very interested in, along with food. They go to a nearby market as part of the lesson to learn how to choose the best materials for a dish. Pantawan Cooking is different because it focuses on being environmentally friendly. The school does everything eco-friendly, from buying locally grown food to putting leftovers in containers that can be used repeatedly. Because they care about the environment, they not only make food more enjoyable, but they also encourage responsible tourists.

#6 Pum Thai Restaurant & Cooking School 

The Pum Thai Restaurant & Cooking School is located in Phuket. Here, you learn how to cook with a modern twist. State-of-the-art kitchens are available at the school, which gives kids a professional and safe place to learn. Pum Thai Restaurant & Cooking School students can choose between half-day and full-day classes to fit the best time. The school teaches a wide range of Thai foods with a modern twist, from traditional dishes to mixed recipes. 

One thing that makes Pum Thai Restaurant & Cooking School stand out is that they teach students how to make their curry paste from scratch. Additionally, this makes the learning experience more real and allows students to choose how spicy their meals are. People who want to try something new and learn much about Thai food should attend Pum Thai Restaurant & Cooking School.

#7 Redchili Cooking School

The Redchili Cooking School in Chiang Mai is also among the best places to learn Thai cooking in Thailand, which decided to close permanently. Still, let me share that their Thai cooking lessons were truly taught by skilled cooks who love teaching and sharing what they know about Thai food. The school has both half-day and full-day classes. One of the classes takes students to a nearby market to learn about different foods and how to choose the best ones for cooking. Aside from learning how to make traditional Thai foods, students can also learn how to make popular recipes in other parts of Thailand.

The beautiful outdoor setting of Redchili Cooking School, with green grounds and tropical scenery, is one of its best features. This makes for a calm and peaceful place for students to learn. At Redchili Cooking School, students can learn about different cultures while cooking. This makes for a truly unique and memorable experience. 

#8 A lot of Thai: Home Cooking Class

A lot of Thai: Home Cooking Class is also located in Chiang Mai. They provide people of all skill levels with a complete and unique food experience. Teaching traditional Thai recipes with a focus on using fresh, high-quality products is what A lot of Thai: Home Cooking Class does best. The groups are kept small at this Thai cooking school so the cook can give each student special care. People who want a more individualized experience can also take solo classes at the school. As part of the lessons, students go to the nearby market to learn about the different foods used in Thai cooking.

One thing that makes A lot of Thai: Home Cooking Class stand out is that it is committed to giving students a complete learning experience. At the same time that students cook, they can learn about Thai culture and traditions by doing things like cutting fruit and making traditional treats. 

#9 Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts (SITCA)

Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts (SITCA) is on the beautiful island of Koh Samui. The school is in a lovely open-air kitchen surrounded by tropical plants. This gives students a peaceful and beautiful place to cook. Students can learn how to make traditional Thai meals and dishes from different parts of the country. They can also learn about traditional products and how to use them by visiting a local market as part of their lessons.

One thing that makes Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts (SITCA) stand out is that it focuses on teaching students how to make authentic Thai curry pastes from scratch. In addition to making the cooking experience more authentic, this lets students choose how spicy their food is. The school also teaches students to carve Thai fruits and make traditional desserts.

#10 Time for Lime

Time for Lime is a Thai cooking school located on the stunning island of Koh Lanta. The passionate owner of the school encourages healthy and moral cooking practices. This school has classes that last half a day or all day. One of the things that students do in Time for Lime is go to the local market to learn about different foods. Students can also take a drink class to learn how to make traditional Thai cocktails using local products. 

The focus on preservation is one thing that makes Time for Lime stand out. All of the food at the school is made with organic and locally grown products, and students are urged to cook in ways that are good for the environment.

Thai cooking schools offer a unique and interesting way to learn about Thai food and culture. These schools give students of all skill levels a complete and enjoyable culinary journey. They offer beautiful settings, hands-on cooking experiences, and cultural activities.

These top Thai cooking schools have something for everyone, whether you want to learn how to make traditional Thai foods or dishes from different parts of Thailand. Now is the time to book your class and prepare to taste Thailand's colorful variety of food. Have fun cooking!