Authentic Thai Cooking Class Experience in Chiang Mai – Mama Noi Review. One of the highlights of our 8-day Northern Thailand trip was taking a Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai—and trust me, it’s an experience you don’t want to miss! We booked a half-day session with Mama Noi Thai Cooking School, and it turned out to be one of the most immersive, educational, and fun activities on our trip.
For more tips before traveling to Thailand, check out our Things to Know Before Visiting Thailand guide.
How the Day Started at Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai
Our class started in the morning at a local market in Chiang Mai. From there, they take you to the cooking school. If your hotel is within their pickup zone, Mama Noi offers free pickup and drop-off service. So, make sure to check with them when you plan for this experience. Since we had a rental car, we parked right in front of the market for just 20 THB and drove ourselves to the school afterward.
We arrived early and had the place to ourselves for a bit, which gave us a chance to soak in the surroundings and chat with our lovely instructor, Blue. She welcomed us warmly and gave us a quick introduction to the cooking school setup.
Outdoor or Indoor – You Choose!
You can pick between an outdoor cooking area (which we did!) or an air-conditioned indoor space. The campus is lively, with multiple cooking classes going on at the same time. Each group wears different colored aprons—we were Team Purple with 9 of us.
Garden Tour & Thai Herbs Lesson
Before we got to the food, Blue led us on a short garden tour where she introduced native Thai herbs, chilies, and vegetables commonly used in Thai cuisine. It was a small but insightful walk that helped us understand Thai cooking on a deeper level.
Menu & Cooking Fun
Once back at our station, we were handed a menu to choose our dishes. You get to cook:
- 1 soup
- 2 main courses
- 1 dessert – Mango with sticky rice
- And bonus: Thai Iced Tea!
We picked a variety of dishes to get the most out of the experience, and Blue made sure each one of us cooked our dishes right—always with a smile, lots of encouragement, and tips to perfect the flavors.
The Feast & Takeaways
The best part? You get to eat everything you make! The portions were generous—enough for both of us to feel full and still pack some leftovers to take back to our hotel. The food was DELICIOUS and we were so proud of what we made.
More photos of our cooking class session can be found here
Why You Should Book This Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai
Whether you’re a beginner or a foodie, Mama Noi Thai Cooking School is the perfect introduction to Thai culinary culture. It’s hands-on, informative, and honestly just a blast. Our instructor Blue was organized, knowledgeable, and so enthusiastic—it really made the class memorable.
So if you’re planning a trip to Northern Thailand, don’t miss out on a Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai. It’s more than just a meal—it’s an unforgettable cultural experience.
Quick Info:
- Class Type: Half-day
- Where: Mama Noi Thai Cooking School, Chiang Mai
- Booking: Book directly on their official website or via Agoda
- What to Bring: Camera, appetite, and comfy clothes
- Cost: usually ~$22 per person – well worth it!
- Market Parking: 20 THB near the market if you self-drive
- Parking in front of school: Free, lots of space available
Ready to dive into Thai cuisine? Add this experience to your Chiang Mai itinerary!
For more Northern Thailand adventures, check out our full Thailand Travel Tips blog.
