Cooking Class FAQ Chiang Mai

Founded by Akha descendant Niti Muelaeku, Thai Akha Kitchen is the first school in Chiang Mai to beautifully blend classic Thai cuisine with the indigenous heritage of the Akha hill tribe. Discover our full story on our About Us page.

The Morning Class includes a vibrant 1-hour local market tour at Chiang Mai Gate Market. The Evening Class skips the market for a cooler, cozy, and relaxed dinner atmosphere. Both sessions teach you how to cook 11 authentic dishes.

You will master a complete 11-dish journey! You will prepare appetizers, a hand-pounded curry paste, soups, stir-fries, and desserts. Browse our full menu on the Dishes We Cook page.

Our Chiang Mai cooking class is taught entirely in English by our professional local guides. Along the way, you will pick up fascinating Thai and Akha terms that make the experience even more memorable.

No experience needed at all! Our professional Akha teachers will guide you step by step – from how to hold a pestle to how to master the wok. The class is fun and accessible for all levels.

Our Chiang Mai cooking class school is located at 14/10 Rat Chiang Saen 2 Ko. Alley – just a 5-minute walk from the historic Chiang Mai South Gate. For directions, visit our Contact Us page.

Find your preferred food experience, select the relevant package, date and quantity, click ‘Book Now’ and continue to the payment page.
Let the adventures begin!

To Book: Morning Cooking Class
To Book: Evening Cooking Class
To Book: Local Market Tour

The use of the coupon is only valid with direct bookings from our website and payment must be made by Credit Card or PayPal.

How to use the Coupon? Choose the class, click the link below.

To Book: Morning Cooking Class

To Book: Evening Cooking Class

To Book: Local Market Tour

• Choose a date from the calendar.
• Choose the number of participants.
• Enter the coupon code in the “Coupon” section.Click “Verify Coupon” and then click “Use Coupon”.
• Fill out the reservation form under “Contact Information”.
• Under “Choose Pay Method” choose “Pay by Credit Card or Paypal”. Click “I accept to agree to the Terms & Conditions”. Click “Book Now!”.
• A new window will open. Fill out your Credit Card or PayPal information.

Instantly! Our confirmation email is automatic.
If you have not received it, please check your spam or junk folder.
Please Contact Us if you still cannot find our confirmation email.

Customers may cancel their bookings up to 48 hours before the class start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance are non-refundable. For full details, please visit our Terms & Conditions page.

Thai Akha Kitchen accepts the following payment methods:

Booking Online:
Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Cash on Arrival

Payment at the School:
Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Alipay, Cash (Baht, US Dollar, Euro), Cryptocurrency USDT

Please note that paying by card at the school incurs a 3% bank fee.

Yes, you can pay cash directly on the day of your class.
We accept: Thai Baht, US Dollar, Euro.

You can be safe in the knowledge that we use third-party secure payment gateways (PayPal) to process your payment.

Yes! We provide complimentary pick-up and drop-off for all Chiang Mai cooking class guests within our service area. For full details on pickup zones and meeting points, please visit our Pick-Up Area and Meeting Point page.

If you are staying outside the free pickup zone, we have designated meeting points at easily recognizable landmarks. Check all the details on our Pick-Up Area and Meeting Point page.

Absolutely not! Every student gets their own individual cooking station, wok, and stone mortar. You control exactly what goes into your dish – the spice level, the ingredients, everything. No sharing, ever!

Yes! Non-cooking companions can join as Visitors to watch and taste the food. Each paying cook may bring a maximum of 1 Visitor. Please Contact Us directly for specific group requests.

Never. We pound all ingredients by hand from scratch using traditional stone mortars. This releases deep essential oils and authentic aromas that electric blades would destroy. It is the traditional Akha way, and it makes all the difference in flavor!

Yes! Because you cook at your own individual station, there is zero cross-contamination. We perfectly adapt recipes using fresh tofu and mushroom sauce. Just let us know your dietary preference when you arrive.

Yes, it is completely safe. We manage severe allergies with creative premium substitutes – for example, roasted pumpkin seeds instead of peanuts. Please inform us of any allergies at the beginning of the lesson.

No, our kitchen is strictly free of red meat and pork. We only use fresh chicken, high-quality shrimp, or organic tofu. This makes our classes welcoming for guests with religious or dietary restrictions.

You decide the heat! Because you pound your own chilies at your individual station, you control the fire. We offer 5 distinct spice levels – from mild to the explosive Akha Warrior – so everyone finds their perfect match.

We visit the Chiang Mai Gate Market (Bumrung Buri Market), one of Chiang Mai’s oldest, most vibrant traditional markets.

Yourself and some enthusiasm to learn is all you need!

Yes of course! We welcome private groups and travel agencies. Please Contact Us directly via email or phone to arrange your special event.

Yourself and an open mind! We will provide everything you need (a bag with a bottle of water, umbrella, pen, handbook with information about what you will find and sanitary tissues).
Bring your camera though – you might want to capture the moment you eat a silkworm, ant egg or pink egg!

Don’t worry! Just let us know beforehand about your needs and we’ll make sure to point out the foods that could pose a problem for you.

The tour is structured to get the most out of visiting a Local Fresh Market. We begin by meeting up – follow this link for meeting point details – and having a Thai traditional breakfast together.

We then explore the market’s different sections, choose food to try, and walk to the park to enjoy the meal together. Overall, the tour takes around four hours.

No. All the food we’ll try is included in the cost of the class. You have no limit on what you can try – if you see something you like, just let us know and we’ll take care of ordering and paying for you.

You don’t, but we encourage you to at least give them a try! You might come across your new favorite snack or dish. As they say, you never know until you try.

No problem. We spend most of the tour under the roof of the market, and we provide an umbrella for you in case it rains when we walk outside.

This is a great idea! However, please note that the market tour and the cooking class are separate bookings. If you do the market tour and decide you want to take the evening cooking class, please talk to your instructor to see if there’s space.

We’ll finish at Buak Hard Park in the southwest part of the Old City, a lovely area to walk around in. It’s also close to several temples you can visit, and there is an excellent massage parlor with reasonable prices within the park.

Absolutely. Our instructors understand that some foods can be intimidating, and they’re happy to work with you to find what you might like. But we encourage you to be adventurous: it’s the spirit of travel!

Our Online Cooking Class is a live, interactive session via video call – Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, or Facebook – where an expert Thai Akha instructor guides you through an authentic recipe, step by step, from the comfort of your own kitchen. Discover all details on our Online Cooking Class page.

You can choose from 6 signature courses: Khao Soi (Chiang Mai noodles), Tom Yum Soup, Akha Fish Filet, Stir-Fried Vegetables, Leng Saap, and Massaman Curry.

Choose your course and review the ingredient list, book your preferred date and time, connect with us on Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, or Facebook, then cook live with your instructor. Download the full Ingredients CheckList before your class.

Not at all! The class is designed for all levels – from complete beginners to experienced cooks who want to learn authentic Thai techniques straight from the source. Your instructor will adapt the pace to your level.

No problem. Just send us a message before your class and we will suggest alternatives available in your area. Contact Us anytime.

Yes! All recipes can be adapted to vegan, vegetarian, or pescatarian diets. We always provide alternative solutions for food allergies. Just let us know your dietary needs when booking.

Duration and pricing vary by course. Visit our Online Cooking Class page for full details, or Contact Us for a custom session.