Arun Thai Cooking Class review – Local cooking experience Bangkok

if you’re looking to do something truly immersive (and delicious) in Bangkok other than an ordinary shopping experience, the Arun Thai Cooking Class is a must-try.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a passionate foodie, a home cook wanting to refine your Thai cooking skills or simply looking for a unique date idea in Bangkok, you’re likely to have as much fun as we did at this cooking experience.

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First Impressions

The moment we arrived, we could tell that this was a professionally run and well-maintained cooking school. The space was newly renovated, clean, and exuded warmth with its wooden decor. The charming details from the sunshine-inspired logo to the beautifully arranged utensils and leaf-shaped table mats made us feel like we were about to embark on something special.

A Market Tour

Before we even got to the cooking, the experience kicked off with a local wet market tour. We hopped onto a traditional tuk-tuk arranged by the school and were guided through the bustling market by our instructor.

It wasn’t just a simple walk-through. We got a crash course on essential Thai ingredients like curry powders, fresh seafood, meats, vegetables, and fruits. One of the highlights was watching the preparation of coconut cream and milk from fresh coconuts, something that gave us a deeper appreciation for Thai cuisine. I thought that this part of the class was really eye-opening and interactive, setting the stage for the hands-on cooking to come.

Learning how to be a chef

With our fresh ingredients in hand, we returned to the school, rolled up our sleeves like a chef and got to work.

Four classic Thai dishes were on the menu: Massaman Curry, Tom Yum Goong, Pad Thai, Mango Sticky Rice.

What I absolutely loved about this class was how hands-on it was. We didn’t just watch and follow; we had to pick out ingredients, chop, stir-fry, grind, and plate everything ourselves. In comparison, some of the other cooking classes we’ve tried, whether it’s in Bangkok or other countries, had a little too much lecturing and watching.

The curry paste grinding session was unexpectedly fun. It was a team effort and turned into a mini arm workout! While most dishes were individually prepared (which meant we could all taste our own creations), the sticky rice and curry paste were done as a group, adding a nice collaborative element to the session.

One downside of the class is that they currently offer only a single menu, which shouldn’t be an issue for most tourists since this is likely a one-time experience for them anyway. In terms of the menu options, this is pretty similar to most Thai cooking class, so you’re not missing out. However, regular customers can enquire about trying something different, as they are open to accommodating requests.

But how did they taste?

After all the cooking, we finally got to sit down and enjoy our own creations.

The Arun Thai Cooking Class is a fantastic way to learn about Thai cuisine in a fun, interactive and engaging way. The instructors were friendly, the setting was beautiful, and the experience felt thoughtfully curated.

Oh, and if language is a concern, they offer classes in both English and Chinese!

Price: 1,700 Baht per person

  • Morning Class: 9am to 12.15pm
  • Afternoon Class: 2pm to 5.15pm

Do I have to make a reservation?

Due to limited slots daily, we recommend making a reservation in advance on their website.

Location: 24/42 Itsaraphap Rd, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600, Thailand
Opening hours: 9am-6pm

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Monice Cheung

A passionate baker at day and blogger at night, Monice’s life revolves around nothing less than food and cakes. Despite facing cakes all day, her true love is in fact sushi and steamboat. Her passion for food and travel has also sparked her initial interest in penning down her experiences on her personal blog – m0nice.com