Overview
On this food adventure, experience the fresh aromas and delightful spices that make Thai food legendary. Loose yourself in the beauty and chaos of dazzling Bangkok. Browse traditional floating markets and learn how to cook the most famous Thai delicacies at our riverside cooking school. This itinerary allows you to get to know the real “city of angels” under the guidance of our chefs and food experts.
Recommended for:
If you like to join a small group of like-minded companions for cooking classes in Thailand and also cherish your privacy. It is the best of both worlds – convivial classes in the mornings and exploring at your own pace on most afternoons and evenings!
Highlights:
Location
For centuries visitors to Bangkok have come to marvel at its exotic wonders among them ancient temples, royal palaces, and teeming markets. With its bright blue skies, glittering golden Buddhas, saffron-hued monks’ robes, and brilliantly white temples, aromas, flavours and some of the best spas in the world “the city of angels” is truly a feast for all senses.
Bangkok features both old-world charm and modern convenience, at times served up in an apparently chaotic manner, but always with a gracious smile.
Your hotel is a gem excellently situated within easy reach of all Bangkok’s main attractions – A little oasis amidst the buzz and culture of this wonderful city.
- Quiet setting on the banks of the Chao Phraya River
- A 3 minute boat ride to the cooking school
- A short walk from the city’s famous skytrain
- Only a short boat ride from the breathtaking Grand Palace
About the cooking course
Organised by some of the country’s leading chefs and cooking instructors, the program covers every major facet of Thai cooking.
All participants will graduate with the skills needed to create Thai feasts of the highest standards. At the same time, they will gain insights into the fascinating culture and traditions of Thailand. All classes are limited to groups of 15 people, so that each participant can enjoy as much personal interaction as possible. Regular classes are conducted in English and consist of a brief lecture followed by a demonstration and hands-on participation, followed by a sumptuous meal.
Sample Dishes
Chicken in coconut milk soup – Tom Kha Gai
Stir-fried squid with chilli jam – Pla Muek Phad Prig Phao
Spiced prawn soup – Tom Yam Goong
Chicken in pandanus leaves – Gai Haw Bai Toey
Grilled chicken in peanut sauce – Satay
Stir-fried pork with holy basil – Gaphrao Moo
Fish cake – Thordman Pla
Green chicken curry – Gaeng Kheaw Waan Gai
Green papaya salad – Som Tam
Thai stir-fried noodle – Phad Thai
Sweet&sour fish soup, ginger – Tom Som Pla
Pumpkin in coconut milk – Fugthong Gaenbuad
Dumpling with herbed crab – Chaw Muang
Tempura lemongrass salad – Yam Takhrai Krob
Steamed fish in spicy lime sauce – Pla Nueng Manao
Stir-fried chicken, cashew nuts – Gai Phad Medmamuang
Prawn red curry with pineapple – Gaeng Khua Supparot Goong
Sweet mango with sticky rice – Khaoniaw Mamuang
Streetfood
Pull up a plastic chair at some of the open-air stalls for some fragrant Bangkok-style dishes. Until you’ve eaten on a Bangkok street, your noodles mingling with a cloud of exhaust fumes, you haven’t actually eaten Thai food. It can be an overwhelming mix: spicy, sour, sweet and salty.
But for adventurous foodies and many gourmets who don’t need white tablecloths, there’s probably no better dining destination in the world. And with every regional Thai and international cuisine being imported to the capital, it’s also a truly diverse experience.
Accommodation
For more than 135 years, travelers have followed the Chao Phraya River to stay at this legendary hotel.
A haven of calm on the banks of the river, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is a truly remarkable hotel. A sophisticated retreat in one of the world’s most exciting cities with a high reputation for style, service and excellence. Timeless yet contemporary, classic yet cutting-edge, this is the ultimate Bangkok address.
Experience its luxurious facilities, including a massage at the luxury spa, superb dining venues, gardens, pools, and fabled riverside activities.
Dates 2024
Itineraries are available year-round.
Our sample itineraries are based on a 3 or 5 day trip but can be tailor-made to any length.
Note that Saturdays and Sundays includes a market visit.
High season: Sept – March
Middle season: April – September
Monsoon season: June- September
Prices 2024
per person from*
3 night/4 days
from USD 1390 per person in double occupancy room
from USD 1990 in single room
5 night/6 days
from USD 1990 per person in double occupancy room
from USD 2890 in single room
* depending on season
Includes
- Limousine transfer to and from Bangkok International Airport
- Welcome Thai gourmet dinner
- 60 minutes Jet Lag Massage at The Oriental Spa
- Two or four-day Thai cooking classes (9 am – 1 pm)
- Two or four lunches after the course
- Renowned Thai Chef Instructors
- Comprehensive recipes in English
- All ingredients
- Three or five nights accommodation in Superior Room, River Wing
- Daily Buffet Breakfast at The Verandah
- Guided night street food tour with culinary expert
Excludes
- Travel to and from Bangkok
- Dinners (except first night)
- 17.7% Service Charge and Government Value Added Tax
Getting There
Nearest airport is Bangkok. We will arrange transfers to and from the airport to hotel.
Map
Sunday
Arrive in Bangkok and transfer in limousine to the Oriental Hotel.
Welcome dinner at The Sala Rim Naam Restaurant.
Monday
Buffet breakfast at The Verandah, overlooking the river.
Take a boat for your morning class at the Thai Cooking School:
Introduction and origins of Thai cooking. Ingredients, herbs and spices.
Khong waang (snacks, hors d’oeuvres), salads.
Luncheon.
Tuesday
Buffet breakfast at The Verandah, overlooking the river.
Take a boat for your morning class at the Thai Cooking School:
Tom and faeng (soups and its varieties). Khong waan (desserts).
Fruit and vegetable carvings.
Luncheon.
Wednesday
Buffet breakfast at The Verandah, overlooking the river.
Take a boat for your morning class at the Thai Cooking School:
Krueang gaeng and krueang kiang (curries, condiments and side-dishes).
Luncheon.
Thursday
Buffet breakfast at The Verandah, overlooking the river.
Take a boat for your morning class at the Thai Cooking School:
Nueng, paad, thod and yaang (seam, stir-fry, fry and grill). Menu preparation and selection. How to order.
Luncheon.
Friday
Buffet breakfast at The Verandah, overlooking the river.
Departure.
Afternoons and evenings are at leisure to explore the stunning sights of Bangkok.
Book your Jet-lag massage at The Oriental Spa at your own leisure.
Happy guests…
Among the many awards received:
Best for Food, Best for Service
Conde Nast Traveler(US), Gold List
Voted Best City Hotel in Asia
Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards
Voted the 3rd Best Hotel in the World
Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards
Amazing holiday
“It was an amazing holiday and I just wanted to say a huge thank you for helping to organize it. I will definitely go on another holiday with you…”
Sohini P., London, UK
Fantastic vacation. Made us feel like insiders.
“Thank you so much for our food experience will last in our memory forever. Accommodation in our luxury room overlooking the river, restaurant serving excellent Thai food, cooking school teaching you the secrets of Thai cuisine, outstanding spa facility to indulge yourself after a long day out. I have no more adjectives to describe. It’s a beautiful location on the river and yet at a comfortable distance from all the sights and city center. Highly recommended!!!
One of the highlights of our week was our food tour. A fantastic education in Thai food and the ingredients they use. Our tour guide was Tim and he made the experience very fun and interesting. Each vendor was a different dish and he had each of us go up and order in Thai. It was kind of fun and everyone got in on the action. At each vendor, he would take the time to go over the food, the ingredients and how to eat it. It helps those like us who are a little wary of street food to know what to look for in determining quality.
All in all it was a fantastic vacation, one that made us feel like insiders. Can’t wait to come back for more!”
Pete H., Boston, US