Koh Samui is one of the best places in Thailand for taking a Thai food cooking class during your holiday in southern Thailand. The cooking school on Koh Samui will teach you every step, from preparing ingredients, chopping, pounding, and stir-frying to plating and then enjoying a delicious meal you made yourself. Looking for the best Thai food cooking class in Koh Samui? Discover the list of the most popular Koh Samui Thai cooking classes and find our firsthand tips on how to choose a cooking school for the best experience.
Why choose Koh Samui for a Thai food cooking class?
Things that make a Thai cooking class in Koh Samui a good choice:
- Classes here are usually small, allowing you to learn to cook like you're at home in a friendly learning environment with an authentic local experience.
- On Koh Samui, kitchens are often open-air, set amidst nature, near the sea, in gardens, or on mountains. You will learn to cook in a natural, relaxed, and peaceful atmosphere.
- Cooking classes in Ko Samui often utilize more local ingredients and equipment, such as using a mortar and pestle to make fresh curry paste and using charcoal stoves instead of modern kitchen equipment for some dishes. Students will experience more traditional Thai cooking methods.
- Students will learn about and cook using local ingredients, especially those from southern Thailand, including fresh herbs and seafood.
- Some classes offer unique dishes from Koh Samui or Southern Thailand that you can't find anywhere else.
- Most cooking classes include a guided local market tour where students learn to select fresh ingredients and get to know Thai herbs and spices.
- A vegetarian cooking class is an option at most Thai cooking schools in Koh Samui.
Which Koh Samui Thai food cooking class is the best?
Most Koh Samui cooking schools have good review scores that are normally in the range of 4.8-5.0 out of 5 on GetYourGuide. Therefore, choosing one according to the reviews might not be easy.
As travelers have different preferences, consider the criteria detailed below before choosing the best Thai cooking school in Koh Samui.
In case you already know what you are looking for, click here to skip to the list of the most popular Thai cooking classes in Koh Samui.
How to choose the best Thai food cooking class in Koh Samui?
When choosing the best Thai food cooking class in Koh Samui for your experience, the things you should consider are
- Location of cooking school
- Cooking school facilities
- Class schedule
- Dishes cooked
- Additional activities
- Cooking class price
1. Location of cooking school
Cooking schools on Koh Samui are located in different areas of the island, each with a distinct atmosphere. Go Samui Cook is in the north near the Big Buddha, while Samui Good Herb is nestled in the Lamai community. Lamai Thai Cooking School is situated on Lamai Beach near Hin Ta & Hin Yai Rocks, offering stunning ocean views, while Jungle Kitchen is located on a hill in the Bophut area near Fisherman's Village, providing a more natural setting and higher viewpoints than other locations.
Most cooking schools offer free shuttle service from hotels or designated pick-up points. However, choosing a cooking class close to your residence is often a good idea, as it saves travel time. Arriving on time is especially important if your class includes a market visit.
2. Cooking school facilities
All cooking schools provide you with a personal cooking stove and all the ingredients necessary for cooking. While all classes use similar basic equipment, Jungle Kitchen stands out for its use of a charcoal stove and traditional mortar, allowing students to experience more authentic Thai cooking.
3. Class schedule
Most Thai cooking schools in Koh Samui are open almost every day. To check the availability of classes at your chosen cooking school on the specific day, use the forms present in the class list below.
The cooking class schedules in Koh Samui vary in duration. Lamai Thai Cooking School's morning classes start at 8:30, quite early compared to others that start around 10:00. Afternoon classes are around 13:30-14:00. Jungle Kitchen only offers evening classes from 17:00-21:00, but students get to enjoy the most beautiful sunset while cooking.
Normally each school's class lasts approximately 3-4 hours, including the market tour (if available) and the time of eating the food you've cooked.
4. Thai food dishes cooked
The number of dishes prepared in each cooking class at the cooking schools on Koh Samui varies from 3 to 5 dishes. Lamai Thai Cooking School prepares the most dishes, with 5 dishes such as spring rolls, Panang curry, Tom Yum Goong (spicy shrimp soup), Pad Thai, and a dessert like pumpkin in coconut milk.
Next is Go Samui Cook, which offers a daily menu with 4 dishes, followed by Good Herb Thai Cooking Class, which focuses on popular Thai dishes and the use of fresh Thai herbs, also with 4 dishes.
Jungle Kitchen prepares 3 dishes: a soup or salad, a Thai curry, and a stir-fry or noodle dish that students can choose beforehand.
5. Additional activities
Some cooking schools on Koh Samui offer trips to local markets before cooking classes. For example, Go Samui Cook and Samui Good Herb Thai Cooking Class take students to explore local markets to see herbs and vegetables and to purchase ingredients before starting to cook. While Jungle Kitchen doesn't include market trips, they use ingredients from their own organic gardens.
6. Cooking class price
Cooking school prices on Koh Samui vary depending on the duration, number of menu items, and additional activities such as market tours or scenic views. Prices start at 2,500 THB per person for Go Samui Cook, while Jungle Kitchen is the most expensive at approximately 3,900 THB per person due to its smaller class size and natural mountain setting with stunning views.
Most popular Thai food cooking classes in Koh Samui
Explore the list of the most popular Thai cooking classes in Koh Samui with all the necessary details for making a reasoned decision for the best cooking school according to your preferences.
1. Go Samui Cook
Go Samui Cook is a cooking class focusing on local Samui cuisine. Their slogan is "learn by doing," where students will learn to cook from local Samui chefs and taste authentic local Samui dishes.
Location: The cooking school is located in Bo Phut, on the east coast of Koh Samui, not far from Big Buddha Temple and the beaches of Plai Laem and Choeng Mon. (Google Maps).
Facilities: The Go Samui Cook has excellent, fully equipped kitchen facilities. Classes are held in an open kitchen, in an outdoor area with a roof for shade and rain protection.
Class schedule:
- Morning class: from 10:00 to 14:30 (includes market tour)
- Afternoon class: from 14:00 to 18:30 (includes market tour)
Dishes cooked: You can learn to prepare 4 delicious Thai dishes that vary by the day of the week, including Stir-fried Chicken with Holy Basil, Deep-Fried Spring Roll, Sweet Corn with Coconut Milk, and Octopus Roasted with Coconut Milk for the Fantastic Tuesday Menu; and Thai Chicken Coconut Soup, Deep-Fried Shrimp Cakes, Sugar Dumplings with Coconut, and Southern Yellow Thai Curry with Fish for the Wonderful Sunday Menu. In addition, you will learn Thai cooking techniques such as extracting fresh coconut juice and preparing traditional curry pastes.
Additional activities: The class will take you to Bangrak Market, a local market near Big Buddha. During your 30-minute visit to the market, you'll learn about Thai herbs, fresh vegetables, spices, and various ingredients before you start cooking.
Students will receive complimentary seasonal fruits and drinks.
Each student gets a recipe guide to recreate dishes at home.
After the class, students can savor their dishes at school or take them back home.
Price level: Starting from 2,500 THB per person
Transfer: Free shuttle service from the hotel on Koh Samui in major areas such as Lamai, Maenam, and Chaweng. Pickups outside of the Lamai, Maenam, or Chaweng areas are available with an additional fee of 700 THB per person.
Class bookings: Booking Go Samui Cook
2. Samui Good Herb Thai Cooking Class
Samui Good Herb Thai Cooking Class is a cooking school on Koh Samui based on the concept that "Thai food is not difficult." Students can easily take the knowledge home and cook these dishes easily using natural ingredients.
Location: The cooking school is located in the Maret village area near Choeng Mon and Lamai in the northeast beach zone of Koh Samui. (Google Maps).
Facilities: The Samui Good Herb Thai Cooking Class has fully equipped kitchen facilities. A cooking school set up in an open kitchen next to a vegetable garden.
Class schedule:
- Morning class: from 9:00 to 12:00 (includes market tour)
- Afternoon class: from 15:00 to 18:00 (includes market tour)
Dishes cooked: Before starting the class, you'll need to choose 3 dishes and a dessert before heading to the market. For example, you could choose from fried spring rolls, Tom Yum soup, Tom Kha soup, Som Tum (papaya salad), green curry, Massaman curry, Pad Thai, Pad Krapow (stir-fried basil), or even a dessert like banana in coconut milk.
Additional activities: The class will take you to a local market for 30 minutes, where you'll learn about traditional Thai herbs, vegetables, and spices, which you'll then get to use in cooking yourself.
After the class, students can savor their dishes at school or take them back home.
Price level: Starting at 3,200 THB per person
Transfer: Free pickup from the hotel on Koh Samui in major areas, including Choeng Mon, Chaweng, and Chaweng Noi.
Class bookings: Booking Samui Good Herb Thai Cooking Class
3. Jungle Kitchen
Jungle Kitchen on Koh Samui is a cooking school offering a farm-to-table cooking experience in a natural jungle setting. It's perfect for tourists who want to learn how to cook authentic Thai food using traditional Thai equipment and enjoy meals made from organic herbs and vegetables grown in their own garden, all while taking in a stunning dinner with breathtaking views.
Location: The cooking school is located in Bo Phut on a small road leading up the mountain near Fisherman's Village of Koh Samui (Google Maps).
Facilities: The Jungle Kitchen classes are held in an open-air kitchen located in the middle of a garden on a hillside, offering views of the island and the sea. The cooking class uses charcoal and traditional tools by using Thai charcoal stoves instead of modern gas stoves to create a more traditional Thai home atmosphere.
Class schedule:
- Evening Thai Cooking Class: from 17:00 to 21:00
Dishes cooked: At Jungle Kitchen, students will prepare 3 Thai dishes: one Thai soup or salad, one Thai curry made with homemade curry paste, and one stir-fried or noodle dish. The menu will be determined on the morning of the class after asking for students' preferences. Some ingredients can be changed according to dietary restrictions (e.g., vegetarian or food allergies).
Additional activities: The class begins with a visit to a large organic farm to harvest fresh ingredients for cooking.
Students will receive a complimentary welcome drink, water, and soda water.
After the class, students can savor their dishes at school.
Price level: Starting from 3,900 THB per person (pricier private classes are also available)
Transfer: Free shuttle service from Fisherman's Village only. Pickups outside Fisherman's Village can be arranged at a cost.
Class bookings: Booking Jungle Kitchen
4. Lamai Thai Cooking School
Lamai Thai Cooking School is a small Thai cooking class in the Lamai area of Koh Samui. The chef provides close instruction, and students will prepare five Thai dishes, including curries, soups, stir-fries, and desserts. The learning environment is relaxed and beautiful, right by the sea.
Location: The Lamai Thai Cooking School is located in Lamai, Koh Samui, near Hin Ta Hin Yai and Lamai Beach (Google Maps).
Facilities: The Lamai Thai Cooking School classes are held in a fully equipped kitchen, which is an open kitchen situated by the sea, allowing students to enjoy ocean views during their classes.
Class schedule:
- Morning class: from 08:30 to 12:30
- Afternoon class: from 13:30 to 17:30
Dishes cooked: You can learn to prepare 5 delicious Thai dishes. This includes one appetizer (such as spring rolls or glass noodle salad or seafood salad), three main courses (such as green curry or Massaman curry, Tom Yum Goong or Tom Kha Gai, and Pad Thai or chicken with cashew nuts), and one dessert (such as pumpkin in coconut milk or banana in coconut milk).
Additional activities: Each student receives a comprehensive recipe book to recreate dishes at home.
After the class, students can savor their dishes at school in a serene coastal setting.
Price level: Starting from 2,800 THB per person
Transfer: Free shuttle service from the hotel on Koh Samui near the main road.
Class bookings: Booking Lamai Thai Cooking School
Other Thai Food Experiences in Koh Samui
In addition to attending a Thai cooking class in Koh Samui, there are plenty of other special culinary experiences on this beautiful island.
Koh Samui Street Food Tour
You can take a culinary tour of over 15 Thai dishes on Koh Samui such as boat noodles, chicken curry puffs, Samui red-sauce fried rice, shrimp paste fried rice, fried papaya salad, chicken larb, fried fish, and traditional curries like chicken banana stalk curry, finishing with a dessert of egg yolk ice cream, by visiting 8-9 restaurants around the old town streets of Na Thon on a Coconut Corners Food Tour with 15+ tastings.
Afternoon Tea in Koh Samui
Experience a luxurious and unique afternoon tea amidst stunning ocean views at W T-Time in W Koh Samui. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea creatively customized with a blend of flavors from around the world, including both sweet and savory items. The menu is complete with a selection of teas, coffees, and tea-infused cocktails, all served with impeccable service.
Koh Samui Boat Trip & BBQ On Board
This Mr. Ung's private boat trip is an exceptional fishing and snorkeling trip on a traditional wooden fishing boat off Koh Samui. Besides catching big fish and snorkeling in the Gulf of Thailand and visiting the beautiful Koh Tan and Koh Mud Sum, you'll also enjoy a BBQ lunch on board or take your catch home.