Cooking with Poo and Friends

5.0(112 reviews)

Led by the warm and knowledgeable Poo and her team, this Bangkok cooking school offers one of the city's most authentic culinary experiences. Based in the Khlong Toei area, the class begins with a guided tour of a local wet market, where participants source fresh ingredients alongside their instructor — an eye-opening introduction to Thai produce, herbs, and the occasionally confronting realities of a working neighbourhood market. From there, the group moves to the cooking space, where multiple traditional Thai dishes are prepared from scratch. The experience is structured for small groups, which keeps the atmosphere relaxed and personal. Poo's teaching style is approachable and generous, making the class accessible to complete beginners while still engaging for more confident home cooks. Participants consistently highlight both the quality of the food they prepare and the cultural insight that comes from learning in a residential community rather than a sanitised tourist setting. A pickup service from the Emporium shopping centre in central Bangkok is available, making logistics straightforward. Good to know: The wet market portion of the tour is vivid and unfiltered — live animals and unfamiliar ingredients are part of the experience, so those with a sensitive stomach may want to come prepared. Booking in advance is strongly recommended, as class sizes are limited. Contact the school directly to confirm current schedules, pricing, and dietary accommodations before your visit, as this information is not listed online.

Experience hints

Hidden gem

Visitor favorite

Pair your visit. After Cooking with Poo and Friends, round out your day in Bangkok with contrasting stops nearby.

Visitor Reviews

The highlight of our stay in Thailand! The wet market was a unique experience that I would never have seen without a local guide. I'm happy to avoid cooking with the frogs and bugs we saw there! Highly recommend booking the morning menu for that experience alone. Do make sure you wear shoes that can take a puddle or the occasional escaped catfish flopping over them. The three dishes we cooked used some of the fresh vegetables bought from the market. They were easy to follow and delicious. Poo and her team are very warm, and it was great to hear the backstory and see the cooking studio next to Poo's childhood home supporting her local community. Don't eat before you go! You eat each dish as you make it, and it would be a shame to waste such amazing food.

A must do if you are at all interested in Thai cooking. Poo and staff were so welcoming. They gave us a guided tour of the wet market where we purchased ingredients, then we were whisked by their bus to the kitchen where we were given a masterclass in preparing delicious Thai dishes. The class is in Poo's family home deep in one of Bangkok's poorer neighborhoods. It is a wonderful space which is both intimate and well equipped. Everyone there was friendly and knowledgeable. We came away having cooked and eaten a world class, four course meal. Inspiring, fascinating and motivating. I can't recommend this enough.

Great experience with a really sweet crew. The market tour was definitely authentic (not for the squeamish) and everything we made was absolutely delicious. The class wasn't too crowded, and there's AC, tea, and cold water inside. Ends with a bunch of tasty local fruits and desserts. You can see how money from the classes is directly impacting the neighborhood around Poo which is very cool. Bring small bills in case you want to buy snacks at the market, and big bills in case you want to buy souvenirs from Poo.

Location Info

100/103, Khwaeng Khlong Tan, Khet Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand

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Tips for Visiting Activities & Tours

Vet Elephant Sanctuaries

Only visit sanctuaries that prohibit riding, use no chains or bullhooks, and let elephants roam freely. Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai set the standard. If a place offers painting shows or circus tricks, walk away.

Book Through Klook or GetYourGuide

These platforms offer instant confirmation, free cancellation on most activities, and prices that are often lower than walk-up rates. Compare with local agencies for multi-day trips where negotiation might save more.

Do Outdoor Activities in the Morning

Heat and humidity peak from noon to 3 PM. Schedule jungle treks, cycling tours, and outdoor cooking classes for early morning. Water activities are more flexible since you're in and out of the sea.