Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School
Set within reach of the lively Somphet Market in central Chiang Mai, this cooking school offers a structured full-day experience that moves well beyond standard kitchen instruction. Classes begin with hotel pickup, followed by a guided walk through a local fresh market where instructors introduce participants to the herbs, vegetables, and aromatics that form the backbone of traditional Thai cuisine. The farm kitchen itself sits in a garden setting that visitors consistently describe as peaceful and visually beautiful — a calm contrast to the busy market visit that precedes it. Once at the kitchen, participants work hands-on through the preparation of several classic Thai dishes under close instructor guidance. Named instructors Bo, Luna, and Ally have each drawn repeated praise from visitors for their warmth, enthusiasm, and depth of culinary knowledge. The atmosphere feels personal and unhurried, and the dishes prepared during the session form a generous, satisfying meal at its conclusion. Good to know: The school operates daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, offering flexibility across different travel schedules. Hotel pickup is included, which simplifies logistics for those still finding their bearings in Chiang Mai. Advance booking through the school's website at zabb-elee-cooking.com is strongly recommended to secure a place and confirm session times. Light, comfortable clothing suited to warm market and kitchen environments is advisable.
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Reviews from Google
This was a superb experience! From the moment we were collected from our hotel, our cooking guide Luna shared her enthusiasm and knowledge with such positive energy! We headed to a wonderful market where Luna showed us the herbs and vegetables we would be cooking with, describing their tastes, scents and how they balanced and enhanced each meal! On arrival at the cooking school I was blown away by the beauty of this oasis just a short drive outside of the city! There are numerous cooking stations all set within the most beautiful gardens! Luna's English is perfect and easy to understand and her cooking guidance is clear snd simple to follow! We all got to choose the dishes we wanted to cook and were given an ebook containing every recipe to take home! We had great fun cooking, eating, making new friends abd dancing to the background music! Come hungry and leave full! I was so inspired that I got dropped off at the market where I bought a new wok and a big chopping knife so I can impress my friends and family with my newly acquired cooking skills! A really fun and informative morning that i recommend 💯!!!
This was the most organized tour I have ever booked. It was so convenient having the hotel pick up and then you get to see a local market. Once we got to the farm, it was gorgeous and relaxing. It was nice we got a few minutes for the bathroom and photos before the class started. We had the amazing Bo as our Chef and instructor. She was so nice and detailed with the cooking directions. We made 4 courses and it was so delicious! The staff working would immediately clean up each station and prep the ingredients so we got to do the fun part. The music and atmosphere was really fun too. I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone visiting Chiang Mai and I hope you get to experience this cooking class with Bo.
Amazing Thai cooking experience and the food was delicious and tons of it! The market walk was interesting and fun to learn about the ingredients but making the food was the best! Bo was our instructor. She made it so fun! She was very patient and her style of instruction was easy to follow. Highly recommend! The grounds of the cooking school was spa like and serene. Definitely would do again! Bo was the best!
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 4,417 reviews on Google.
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Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School worth visiting?
Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School holds a 5.0★ rating from 4,417 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated activities & tours in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School?
Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School is typically open 07:00-22:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School?
The best months to visit Chiang Mai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January & Songkran (April) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (smoke & heat).
Where is Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School located?
Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School is at ตลาดสมเพชร Somphet Market(Mingmuang Market 7 Mun Mueang Rd, Tambon Si Phum, เมือง Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city centre).
Location Info
ตลาดสมเพชร Somphet Market(Mingmuang Market 7 Mun Mueang Rd, Tambon Si Phum, เมือง Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand+66 93 267 9572zabb-elee-cooking.com/Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)
Where to stay near Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School
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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 Popular Activities Online
Booking platforms like GetYourGuide give you instant confirmation and, on many activities, free cancellation — and you can read recent reviews before committing. 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.
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Thailand Mountain Trail
Guided multi-day treks and day hikes into northern Thailand's mountains, forests, and hill tribe villages.
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking School
A hands-on Thai cooking school in Chiang Mai's Old City, combining market visits, farm tours, and guided cooking.
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Where to stay near Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School
Find hotels in Chiang Mai on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Agoda
Asia-focused selection
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)