Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School
Set within the lively Somphet Market in central Chiang Mai, this cooking school offers a full-day experience that goes well beyond the kitchen. Classes begin with hotel pickup, followed by a guided walk through a local market where instructors introduce participants to fresh Thai ingredients in their natural setting — explaining how to select, identify, and understand the produce that defines traditional Thai cuisine. The farm and cooking kitchen itself is described by visitors as peaceful and garden-surrounded, offering a calm contrast to the bustling market visit. Once in the kitchen, participants work hands-on through the preparation of classic Thai dishes under the guidance of knowledgeable instructors. Named instructors Bo, Luna, and Ally have each drawn praise for their warmth, energy, and depth of knowledge, creating an atmosphere that feels personal rather than generic. Portions are generous, and the food prepared during class forms a satisfying meal at the end of the session. Good to know: The school operates daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, offering flexibility across different travel itineraries. The included hotel pickup makes logistics straightforward, particularly for those unfamiliar with navigating Chiang Mai. Booking in advance through the school's website at zabb-elee-cooking.com is strongly recommended to secure a spot and confirm class times. Comfortable, casual clothing suitable for warm kitchen and market environments is advisable.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Visitor Reviews
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 💯!!!
Best Cooking Class Experience Ever! 👩🍳✨ The experience started with a convenient pick-up service, followed by a guided tour of the local market led by our instructor, Bo. She introduced us to different local ingredients and shared interesting insights along the way. After that, we headed to an incredibly beautiful cooking school campus that honestly looked almost too stunning to be real. The entire environment was immaculate, modern, and thoughtfully designed. Bo was extremely professional and managed the class at a perfect pace. Her instructions were clear and easy to follow, and most importantly, she was incredibly fun and engaging. Thanks to her, our class was filled with laughter from beginning to end. It truly made the whole experience unforgettable. I highly recommend this place. If you’re lucky enough to have Bo as your instructor and guide, you’ll understand exactly what I mean. It’s absolutely worth every penny! 🌟
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.
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/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.
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Tha Phae Gate
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Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Bustling night market featuring street food vendors & local crafts, plus souvenirs.

Wat Phra That Doi Kham
A hilltop golden Buddha temple near Chiang Mai offering panoramic city views, free entry, and genuine tranquillity.
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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)