Gastronomic Experiences in Chiang Mai

There are several different ways to dive into Thai cuisine on a culinary experience in Chiang Mai.

Whether you want to surround yourself with the excitement of a street food market, taste regional dishes or witness a thrilling, traditional dance show while you eat, you'll find a tour to suit you.

Alternatively, learn how to assemble the city's most celebrated recipes yourself, providing you with the skills to recreate authentic Thai dishes for life.

Cooking classes

One of the best ways of diving deep into Thai culture is by learning how to prepare a traditional meal. Cooking classes encourage you to discover new ingredients and develop your culinary techniques.

Put the pre-prepared jars down and learn how to perfect your own curry paste from scratch, pounding fragrant spices together until the flavors combine flawlessly together.

With a local teaching you the art of Thai cooking, you'll create classic Asian dishes bursting with flavor and adapted to your specific taste buds.

As you chop, mince and stir, you'll learn all about northern Thai cuisine, and its history — including the importance of the Akha hill tribe in shaping the recipes you know and love.

Choose between the country's most beloved curries, simmer an aromatic soup and fry up a classic pad thai all under expert supervision in this food experience in Chiang Mai.

Once your stomach is lined with savory flavors, switch it up by preparing Thailand's most famous sweet treat — mango sticky rice.

Some cooking classes in Chiang Mai escort you to a local market where you can discover regional produce you may have never laid eyes on before.

You'll wander through a myriad of fascinating stalls, selling common fruits, such as juicy mangoes, as well as unusual delicacies, including durian.

There are many different culinary lessons to participate in, whether you want to stay home and tune in virtually or have the one-on-one attention of your guide in a private class.

The best part about these experiences is that you'll gain the knowledge needed to recreate your masterpiece and impress your loved ones back home.

Food tours

Wherever you turn in Chiang Mai, you'll find eateries and street food stalls cooking up a storm. As you roam the city streets, your interests will be piqued by the mix of aromas that blend perfectly in the air and make your stomach rumble.

In fact, there are so many options that it can be tricky to decide where to eat. Take the difficulties out of choosing your next meal by opting to join a food tour in Chiang Mai.

You'll be guided through the bustling city streets by a local, passing by the ancient temples and intriguing monuments that Chiang Mai is renowned for. As you travel through the city, you'll stop to try many dishes.

You'll sample Thai classics, such as mango sticky rice, as well as regional favorites. These include perfectly-seasoned curried noodle soup and tapioca dumplings.

Following your guide, you'll learn which spots the locals frequent, which will serve you well for the remainder of your trip.

Scout out street food markets where Chiang Mai residents stir fry dishes to perfection in front of your eyes. Savor the flavors and textures as you scoop crunchy vegetables, and succulent meats into your mouth.

If wandering around the city on foot doesn't appeal to you, hop on the back of a songthaew — Thailand's most popular mode of shared transport — and speed toward your next food outlet.

Dinners

There is a multitude of dining experiences that you can partake in on your trip to Chiang Mai that will give you an insight into local cuisine.

One of the most authentic options is to head to a local's home and form lasting connections as you share a meal together. You'll join your host in the kitchen to prepare your feast and bond as you learn the secrets of northern Thai cooking.

Another popular experience is a traditional Khantoke dinner, which encourages guests to eat seated on the floor, as locals often do. As you dine on classic Thai cuisine, you'll be awed by a host of local dancers in colorful outfits.

Watch these women as they move gracefully in time-honored dances that have been performed for over 100 years. For a more relaxing experience, hop aboard a boat and feast as you cruise your way lazily down the Ping River.

If you're pressed for time, consider choosing a tour that combines sightseeing with eating. You'll discover the Buddhist roots of the city at one of its many magnificent temples, where you'll witness monks chanting in devoted prayer.

You'll also explore a night market — one of the most famed attractions of Thailand — before tucking into a freshly-prepared dinner.

Chocolate tastings

Those with a sweet tooth shouldn't miss participating in a chocolate tasting while in Chiang Mai city.

While the region may be known for its spicy curries more than its sweets, the city is home to a chocolate factory that produces an array of mouthwatering flavors.

Learn about the process of chocolate-making from professionals, from its original ingredients, such as milk and cocoa butter to the perfectly uniform creamy bars that are the end result.

Instead of simply witnessing the artisans at work, you'll join them to create several chocolate bars yourself. Choose from a variety of flavors to add to your chocolate, such as nuts, seeds and fruit.

This is one of the most unique food experiences in Chiang Mai, which the whole family can enjoy.

Once you've made your own delectable treat, you'll relax as you enjoy a fondue experience, dipping fruits and biscuits into an unending stream of decadent chocolate.

While this factory has only been operating since 2017, it has taken the city by storm and is one of the best places to learn the craft of chocolate-making in Thailand.