If you’re looking for one of the best things to do in Krabi that doesn’t involve a boat trip, beach towel, or another mango smoothie by the pool (although we fully support all three), then let us introduce you to one of our favourite experiences in Ao Nang… a Thai cooking class at Ya’s Thai Cookery School.

We’ve eaten our way around Thailand over the past few years, from tiny roadside food stalls in Bangkok to beachside seafood restaurants in Koh Samui, but actually learning how to cook it properly? That gave us a whole new appreciation for just how much technique goes into every single dish.

This ended up being one of the most fun, hands-on, memorable activities we did in Krabi, and Ms. Ya has previously taught none other than Gordon Ramsay how to cook Thai food, so you know you’re in very good hands.

Why We Booked a Thai Cooking Class in Krabi

We’d been travelling around Thailand for almost six months at this point, and most of our activities involved island hopping, boats and swimming, so we just wanted to do something a little different in Ao Nang. I actually LOVE to cook, and really wanted to learn more about Thai food, ingredients, techniques and take away some recipes that I could recreate at home.

I found Ya’s Thai Cookery School online and had seen the Gordon Ramsey episode previously. I liked the rustic, outdoor kitchen and the more varied menu that was available. Ya’s Cookery School also caters for different dietary preferences, which I really appreciate. Plus, the idea of finally learning how to make a proper Thai curry paste from scratch instead of opening a jar at home sounded very appealing.

What Is Included in Ya’s Thai Cooking Class?

One of the reasons this cooking class is so popular is because everything is incredibly easy from start to finish.

Your experience includes:

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off from Ao Nang
• A hands-on Thai cooking class with a local instructor
• All ingredients and equipment
• A recipe book to take home
• Drinking water
• Your own homemade Thai feast at the end

There are also vegetarian, vegan, spicy, and non-spicy options available, which makes it suitable for pretty much everyone.

For travellers staying outside Ao Nang, including Krabi Town, Klong Muang, and Tub Kaek, there’s a small additional transfer fee.

👉 BOOK YOUR TICKETS FOR YA’S THAI COOKERY SCHOOL HERE

What to expect at a Thai Cooking Class

The class starts with a quick introduction to the key ingredients used in Thai cooking. You’ll learn about fresh herbs, chillies, Thai basil, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, curry pastes, and all the ingredients that make Thai food taste so ridiculously good.

One of the highlights for us was making curry paste from scratch using a traditional mortar and pestle. It turns out authentic Thai curry paste requires quite a bit of aggression. By the end of it, we suddenly understood why homemade Thai curry tastes so much better than anything from a supermarket jar back home.

The atmosphere throughout the class is relaxed, friendly, and genuinely fun. Nobody takes themselves too seriously, and the instructors are brilliant at guiding everyone through the process, even complete beginners.

What Dishes Do You Make?

Depending on whether you book the morning, afternoon, or evening class, the menu changes slightly, but you’ll usually make around five dishes.

Some of the dishes available include:

• Pad Thai
• Green Curry
• Massaman Curry
• Panang Curry
• Yellow Curry
• Tom Yum Goong
• Tom Kha Kai
• Spring Rolls
• Papaya Salad
• Stir Fried Thai Basil
• Fried Cashew Nut Chicken
• Mango Sticky Rice
• Banana Fritters

We loved that the dishes weren’t watered down for tourists either. The flavours still tasted authentically Thai, and you can adjust spice levels depending on your tolerance (or bravery).

If you want to learn how to make a Thai Papaya Salad, check out my Recipes From Around The World page, where I share all the ingredients, swaps, hints and tips to create this tasty dish at home.

The Best Part? Eating Everything Afterwards

After all the chopping, frying, and curry-paste arm workout, you finally get to sit down and eat everything you’ve made.

And trust us when we say the portions are huge. We reached the point where we physically couldn’t finish everything, which thankfully wasn’t a problem because the team packed up the leftovers for us to take away.

Not a bad situation to be in when your takeaway consists of homemade Thai curry and fresh Pad Thai.

Is Ya’s Thai Cookery School Suitable for Beginners?

Absolutely. You do not need any cooking experience whatsoever to enjoy this class. The instructors guide you through every step in a really relaxed and easy-to-follow way.

This is one of the reasons we think Ya’s Thai Cookery School is one of the best cooking classes in Krabi for travellers. It never feels intimidating or overly technical. It’s just genuinely good fun.

Is Ya’s Thai Cooking Class Worth It?

Without question, yes. For around £30 per person, you get transport, multiple dishes, expert instruction, a full meal, a recipe book, and an incredible new experience. It’s fun, interactive, cultural, delicious, and a really nice break from the usual beach-and-boat-trip itinerary around Krabi.

More than anything though, it gives you a deeper appreciation for Thai food. After spending time making curry paste by hand, balancing flavours, and understanding how much effort goes into even simple dishes, you’ll never look at Thai food the same way again.

👉 BOOK YOUR THAI COOKING CLASS IN KRABI HERE

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If you’re visiting Ao Nang and looking for a fun foodie experience in Krabi, we honestly can’t recommend Ya’s Thai Cookery School enough.

It’s the perfect activity for couples, those travelling solo, for friends, or even as a family with older children. Plus, you get to eat a ridiculous amount of Thai food afterwards, which is always a win in our eyes.

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