From Soil to Soul: A Day at Thai Farm Cooking School in Chiang Mai

Introduction

Just outside Chiang Mai’s city center, the fields open wide and the air grows quieter.

At Thai Farm Cooking School, the journey of food begins long before it reaches the table.

The day starts with a stop at a local market, filled with the aroma of herbs, coconut milk, and sizzling sausages known as Sai Ua.

From there, we head to the countryside to cook, learn, and connect with the roots of Thai cuisine.

This post follows that experience, from soil to soul, discovering how food tastes different when you make it with your own hands.

Experience

• Morning visit to a local market with our instructor
• Tasting Chiang Mai’s famous Sai Ua sausage with fellow traveler Yasmine
• Learning about local herbs and vegetables in the farm’s garden
• Cooking two signature Thai dishes: Red Curry and Basil Stir-Fry
• Sharing the meal together under the open sky

How the Day Unfolded

The morning began with a lively walk through a local market, where our instructor explained each ingredient such as galangal, lemongrass, and Thai basil.

That’s where I met Yasmine from Lebanon, who was traveling solo from Dubai. We laughed over how spicy the Sai Ua was, and apparently, it was the “mild” version.

Later, at the farm, the sounds changed.

Only the wind, insects, and the soft voices of our group filled the air as we learned about the herbs growing under the sun.

This is where Thai cuisine begins, under the sun, with bare hands.

In the open-air kitchen, we cooked Red Curry and Stir-Fried Basil, two dishes that represent the essence of Thai flavor.

The curry simmered in small pans, fragrant and colorful, while the stir-fry came together in seconds with the sound of a hot wok.

Both were simple yet deeply satisfying, food that tasted alive.

It was my first time cooking and eating Thai food right where it’s made.

Buying and eating can be easy, but making it yourself feels more rewarding.

And cooking together, not alone, reminded me how food connects people beyond words.

Tips for Visiting Thai Farm Cooking School

• Book in advance as classes often fill up during the high season
• Bring comfortable clothes since it can get warm while cooking
• You don’t need experience, the instructors are friendly and patient
• Take time to smell and touch the herbs in the garden because that’s where the learning begins
• Enjoy your meal slowly, after all, you made it yourself

Watch the Full Experience on YouTube

Watch the full story from local market to countryside cooking on my channel Home & Away Eats:

If you’ve ever joined a cooking class while traveling or dream of doing so, share your thoughts in the comments.

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