Top cooking classes in Laos

Lao cuisine is famous for its traditional spices such as garlic, lemongrass, chili and kafir lime and the combination of them into delicacies to please eaters.

If you are a culinary fanatic, taking a cooking class at one of the famous classes in Luang Prabang, Vientiane or Pakse will definitely be an enjoyable experience. Here, you can learn from local chefs and bring home knowledge to prepare your favorite dishes.

Here are our suggestions for some cooking classes in Laos that you can join throughout your journey.

1. Tamarind Restaurant and Cooking School - Luang Prabang

Located in Nam Khan, Luang Prabang, Tamarind Restaurant is one of the class that is popular with tourists because of its interesting program and great point. Most of the longer day classes and shorter evening classes are taught in Tamarind Park, which has an idyllic setting by lily ponds.

Transportation to and from the class is included, so you will be picked up at your hotel then start the itinerary with a market trip to buy ingredients. The typical dishes taught in classrooms for visitors are lemongrass chicken, jeow cabbage, and mango sticky rice. If you are vegetarian, inform your guide in advance as a vegetable-friendly menu is available.

2. Bamboo Tree Restaurant and Cooking School - Luang Prabang

Another option for you in Luang Prabang is the class in the Bamboo Tree restaurant. Here, there will be 2 main chefs Noy and Linda, who will teach students how to cook the typical dishes of Northern Laos. The special thing is that you can choose what you want to do and then start the course by visiting the local market to buy the ingredients and talk to the merchants.

After cooking, you will enjoy your labor with the chef and other students as an intimate party. If you want, you can bring home a cookbook here to make your own, which is also a way to keep memories for this trip.

3. Nahm Dong Park Cooking Class - Luang Prabang

Nahm Dong Park is one of the unique cooking classes in Luang Prabang, where you can join a cooking class with many activities on site such as trekking, zipline, or bathing at the natural pool. This class will offer you the opportunity to explore traditional Lao dishes by choosing ingredients directly at the garden, learning recipes and cooking techniques.

As usual, there will be a minimum of 5 courses depending on the season. Students will be provided with a pamphlet with all the recipes. You can take a cooking class in the morning, then explore the park in the afternoon. Before going back to your hotel, let relax by splashing into one of the park's crystal-clear natural pools.

Lao cuisine

4. Cooking Class at Sofitel Hotel Luang Prabang

The Cooking School at Sofitel is run by the chef of an on-site restaurant. This course is informative, professional and ideal for those who love to cook. Group classes are limited to 10 participants or if the travelers want, the private classes are also available.

Regular classes will last for 4 hours, held twice a week and begin with breakfast at Governor Kitchen Grill at Sofitel. Students then go to the market to learn about local food customs. Prepare a four-course meal featuring traditional Lao dishes and learn about plating and presentation before enjoying a great meal in an outdoor restaurant.

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5. Bamboo Experience Cooking Class - Luang Prabang

Although the cooking class is only part of the morning activities, this is something you should not miss when traveling in Luang Prabang. This class is as special as its name that will help you learn about Lao culture and cuisine through bamboo.

You will hear from the tour guide about the importance of bamboo products to Laotians. There are many bamboo products they have used for many years such as: furniture, weapons, fishing, musical instruments, bags, carpets and roofing, etc.

You also have an opportunity to try making a small bamboo roller coaster and take home as a souvenir. The last part of the morning, of course is the cooking class, which makes it different from other cooking classes in Luang Prabang. You will probably be amazed by the main ingredients of the lesson are bamboo shoots and the dishes made from it. Some of the dishes include bamboo shoots stuffed with pork, fermented bamboo shoots, fish steamed with bamboo shoots wrapped in banana leaves and sticky rice and more.

6. Tuk Tuk Safari Tour and Cooking Class – Vientiane

Tuk Tuk Safari is a popular class in Vientiane which offers a variety of programs such as cooking classes, food tours to villages and handicraft sites, ...

This class is held in Soumaly's outdoor kitchen every Saturday. First, you will head to the fresh markets in Vientiane to see some of the ingredients in Laos being processed. After that, the tour guide will take the trainees to the shops to taste typical local dishes. If you want guidance on how to navigate the city, scary street food at night, then “Dinner with the Locals” will eliminate some mystery and have you’ll try some surprising items.

7. Madam Phasouk Cooking Class – Vientiane

If you love to cook and do some research before coming to Vientaine, you will probably know the cooking class organized by Madam Phasouk. She opens her own classroom and teachs at home thanks to more than 15 years of experience as a cooking teacher at the hotel.

Just like some regular classes, the schedule will start with a market tour to buy all the fresh ingredients and cook two main courses and salads. Time to start class in the morning is 09:30 and afternoon is 15:00.

9. Xuan Mai Cooking Class – Pakse

The Xuanmai Cooking Class is the only place in Pakse that you can find, but it’s still unique even compared to all other cooking classes in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. The owner really originated from Vietnam, so participating in the class, you learn to cook a dish of Laos, Vietnam, and even Thailand, all mixed together to create a different flavor.

So you have already known the best cooking classes in Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Pakse. Joining in a cooking class in Laos will be an unforgettale experience!

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