Vegetarian Thai Restaurants with Cooking Schools in Bangkok

Let’s be honest, here in Bangkok dining out often makes more sense than cooking at home. We work long hours, have long commutes, and the convenience of being served, having a professional whip us up an inexpensive and tasty meal is often too tempting to resist.

However, some of the best Thai dishes are amazingly simple and quick to create at home. This week we feature two vegetarian restaurants that also offer customers the opportunity to learn how to recreate their most popular dishes in their own kitchens.

Especially for vegetarians, there are more reasons to take a Thai cooking class than just learning the alchemy of turning curry paste and vegetables into a delectable dish. At one class I recently attended, I asked my fellow students why they had enrolled in the class. “It gives me a chance to learn the Thai words for the most common ingredients in Thai dishes. I’m going to feel more confident when ordering now. I also get the chance to taste and try so many different things- all in one afternoon.” A German ex-pat living here explained, “Well, for one thing it’s great fun, a great way to spend the day and I’ve gotten to meet some really nice fellow vegetarians.”

Vegetarian cooking schools aren’t just for herbivores, either. One student, Mattias El Sueco, a self-described “moose eating Swede” explained that, “Thai food is Thai food, the basics are the same. It’s no problem to take a vegetarian cooking class, if I want to eat meat, I can just add it to the recipes I’m learning today.”

Another personal motivation for me to enroll in a cooking class is that every so often, I am invited for dinner at a friend’s house and am asked to bring a dish. The idea of having a “signature” dish that I can share with friends, something I created and can be enjoyed by all is quite appealing. What I bring says something about me and the fact that I prepared it with love, that it expresses my affection for Thailand and its food, and is a vegetarian dish that even omnivores can enjoy. This gives me a real sense of satisfaction.

While many cooking schools offer vegetarian classes upon request, this week’s column features two of the best schools offering regular vegetarian classes. At May Kaidees, students have the opportunity to learn Thai “country,” family-style recipes in a fun and casual atmosphere. Blue Elephant, on the other hand, gives students the chance to learn how to prepare some more refined dishes and “the best in Royal Thai cuisine” from formally educated chefs who teach menus that were historically eaten exclusively by Thai royalty.

Lucky me, I was able to experience classes at both schools. In next week’s column I will describe the unique experience I had at each of the two places as well as share some of the great information, tips, and recipes I learned.

May Kaidee’s and Blue Elephant certainly do not make for a definitive list of vegetarian restaurants with cooking schools in Bangkok and this is where you come in. We want to hear about your experiences and recommendations, as we here at ROB strive to be the place where Bangkok veggies, and those who love us, share, network and create community. Email us at julia@restaurantsofbangkok.com You can also join our facebook group at: Vegetarians Of Bangkok

May Kaidee’s

• Cooking Class Menu: 10 or more dishes, including-- soups, salads, stir fried vegetables, pad thai, sauces, curries, spring rolls, pumpkin hummus, and deserts.
• Price: 1200 THB/per person per class
• Class schedule: 9:00am and 2:00pm with classes offered daily.
• Teachers: May and her staff
• Restaurant: Over 70 menu items, all priced at 60THB or less

Location: 33 Samsen Rd., Opposite Samsen Soi 2—Banglampoo, Bangkok

Contact Information:

Telephone: 02-281-7699
In Chang Mai: 087-717-5275, 089-112-1162
Email: veginfo@maykaidee.com
Website: www.maykaidee.com

Blue Elephant

• Cooking Class Menu: 8 vegetarian dishes including: Kruang-Kaeng-Daeng, Krung-Kaeng-Keaw-Waan, Nam-Prik-Phao, Tom-Yam-Hed-Ruam, Phad-Prik, Phad-Prik-Pak, Phad-Thai and Yam-Som-O
• Price: 7,062 Baht++
• Class schedule: Classes upon request, students should book 1-2 days before
• Teachers: Several teachers who teach the vegetarian classes
• Restaurant: an extensive a la carte vegetarian menu

Location: 233 South Sathorn Rd., Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok (BTS Sty-train, Surasak Station)

Contact Information

Telephone: 02 673 9353-8
Email: cooking.school@blueelephant.com
Website: www.blueelephant.com