Blue Elephant Cooking School Bangkok: Market Tour, Class & Dining

Blue Elephant Cooking School Bangkok: Creating your own taste of Thailand

Few Thai cooking schools match the prestige and authenticity of the Blue Elephant Cooking School in Bangkok. Set in a beautiful century-old colonial mansion in Sathorn, it offers more than just classes—it’s a true experience of Thai cuisine. Founded by the famous Chef Nooror Somany Steppe, Blue Elephant is a world-renowned restaurant, top cooking school, and global seller of premium Thai products.

Whether you love food, enjoy Thai cuisine, or want a hands-on cultural experience in Bangkok, Blue Elephant Cooking School & Restaurant is a must. You’ll shop for ingredients at a local market, cook in a historic kitchen, and finish with a fine-dining lunch you made yourself. With Chef Nooror’s warm personality and skill, it’s clear why Blue Elephant is famous worldwide.

This is a masterclass in Thai flavors, culture, and hospitality. One visit isn’t enough—we’ve been twice and are planning a third. Next time, we might just relax and enjoy the restaurant downstairs!

Where in Bangkok is Blue Elephant Cooking School & Restaurant located?

The Blue Elephant Cooking School & Restaurant Bangkok is in Sathorn, in a beautiful colonial mansion next to the BTS Surasak skytrain station on the Silom Line. This central spot is easy to reach from most parts of Bangkok.

Architecture & Design

In Bangkok’s Sathorn district, the Blue Elephant is in a well-preserved three-story colonial mansion called the Thai Chine Building. Over a century old, it features classic colonial architecture with a yellow façade, arched windows, and detailed woodwork. Inside, antique wood panels, traditional Thai furniture, and old photos create a timeless atmosphere.

Ambiance & Atmosphere

The Blue Elephant’s ambiance blends elegance and tradition. Soft lighting, polished wooden floors, and Thai music create a calm, romantic, and refined setting—perfect for special occasions or intimate gatherings.

Hospitality & Service

Famous for great service, Blue Elephant’s staff are attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate about Thai food. Guests are warmly welcomed from the start, ensuring a memorable dining or cooking class experience. The instructors are patient and clear, making classes fun for beginners and experienced cooks alike.

About the Blue Elephant brand & Chef Nooror

Blue Elephant was founded in 1980 by Thai-Belgian Chef Nooror Somany Steppe and her husband. It began as one restaurant in Brussels and has grown into an international brand with high-end Thai restaurants, premium cooking products, and respected cooking schools in Bangkok, Phuket, and beyond.

Chef Nooror is a global ambassador for Thai cuisine. Her mission is to preserve and promote Thailand’s culinary heritage. She has cooked for world leaders, celebrities, and royalty but stays humble and passionate about sharing authentic Thai flavors.

Our Blue Elephant Bangkok experience in 2019

A Trip to Bang Rak Market

Before cooking, we went with our chef-instructor to Bang Rak Market, just one BTS stop from the school. It’s not the biggest or flashiest market in Bangkok, but a real local gem where chefs and food lovers find the freshest herbs, spices, fruits, and vegetables.

With a welcome drink and eager taste buds, we walked past colorful produce stalls, live seafood tanks, butchers, and spice vendors. Our chef explained Thai ingredients like galangal, holy basil, green peppercorns, and kaffir lime leaves. It was a rich sensory experience that deepened our love for Thai cooking. After gathering ingredients, we took the BTS back, inspired and ready to cook.

Cooking Class Setup & Demonstration

Back at Blue Elephant Cooking School, we went up the grand staircase to the bright, colonial-style classroom with traditional décor and modern touches. Each of us received a recipe folder, an apron, and warm smiles from the teaching team.

The class began with a clear, step-by-step demo by Chef Pao, a young and skilled chef who loves Thai food. He prepared four dishes we’d cook ourselves: crispy chicken triangles, spicy beef soup, green chicken curry, and classic prawn Pad Thai. As he cooked, he explained techniques, flavor balance, and ingredient options, letting us smell and taste along the way.

Watching Chef Pao was like a front-row seat to a Thai MasterChef—fun, inspiring, and very educational.

Hands-On Cooking Experience

After watching Chef Pao, it was time to cook ourselves. We moved to the bright practice kitchen with individual workstations, gas burners, prep counters, and all our ingredients ready.

We prepared each dish step by step, with one-on-one help from Chef Pao and his friendly assistants. If we had questions or needed help, someone was always nearby. The mix of independence and support was perfect—enough freedom to try things and enough guidance to avoid burning the curry!

We stirred, chopped, sizzled, and plated, excited to eat our own dishes. The process was fun, engaging, and smooth, thanks to the prep work done beforehand.

After each dish, we returned to the classroom to learn the next recipe from Chef Pao, then went back to cook it ourselves. Before long, we had made four beautiful Thai dishes—ready to serve restaurant-style downstairs.

Lunch at the Blue Elephant Restaurant

After taking off our aprons and cooling the burners, we enjoyed the fruits of our labor. We went down to the elegant Blue Elephant Restaurant, where our dishes were served like fine dining—beautifully plated and set on white-linen tables by the staff.

Seated in the grand dining room with rich Thai décor and historic charm, our table looked like a royal feast. We tasted each other’s dishes and proudly claimed ours as the best. (Friendly competition made it fun!)

Then came the surprise—Chef Nooror herself joined us at the table. She kindly asked about our experience and, to our delight, brought out some of her own specialties—a heavenly Massaman beef curry and a succulent duck dish over tender cabbage. Paired with a refreshing mocktail and a rich cocktail, this surprise made our lunch even more unforgettable.

We left the table full, happy, and with a deep appreciation for the complexity and beauty of Thai cuisine.

Our Blue Elephant Bangkok experience in 2024

Five years after our first Blue Elephant Cooking Class, we were excited to return—with a new chef, fresh menu, and a passionate group of food lovers. Our small group included honeymooners from the U.S., a Chinese Brit, and a lively woman eager to cook Thai food at home. Our shared love for Thai food made the experience warm and fun.

On the menu: stir-fried chicken with cashews, turmeric sea bass soup, lemongrass prawn salad, and rich red curry with beef and pumpkin. Time flew as we chopped, stirred, and learned new skills. At lunch, we proudly enjoyed our dishes—surprisingly delicious, even by Thai standards.

Next time, we’ll skip cooking and book a table at the Blue Elephant Restaurant downstairs. Let the pros do the cooking while we relax and enjoy every bite. To be continued…

Why should you a course at Blue Elephant Cooking School in Bangkok?

• Historic venue: Operating within a century-old colonial mansion adds a unique charm and authenticity to the experience.
• Comprehensive cooking classes: Offers hands-on classes that include market tours, ingredient selection, and cooking techniques.
• Renowned chef: Founded by Chef Nooror Somany Steppe, a celebrated figure in Thai cuisine.
• Global recognition: Part of an international chain with branches in cities like Paris and Copenhagen.
• Product line: Features a range of Thai cooking products available for purchase, allowing guests to recreate dishes at home

Some tips and recomenndations when taking this cooking class in Bangkok

• Advance booking: Classes and dining reservations can fill up quickly; it’s advisable to book at least a month in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.
• Market tour: Opt for the morning cooking class to experience the local market tour, which offers insights into Thai ingredients and shopping practices.
• Dietary preferences: Inform the staff of any dietary restrictions; the restaurant accommodates vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
• Don’t want to cook? Book a lunch or dinner at Blue Elephant Restaurant in the same building.

Blue Elephant Cooking School: General information

Starting times: Please arrive 15 minutes before start – Morning Class at 08:45 and Afternoon Class at 13:30
Address: BTS Surasak station, 41 S Sathon Rd, Yan Nawa, Sathon, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Webiste: Blue Elephant
Phone number: +66 (0)2 6739 353