Khao Cooking School: Keeps it realest

Amid a phalanx of flashy corporate peers, fresh entrant Khao ironically separates itself with a distinguishing novelty: authenticity. While the bulk of Bangkok's cooking schools offer little in the way of traditional Thai cuisine, Khao conducts hands-on lessons in an intimate, homey setting that emphasizes the tenets of native fare.

Despite the school’s location just steps from Khao San Road, students get authoritative instruction shielded from the din and disarray. Lessons are taught by Kobkaew Najphinit, an educator in Thai cooking for over 30 years and author of several Thai cookbooks, along with her daughter, Ning.

Courses at Khao run about four hours and students can choose dishes from a revolving cast of items or request specific dishes in advance. Just don't pick something newfangled.