Online Siamese Culinary Masterclasses for Professional Chefs and Thai food enthusiasts

In my masterclasses, for the first time in the English language, I reveal the culinary secrets hidden in old and hard-to-find Siamese cookbooks and recipes dating from the late 19th century to modern days.

Get unlimited access to Thaifoodmaster’s constantly growing library of prime professional masterclasses, articles, recipes and videos on Siamese culinary topics, available nowhere else in English.

Online membership:
Masterclasses, Articles, Recipes, Daily Heritage Translations.
Professional Guides: Siamese Chili Relishes (น้ำพริก และ เครื่องจิ้ม), Thai Curries (แกงไทย), Thai Salads (เรื่องยำๆ) and The art of Siamese old-school menu design (สํารับอาหารไทย).

In-person workshops:
Chiang Mai, 2026. Limited spaces.

Masterclasses

Practical and kitchen-tested recipes with a mix of theory, history, psychology, and Siamese culture tidbits.

Aromatic Primer for Thai Cuisine - Part 1

Curry Paste Permeability

Minced-Bird Style Curries - A Peek Into Traditional Ingredients and Cooking Methods (แกงสับนก; Gaaeng Sap Nohk)

Reflections on the Lifecycle of Heat: Mastering Vibrancy and Maturity in Green Curry (แกงเขียวหวาน)

Patterns – Decoding the Complexity of Siamese Curry Paste: A Multidimensional Exploration

Aromatic Alchemy - The Art and Science of Pounded Curry Pastes

The Story of Gaaeng Buaan (แกงบวน) – The Oldest Siamese Dish?

The Secret Healing Powers of Siamese Curries – A Closer Look at Gaaeng Yaa (แกงยา)

The Art of Siamese Duck Curries - Theory and Practice (แกงเป็ด - ศิลปะ ทฤษฎี และ การปฏิบัติ)

Articles and Recipes

Phra Suli - Three-Flavor Seasoned Rice with Shrimp, Firm Pork Fat and Pork Skin (ข้าวพระศุลี; Khaao Phra Soolee)

Mrs. Paan Nanthaathiwat (คุณปาน นันทาถิวัฒน์) (1893-1955) was known for her kitchen skills. She often cooked for friends and family, spending time in the kitchen with her best friend, Mrs. Yim Pichaiyat Bunnag (คุณยิ้ม พิชัยญาติ บุนนาค (1892-1976). Thus, it was not a surprise when in 1953 she authored a recipe book as part of her merit offering on her 60th birthday. Sadly, Mrs. Paan passed away a year later and the publication, titled Hoong Khaao Dtohm Gaaeng (หุ้งข้าวต้มแกง), was later printed as a memorial book for her funeral. In 1977, the volume was reprinted for the funeral of her best friend, Mrs. Yim. It is unclear why Mrs. Paan named this citrusy, sour, and salty seasoned rice dish after Lord Shiva, calling it “Phra Suli (พระศุลี ; phra soolee)”. Yet I believe the name of the dish is meant to evoke the elegance and delicacy of the deity rather than to reference cultural authenticity or tradition.

Shrimp Paste Fried Rice (ข้าวผัดกะปิ; khaao phat ga bpi)

Khao phat kapi — black fermented shrimp paste tossed raw through cooked rice, with crisp grilled catfish. From Lady Gleep Mahithaawn, 1949.

Sweet Rice (ข้าวหวาน; khaao waan)

Khaao waan, a saffron-infused rice dessert with dried fruits and aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. From Ibrahim Haji Roshidin Tuan's 'The Muslim Cook', 1938.

Northern Thai-style laap of chicken (ลาบไก่เมือง ; laap gai muang)

In the village environment, free-range chicken laap is made from a whole bird butchered and cooked on the spot. All the parts of the chicken are used, with nothing wasted or discarded. First, the meat is minced. Gradually, the still-warm chicken blood is added until the meat is saturated and becomes gooey and moist.

Heritage 14: Issue Thursday, April 9, 2026

This week's folios: - แกงปลาเทโพหรือปลาสวายกับใบแมงลัก — Curry of Black Ear Catfish or Iridescent Shark with Lemon Basil (Mrs. Paan Nanthaaphiwat, 1953) - แกงไก่เจ๊ก — Chinese-Style Chicken Soup (Mrs. Paan Nanthaaphiwat, 1953) - พริกขิงภุกาม — phrik Khing Phukam (Jeeb Bunnag, 1933) - ขนมปังหน้ากุ้ง — Shrimp-Topped Bread Canapes (Jeeb Bunnag, 1933) - เนื้อทิพย์ — Heavenly Beef (Jeeb Bunnag, 1933) - ดุลด๊ะ — Dulda, a Raita-Style Yogurt Salad (Hibrahim Haji Rocheedee Bin Dtwan, 1933) - ชมพู่สาแหรกต้มครีม — Malay Rose Apple in Glass Syrup and Cream (Jeeb Bunnag, 1933)

Steamed Gelatinous Rice with Beef Topping (ข้าวเหนียวนึ่งหน้าเนื้อ; khaao niaao neung naa neuua)

Steamed Sticky Rice with Beef Topping features pandan-infused rice crowned with coconut-fried salted beef floss. From Jeeb Bunnak's 1945 Thai cookbook.

Heritage 23: Issue Tuesday, August 4, 2026

This week's folios: - แกงจืดลูกชิ้นกุ้งกับผักกาดปลี — Mild soup with prawn balls and Chinese cabbage (Jeeb Bunnag, 1933) - ข้าวแขก — Indian-Style Rice - Layered Jasmine Rice and Coconut Milk pudding with Crispy Shallots (Jeeb Bunnag, 1933) - งบปลาอุย — Grilled Catfish Parcels (Jeeb Bunnag, 1933) - ผัดพริกขิงเนื้ออ่อน — Stir-fried Sheatfish with Phrik Khing Paste (Jeeb Bunnag, 1933) - ข้าวตังปิ้งปรุง — Grilled Seasoned Rice Crust (Jeeb Bunnag, 1933) - ลอยแก้วสาวสวรรค์ — Heavenly Maidens Floating in Crystal Syrup (Jeeb Bunnag, 1933)

Crab and Spring Onion Coconut-Based Curry (แกงคั่วปูกับต้นหอม; Gaaeng Khuaa Bpuu Gap Dtohn Haawm)

Preparing a crab curry is an exercise in culinary diplomacy, wherein the challenge lies in negotiating the distinct flavors of land and sea into a cohesive understanding and capturing the perfect balance. This golden gastronomic horizon is where the delicate whispers of the ocean meet earth’s bold declarations – and at its core is a straightforward question: How do we craft a curry that testifies, via crab, to the ocean’s bounty, yet remains grounded in the earth’s aromatic flora, with roots like galangal and turmeric? In addition, it is challenging to create a curry that is luxuriously creamy, yet light and not too greasy; where the crab’s delicate natural sweetness surfaces as a pleasant sea breeze, levitating above the pitfalls of being too fishy or overly sweetened. Another hurdle is achieving the precise color – produced by red chilies, golden turmeric and peppercorns – that reflects the culinary traditions of southern seashore fishing communities. I like mine set to about a 70:30 ratio of yellow to red and, if using black peppercorns, with a deep brown undertone.

Pumpkin Simmered in Coconut Milk with Pounded Dried Shrimp and Shrimp Scored to Lie Straight (แกงต้มกะทิฟักเหลือง; gaaeng dtohm ga thi fak leuuang)

Pumpkin and shrimp in coconut milk, seasoned with pounded dried shrimp and white pepper, the shrimp scored to stay straight. From Jeeb Bunnag, 1933.

Spicy Curry with Beef-Stuffed Earthstar or Lactarius Mushrooms (แกงเผ็ดเห็ดเผาะหรือเห็ดยาง; gaaeng phet het phaw reuu het yaang)

Gaaeng phet het phaw, foraged earthstar or Lactarius mushrooms stuffed with minced beef in spiced coconut cream. Jeeb Bunnag, 1933.

Celestial Fish Salad (ยำมัจฉาสวรรค์; yam mat chaa sawan)

Celestial Fish Salad features acid-cured fish marinated in lime juice until firm, combined with lemongrass, basil, and toasted coconut. From Maawm Ying Soophaa's 1949 royal cuisine manuscript.

Fresh Shrimp Curry Soup (แกงต้มกุ้งปรุงสด; gaaeng dtohm goong bproong soht)

FShrimp Tom Bproong Soht Curry Soup (แกงต้มกุ้งปรุงสด; gaaeng dtohm goong bproong soht)

Gaaeng dtohm goong bproong soht: grilled shrimp with green mango and pickled garlic, seasoned at the bowl. Jeeb Bunnag, 1933.

ข้าวเม่าหมี่ - ข้าวเม่าทรงเครื่อง - ขนมข้าวเม่าราง

ตำรับ "ข้าวเม่าหมี่" หรือ "ข้าวเม่าทรงเครื่อง" หรือ "ขนมข้าวเม่าราง" นี้เป็นตำรับแต่ดั้งเดิม ปัจจุบันส่วนใหญ่จะไม่ใช้น้ำปลา ใช้เกลือป่น และ เห็นที่ทำขาย เขาใส่ถั่วลิสงคั่วด้วย บ้างก็ไม่ผัด ใช้วิธีทอดเครื่องแล้วค่อยมาคลุกเคล้าให้เข้ากัน เวลาใส่ภาชนะแล้ว เม็ดน้ำตาลและเกลือจะร่วงไปกองที่ด้านล่าง ทำให้เสียรสชาติ อีกทั้งยัง ผิดขนบของการทำข้าวเม่าหมี่ ใครทำตามตำรับนี้ได้ รับรองรสชาติ ไม่เป็นสองรองใคร และเม็ดน้ำตาล ก็ไม่ค่อยร่วงลงกองอยู่ด้านล่าง ลองทำพิสูจน์ดูได้เลย !!!

แกงต้มกะทิเนื้อโคเค็ม อย่าง จีบ บุนนาค (พ.ศ. ๒๔๘๔)

ภูมิปัญญาไทยโบราณท่านมีความอัจฉริยะล้ำเลิศ คิดปรุงตำรับอาหารที่ได้ผลออกมาอย่างลงตัว ดังที่กล่าวมาในบทก่อนหน้า วิถีไทยอาศัยการถนอมอาหารด้วยการทำเค็มหรือตากแห้ง และเมื่อจะนำมารับประทาน ความรุ่มรวยทางวัฒนธรรมการกิน บวกกับความมีศิลปะแห่งการปรุง คนสมัยก่อนสามารถรังสรรค์ของใกล้ตัว ให้ออกมาเป็นตำรับที่วิเศษได้โดยง่าย ง่ายด้วยกรรมวิธี ง่ายด้วยวัตถุดิบเครื่องปรุง ให้เป็นของอร่อยแบบไทยแท้ หนึ่งในตำรับนั้นคือ "ต้มกะทิเนื้อโคเค็ม"....

ต้มยำกุ้ง

Tom Yam is a type of soup with distinct sharp hot and sour flavors, scented with pleasant citrusy aroma. Tom Yam is known to seduce many westerners to fall in love with Thailand, its people and food. Many trips memories to Thailand were written in diaries, others are etched on film but all are stained by the Tom Yam charm. I still remember with vivid colors my first bowl of Tom Yam, in the night market of the old neighborhood on a hot night in a ragged, unfashionable part of Bangkok. Where the smell of cooking and the glare of florescent lights decorated the alley where JeMoi used to own a restaurant, a very simple and very good one, decorated with cheap bamboo chairs and peeling orange walls. I would enjoy watching the streets of the early night turning into mornings, eating, drinking and sweating. It was hard to say if I was sweating from the hot and humid weather, the cheap whiskey or JeMoi’s spicy food. I still smile when I think of her, standing by my table with a winning smile, as if she knew how much I enjoy the food.

Siamese Culinary Legends of the Rattanakosin period

Siamese cuisine is the accumulated wisdom of cooks at every level of the society – from housewives cooking at home and caring for their families, to cooks in the temple, to the culinary masters who created elaborate dishes behind the palace walls.

In this series of short articles highlighting their lives and work, we salute and pay homage to the most prominent individuals who influenced and shaped the Siamese culinary arts bpaa ga sin (ปากะศิลป์) of the Rattanakosin Era.

These background descriptions will put into perspective the dishes we present and cook here on Thaifoodmaster and will also help you to cook Thai dishes that taste like they have a solid bond to the culture, the land and its people.

The Spice Vault

Here you will find recipes for popular spice mixes that you can make yourself! Homemade spice blends not only taste better and cost less, but you’ll also be able to create unique spice blends based on your personal preferences. As a bonus, you’ll use spices with no preservatives or artificial colors!

For example, members can explore recipes for Chinese five-spice mix, masalas for khao soi and hang lay curries, homemade Thai curry powder, and a variety of the spice blends used in Northern and Muslim Thai cuisines.

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Practical and kitchen-tested recipes with a mix of theory, history, psychology, and Siamese culture tidbits.

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It is truly brilliant with a revolutionary approach introducing aspects and concepts never broached by cookbooks.

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Sourcing Wines for Discerning Private Clients