Chef Sophos Cooking Class

The Most Authentic Khmer Cooking Class in Siem Reap

“Not only did we learn to cook great Cambodian food, we had an authentic local experience and saw the real Siem Reap at Sophos’ house!”

The Cooking Class Experience

A home cooking class like this feels less like a lesson and more like stepping into everyday Cambodian life - where food begins long before it reaches the kitchen.

More than just a cooking lesson, Sophos Cooking Class is an authentic cultural experience hosted at Chef Sophos’ family home in Siem Reap. Guests are welcomed like friends and guided through the preparation of traditional Khmer dishes using fresh local ingredients, while learning about Cambodian food, family traditions, and everyday village life.

With his professional culinary background and warm, personal approach, Chef Sophos creates a relaxed and memorable experience that combines authentic Cambodian cuisine with genuine local hospitality.

Chef Sophos portrait

$35 per Person

  • Includes tuk tuk to and from your hotel
  • Includes Community market & farm tour, lunch or dinner, fresh coconut, cool towel

Or…

$30 per Person

  • Cooking class without farm and village tour

$45 per Person

  • Cooking class with farm and village tour
  • add a monk blessing

Itinerary

Morning and Afternoon Private Cooking Classes are available.

Below itineraries include market and village tour package

 Private with minimum of 2 pax’s

 

8:30 am- 9:00 am: Visit to the countryside market

Upon arrival, you will receive a warm welcome by Chef. Sophos, followed by a brief introduction and discussion regarding

any dietary requirements or food restrictions. The experience begins with a guided visit to a local countryside market,

where Chef Sophos will introduce you to a variety of Cambodian ingredients including red meats, white meats, fresh

fish, smoked fish, fermented fish, seasonal vegetables, aromatic herbs, spices, fresh coconut, and many other essential

elements of Khmer cuisine.

 

9:00 am- 9:15 am: Arrival at Sophos family House & Coconut break

Enjoy a fresh coconut while introducing about Sophos family, experiences, aiming for the community eco-tourism.

 

9:15 am- 9:45 am: Discovery walking in the village

Walking a stroll through the village to see how locals live and farm.

 

9:45 am- 10:30 am: Practical Cooking Session

Throughout the class, you will discover the art of traditional Cambodian cooking while learning practical kitchen skills such

as proper knife techniques, vegetable preparation, and decorative food presentation. Each participant will enjoy their

own fully equipped cooking station and personally prepare their selected dishes for dinner.

10:30 am- 10:45 am: Practical Set Up Food and Decoration

Learn from our local chef as you prepare authentic Cambodian dishes step-by-step.

 

10:45 am – 12:30 pm: Enjoy your lunch

Set up savor the dishes you’ve prepared in our cozy, family-style setting.

 

l:00 pm: Return to your hotel

3:30 pm- 4:00 pm: Visit to the countryside market.

Upon arrival, you will receive a warm welcome by Chef. Sophos, followed by a brief introduction and discussion regarding

any dietary requirements or food restrictions. The experience begins with a guided visit to a local countryside market,

where Chef Sophos will introduce you to a variety of Cambodian ingredients including red meats, white meats, fresh

fish, smoked fish, fermented fish, seasonal vegetables, aromatic herbs, spices, fresh coconut, and many other essential

elements of Khmer cuisine.

 

4:00 pm- 4:15 pm: Arrival at Sophos family House & Coconut break

Enjoy a fresh coconut while introducing about Sophos family, experiences, aiming for the community eco-tourism.

 

4:15 pm- 4:45 pm: Discovery walking in the village

Enjoy a stroll through the village to see how locals live and farm.

 

4:45 pm- 5:30 pm: Practical Cooking Session

Throughout the class, you will discover the art of traditional Cambodian cooking while learning practical kitchen skills such

as proper knife techniques, vegetable preparation, and decorative food presentation. Each participant will enjoy their

own fully equipped cooking station and personally prepare their selected dishes for dinner.

 

5:30 pm- 5:45 pm: Practical Set Up Food and Decoration

Learn from our local chef as you prepare authentic Cambodian dishes step-by-step.

 

5:45 pm – 6:30 pm: Enjoy your Dinner

Set up savor the dishes you’ve prepared in our cozy, family-style setting.

 

7:00 pm: Return to your hotel with the included tuk tuk return journey

1

Source ingredients from a local market

The experience starts at a local countryside market, where participants explore stalls filled with just-picked herbs, seasonal vegetables, fresh fish, and fragrant spices. You might see ingredients essential to dishes like Green mango salad or Fish Amok – green mangoes, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and freshly caught fish. Vendors share stories, and you learn how to choose the best produce by smell, color, and texture.

2

Visit and source ingredients from a farm

The journey continues to a nearby village farm. Here, you connect directly with the source of your ingredients—picking herbs from the garden, harvesting bananas, or observing how coconut and palm sugar are traditionally prepared. This “farm-to-table” approach gives a deeper appreciation for the freshness and care behind every dish.

3.

Prepare in the home kitchen

Back in the home kitchen in an authentic Cambodian village, the class becomes hands-on. Guided step by step, you prepare each dish using traditional techniques – pounding spices into curry paste, wrapping ingredients in banana leaves, and balancing the four key flavors: sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. There’s no rush; it’s about understanding the process and enjoying it.

guests enjoying a cooking class

4

Enjoy your Khmer Cuisine!

Finally, everyone gathers to share the meal they’ve created – from appetizer to dessert, perhaps ending with something like Caramelized banana. Sitting together, often on woven mats or around a simple table, completes the experience: fresh ingredients, traditional cooking, and the warmth of Cambodian hospitality all in one place.

5

Return back to your hotel by tuk tuk

Tuk Tuk Return to your hotel is included.

Inclusions

$30 per Person

  • Tuk Tuk Ride to cooking class and return back to your hotel
  • Lunch or dinner
  • fresh coconut
  • cold towels

$35 per Person

All of the above plus:

  • Village market tour
  • Village farm tour

$45 per Person

All of the above plus:

  • Monk blessing

Exclusions

  • Alcoholic drinks
  • personal expenses

Book your cooking class here

  • Fill out the form
  • We’ll confirm your booking promptly
  • You can pay in cash on the day of the class or pay by card

All classes include tuk tuk transport to and from your hotel.

Cooking Class

$30 per Person

  • Cooking Class only, no farm or village tour

+ Farm & Village Tour

$35 per Person

  • Includes Community market & farm tour, lunch or dinner, fresh coconut, cool towel

See more abou the market and farm tour

+ Monk Blessing

$45 per Person

  • Includes Community market & farm tour, lunch or dinner, fresh coconut, cool towel
  • Includes monk blessing

Siem Reap Cooking Class FAQs

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Yes, most dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice, including vegetarian options and certain allergies. It’s best to mention any requirements when booking.

Yes, transportation by tuk tuk is included. You will be picked up from your hotel and returned after the class, making the experience easy and stress-free.

In a typical Siem Reap cooking class, you will learn to prepare traditional Cambodian dishes such as Fish Amok, Khmer curry, fresh spring rolls, and local desserts. At Chef Sophos Cooking Class, guests prepare multiple dishes from scratch using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Yes, the class is designed for all skill levels, including complete beginners. The chef guides you step-by-step, making it easy to follow along while still learning real cooking techniques used in Cambodian kitchens.

No prior experience is needed. The class is structured to be relaxed, enjoyable, and easy to follow, whether you have never cooked before or already enjoy cooking at home.

Our cooking classes in Siem Reap include ingredients, cooking equipment, cold towels, fresh coconut, a tuk tuk ride to and from your hotel, and the meal you prepare.

This experience also optionally includes a visit to a local market or farm, transportation by tuk tuk, and guidance from a professional Khmer chef.

Most cooking classes in Siem Reap include ingredients, cooking equipment, and the meal you prepare. This experience also includes a visit to a local market or farm, transportation by tuk tuk, and guidance from a professional Khmer chef.

Cooking classes in Siem Reap typically last between 3 to 5 hours. This experience is longer, offering a full half-day journey that includes sourcing ingredients, cooking, and enjoying your meal.

Yes, one of the highlights of this experience is visiting a local market to learn about Cambodian ingredients. This gives you a deeper understanding of Khmer cuisine before you begin cooking.

No, the class takes place in a local village outside the main tourist areas of Siem Reap. This allows you to experience authentic Cambodian life while still being guided by an experienced chef.

A good cooking class in Siem Reap should offer more than just recipes. The best experiences include a visit to a local market, hands-on cooking with a professional Khmer chef, and the chance to learn about Cambodian culture. Chef Sophos Cooking Class combines all of these, offering an authentic experience in a real village setting.

This experience is typically a small group class, allowing for a more personal and interactive experience. Private classes may also be available on request.

Choosing a local cooking class gives you a deeper cultural experience. You not only learn how to cook Cambodian food, but also understand the ingredients, traditions, and daily life behind the cuisine.

Ready to experience one of the most authentic cooking classes in Siem Reap? Book your class today.