Don't Miss Thai Desserts
Thai foods are famous worldwide. I believe that most of you already tried some of our popular dishes like Tom Yum Goong, Som Tam, Pad Thai, and Pad Krapow. However, Thai desserts seem to be underrated, which I don’t understand why.
Because we have many ecstatic Thai desserts that are not only just yummy but also uniquely beautiful, these sweet treats should be our pride to present to nationwide as much as Thai foods.
Therefore, I will try to introduce Thai desserts more to everyone. But there are so many Thai desserts that make it impossible to review all in a single post. So, I will start with my favorite ones lol, but also popular and incredibly delicious.
This post is the first series of Thai Desserts Must Try. Let’s start!
Top Tempting Thai Desserts
1. Tub Tim Krob (Crispy Ruby)
Tub Tim Krob [ทับทิมกรอบ]
The meaning of Tub Tim Krob is Crispy Ruby. It is made of water chestnut and on top with syrup and cold coconut milk. You likely see it in red (or pink). That why we named it Crispy Ruby, but some restaurants/dessert stalls might have pretty colorful ones such as green, yellow, purple, or blue.
If I want to have some sweet treats after the main dishes, Tub Tim Krob is always my first choice but not every restaurant has this menu. Or even if they have it, it might not be as delicious as it should be because of the coconut milk. Tub Tim Krob should be served with fresh daily coconut milk, NOT a canned one. This makes a huge difference in taste.
There are two ways to know which restaurants using fresh coconut milk or canned. The first way is to simply ask them what kind of coconut milk they use, fresh or canned. The second is to try it by yourself but you might need some experience to distinguish the taste.
Main Ingredients: water chestnut, tapioca flour, coconut milk
Where to find: some restaurants, mall food booths, local markets
2. Khao Niaow Ma Muang (Mango Sticky Rice)
Khao Niaow Ma Muang [ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง]
I worked in an international company years ago, my big boss came to Thailand several times a year. Every time he will ask us to take him to his favorite restaurant, Sompong Seafood Restaurant (on Srinagarindra road), for lunch. However, not the seafood that he wants, he actually aims for Mango Sticky Rice…hahaha. I totally get that because this restaurant has the best Mango Sticky Rice that I ever have in my life, and now I’m missing it while writing this content…
The sticky rice must be soft, fluffy and moist but not too sticky, serves with ripe yellow sweet mango. For me, I prefer sweet and sour mango. Then, pour the salty coconut sauce over the rice and mango. Some may put crunchy fried mung beans on the very top of it.
Main Ingredients: ripe mango, sticky rice, coconut milk
Where to find: many restaurants, supermarkets, mall food booths, local markets
3. Kanom Tuay (Steamed Coconut Milk Pudding)
Kanom Tuay [ขนมถ้วย]
If you have a chance to try Boat Noodle, there is a 95% chance that the restaurants will put Kanom Tuay on all tables awaiting you to taste it. It comes in a pair of small cups, which means you must eat at least 2 cups (good strategy). This dessert consists of two layers – a sweet base like a custard texture that mostly has pandan flavor and a little salty creamy topping.
Main Ingredients: rice flour, coconut milk, palm sugar
Where to find: boat noodle restaurants, mall food booths, local markets
4. Foi Thong (Golden Egg Yolk Thread)
Foi Thong [ฝอยทอง]
Foi means thread, and Thong means gold. Thai people love the word Thong (gold), so Foi Thong becomes one of nine auspicious Thai desserts. It is served on special occasions like Thai wedding ceremony to implied the “Endless Love.” Or being served in housewarming party for the meaning of long-living.
This eye-catching dessert is the sweetest on my favorite list so far but not the sweetest among Thai desserts. Typically, you will see it with Thong Yip, Thong Yod and Med Kanoon, which have the same bright orange color, and they are all auspicious desserts.
If you’re curious, what is the sweetest Thai dessert? My answer is Thong Yod, and I’m sure that most Thai people think the same. Because it’s too sweet, I don’t put Thong Yod on the list, but you can try it.
Main Ingredients: egg yolks, sugar
Where to find: mall food booths, supermarkets, local markets
5. Bua Loy (Rice Balls in Warm Coconut Milk)
Credit: GiL’s
Credit: GiL’s
Bua Loy [บัวลอย]
There are many Thai desserts that people may like or dislike, but I never see friends and family dislike Bua Loy. It’s that popular. Many people also like to eat it with sweet poached eggs, we called Bua Loy Kai Wan.
If you come to Thailand and have a chance to see how it is cooked (usually it’s fresh cooking at local markets or street carts). You will find it pretty satisfying by watching the little pastel-colored rice balls pop up to the surface after tossing into the boiled water.
Main Ingredients: glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, palm sugar, coloring such as sweet potato, pumpkin, taro, and pandan
Where to find: some restaurants, mall food booths, local markets, street carts
This’s all for Thai Desserts Review Part 1. And there is another review about Local Best Thai Food that value to money, how to order with a lot of pictures and English & Thai descriptions.