Dive into a gustatory journey of exquisite Thai desserts across this country, where each bite is an invitation to discover a world of enchanting flavors. In this guide, we will explore the 15 must-try desserts that captivate the imagination of travelers throughout the kingdom of Siam – Thailand.
Thai desserts are often accompanied by various condiments, such as sugar, chili, various seeds, and salt. From sweet delights with exotic aromas to traditional creations passed down through generations, these desserts will awaken your taste buds and transport you to a true culinary paradise.
1. Mango Sticky Rice – Khao Niao Mamuang
Thailand is renowned for being the third largest producer of mangoes in the world. Consequently, mango sticky rice is one of the most famous Thai desserts you can find in all provinces and towns.
Mango Sticky Rice – Khao Niao Mamuang
Khao Niao Mamuang is prepared with fresh, ripe mangoes cut into slices and placed on a layer of warm, sticky rice. Then, sweetened coconut milk is poured over it, offering a sweet and creamy flavor that is easy to savor.
You should look for this dessert at local market stalls in Thailand. They often display crates of mangoes outside, allowing you to enjoy the freshest mangoes prepared right in front of you.
2. Durian Sticky Rice – Khao Niao Toorien
If you’re a fan of durian, a famous fruit in Southeast Asia known for its strong and distinctive aroma, then don’t miss out on this dessert. Khao Niao Toorien is prepared similarly to mango sticky rice, but with durian instead.
Durian Sticky Rice – Khao Niao Toorien
The durian flesh is separated, then simmered with coconut milk and sugar until it forms a creamy mixture. Then, the vendor will pour this sweet and fragrant mixture over a portion of white sticky rice, topped with slices of coconut and mung bean seeds.
Travelers often note that this durian sticky rice dessert has a richer and creamier flavor than mango sticky rice.
3. Sticky Rice in Bamboo – Khao Lam
As one of the best Thai desserts, Khao Lam is a specialty made from sticky rice that can easily be found in Nakhon Pathom and Bang Saen, about an hour’s drive from the center of Bangkok. Some traditional markets in Bangkok also offer this Thai dessert.
Sticky Rice in Bamboo – Khao Lam
Khao Lam is sticky rice cooked in bamboo, typically prepared with black beans and sesame seeds to add a sweet and distinctive flavor. To enjoy Khao Lam, you break the bamboo from top to bottom, then gently pull the bamboo strips downwards. After removing a few strips, you can take a piece of rice to savor.
4. Banana Sticky Rice – Khao Tom Mad
The Khao Tom Mad is made from sticky rice cooked in coconut milk, creating a sweet and creamy flavor combined with a filling of banana and black beans. This dish is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until fully cooked. This Thai dessert is often described as having a subtle sweet taste and a slightly sticky texture.
Banana Sticky Rice – Khao Tom Mad
According to tradition, the rice roll, banana, and coconut milk symbolize married life because couples traditionally connect two portions of Khao Tom Mad with a strip of bamboo. It is also a traditional dish often offered to monks during major religious ceremonies and Thai festivals. Khao Tom Mad can easily be found in the streets throughout Thailand.
5. Steamed Flour with Coconut Filling – Kanom Sod Sai
One of traditional Thai desserts, Kanom Sod Sai, is made from coconut and palm sugar, with a filling of steamed rice mixed with coconut milk. After preparation, it is wrapped in banana leaves in a triangle shape and steamed.
Steamed Flour with Coconut Filling – Kanom Sod Sai
This dessert is fluffy and slightly sticky. The outer layer is made of rice, lightly salted, contrasting with the sweetness of the grated coconut inside. The most common places to find Kanom Sod Sai are local markets or street carts.
6. Pandan Coconut Layered Cake – Khanom Chan
Famous for being one of the most beautifully presented Thai desserts, Khanom Chan, also known as Thai Jello, is a layered cake made from steamed rice flour, tapioca flour, taro, and coconut milk. It’s also a Thai dish that requires a lot of effort to prepare.
Pandan Coconut Layered Cake – Khanom Chan
The batter is divided into two halves with different flavors. One of them uses pandan leaf extract to create a distinctive green color with a seductive taste. A cake typically consists of 9 layers. Each layer is steamed individually, then stacked alternately to form the cake’s layers. You can easily find the Pandan Coconut Layered Cake in every villages and towns in Thailand for around 1 – 2 USD.
7. Coconut Ice Cream – Itim Kati
It’s a popular dish for cooling off from the scorching sun in Thailand. Coconut ice cream, called Itim Kati in Thai, is usually served in a coconut shell rather than in a cone or ordinary bowl.
Coconut Ice Cream – Itim Kati
This dessert is entirely made from coconut milk, combined with sugar and vanilla, creating a sweet and refreshing flavor enjoyed by locals and international tourists alike.
The ice cream is arranged in a coconut cut in half. Additionally, to make this ice cream even more appealing, vendors often add fresh coconut pieces, peanuts, jelly, sweet corn, or chocolate shavings. Lying on the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, enjoying Itim Kati dessert will definitely be a wonderful experience for you.
8. Thai Crepes – Khanom Buang
Thai crepes will captivate your attention at first sight. This unique dessert called Khanom Buang requires meticulous preparation.
Thai Crepes – Khanom Buang
The crepe is made from rice flour and mung beans. Then, a coconut cream is spread onto each small crepe. On top, there’s a crispy layer of crepe and coconut milk, with the option to choose a sweet or savory filling. The sweet filling includes grated coconut and strips of egg yolk. The savory filling includes grated coconut with finely chopped scallions and shredded shrimp.
It’s one of the delicious desserts in Thailand that attracts many tourists for its enticing and unusual flavor combination. While traveling in Thailand, you’ll find Thai crepe vendors on famous street corners or in night markets.
9. Coconut Pancakes – Khanom Krok
Khanom Krok is a type of grilled coconut pancake. These small pancakes are popular street desserts in Thailand, enjoyed by both locals and international tourists. They are cooked on a hot griddle and served hot to be enjoyed on the spot.
Coconut Pancakes – Khanom Krok
Coconut pancakes are made from rice flour and have a distinctive aroma of coconut and palm sugar. Crispy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside, these sweet delights will never leave you indifferent.
10. Banana Roti – Roti Kluay
Roti Kluay is a type of flatbread made from whole wheat flour. The dough is fried in a large skillet with plenty of vegetable margarine. You can choose from a variety of savory or sweet toppings according to your preferences.
Banana Roti – Roti Kluay
However, nowadays, banana-flavored roti with coconut milk is becoming increasingly popular and is one of the most beloved Thai desserts.
11. Chilled Coconut Dessert Soup – Ruam Mit
It’s the dessert not to be missed when visiting Thailand because it’s perfect for enjoying in hot weather. The chilled coconut dessert soup is found in many places, but it’s most renowned at Chatuchak Market.
Chilled Coconut Dessert Soup – Ruam Mit
Ruam Mit is a mixture of various fruits such as dragon fruit, watermelon, mango, durian, jackfruit… served with coconut milk. This dessert offers a refreshing flavor of fresh fruits combined with the creamy texture of coconut milk. A bowl of this dessert presents a variety of colors and is very attractive, instantly captivating visitors.
12. Red Rubies Dessert – Tub Tim Grob
Tub Tim Grob, often referred to by international travelers as the Red Ruby due to its scarlet red color resembling a precious stone, is a popular Thai dessert. It consists of water chestnut pearls and coconut cream. The crispy jelly pearls are coated with a thin layer of vibrant red tapioca starch.
Red Rubies Dessert – Tub Tim Grob
Red Rubies dessert offers a crispy texture and fragrant sweetness of jelly, along with the creaminess of coconut cream. This bowl is widely available in most restaurants and street stalls in Thailand.
13. Pandan Noodles with Coconut Milk – Lot Chong Nam Kathi
As one of traditional Thai desserts, Lot Chong Nam Kathi consists of rice flour vermicelli flavored with pandan leaf, finely grated to obtain long strands resembling noodles, served with coconut milk.
Pandan Noodles with Coconut Milk – Lot Chong Nam Kathi
This dessert is typically served at weddings in Thailand, according to tradition. The noodle strands passing through small holes symbolize the enduring nature of true love for married couples. This delicacy is sweet and fragrant due to the pandan leaf paired with coconut milk.
14. Pumpkin Custard – Sangkaya Faktong
This is an interesting Thai Halloween dessert you can try. Sangkaya Faktong is made from pumpkin or kabocha squash, combined with coconut milk.
Preparing this Thai dessert is a very elaborate process that requires care and skill. The delicious pumpkins are cleaned and emptied of their flesh to be filled with a mixture of egg custard. This pumpkin custard is then carefully steamed until tender, usually cut into 8 to 10 pieces and wrapped in banana leaves for preservation.
Pumpkin Custard – Sangkaya Faktong
By biting into a slice, you will savor a sweet and creamy pumpkin, filled with rich and smooth egg custard. It’s also one of the traditional Thai desserts not to be missed.
15. Fruit Shaped Mung Beans – Kanom Luk Chup
Among the most famous Thai desserts, Kanom Luk Chup stands out as a colorful confection shaped like mini fruits. This dessert is made from mung beans and coconut milk. You can find it in bakeries along the streets of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and other major cities.
Fruit Shaped Mung Beans – Kanom Luk Chup
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