Top 10 Thai Desserts That Delight the Taste Buds

Thai desserts offer another side to explore in the world of the best Thai dishes. Indulging in these sweet treats opens the taste buds to new flavors and takes food lovers on an exciting culinary adventure that is never boring.

If you're out on the streets looking for a variety of authentic Thai desserts to feast on, we've put together a list of the best desserts you should definitely check out. Scroll down to discover the top places that should be at the top of your must-visit list to enjoy these sweet delights.

Written by Tieu Bao (Local Expert) Updated on 25-05-2024

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1. What Makes Thai Desserts So Special?

In Thailand, Thai desserts, known as "khanom wan thai", are an essential step to end a meal. They are designed to be shared among diners around the table.

The origin of Thai desserts can be traced back to the time when the Portuguese introduced the use of eggs, which have become an essential ingredient in Thai desserts, in addition to flour, sugar, and coconut. Mung beans, rice flour, glutinous rice, lotus seeds, palm sugar, and cassava root are also commonly used ingredients in Thai sweets.

Thai desserts reflect the importance of certain ingredients in the culture and history of this beautiful country. Thus, many desserts highlight fresh fruits such as mangoes and guava, as well as sticky rice as the main ingredient. The best Thai desserts are often the simplest, as complexity is not a key part of most Thai cuisines!

A unique feature of Thai desserts is their fragrance. Thais have a habit of soaking aromatic flowers such as jasmine in water and then using this infusion to create syrups.

So it's no surprise that some may find Thai desserts too sweet. The sweetness comes mainly from sugars such as palm sugar, coconut sugar, and honey. Unlike refined white sugars used in Western cuisines, which have little flavor outside of sweetness, palm sugar and coconut sugar each bring their own unique taste profile to dishes.

2. Top 10 Thai Desserts You Can't Miss on a Trip

2.1. Khao Niao Mamuang (Mango Sticky Rice)

Mango sticky rice, called "Khao Niao Mamuang" in Thai, can be considered Thailand's national dessert and can be found in almost every restaurant in Thailand.

Khao Niao Mamuang features sticky rice paired with delicious mangoes. In Thailand, the mango season is between March and May. The most popular variety in Thailand (and the world) is called "mango nam dok mai" and is usually sweet and juicy. Traditionally, mango sticky rice uses an older variety known as "ok rong," which is renowned for its more fibrous texture and fragrance.

The second key ingredient in this dessert is sticky rice, which is closely associated with Thai culture as a whole. Sticky rice is cooked with coconut milk to give the dish its characteristic flavor.

2.2. Khao Niaow Tu-rean (Durian Sticky Rice)

Khao Niaow Tu-rean, also known as durian sticky rice, is a classic Thai dessert especially enjoyed by durian lovers! A delicious sweet blend of coconut and durian is poured over fluffy sticky rice... It's a comforting dessert.

In some places, steamed sticky rice is stuffed inside a large chunk of durian, then topped with steamed green beans and drizzled with coconut milk. You can even ask to add cream on top.

Khao Niaow Tu Rean ranks among the best desserts, both in the durian dessert category and in the traditional Thai sweet category. The creamy texture of the milk pairs perfectly with the sweet flavor of the fruit and sticky rice. When evaluating the quality of your Khao Niaow Tu Rean, consider its sweetness, aroma, and the quality of the sticky rice used.

2.3. Coconut Ice Cream

The climate in Thailand is ideal for enjoying refreshing desserts such as coconut ice cream. What makes this dessert unique is that it is served in a coconut itself, rather than in a bowl or glass.

The seller starts by dividing a peeled coconut in half. Then he scrapes all the copra inside and sets it aside for later. The prepared coconut cream is made from coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla, and then it is placed in the coconut along with various other ingredients such as fresh copra, peanuts, jaggery, assorted jelly, young corn, and chocolate chips.

2.4. Ruam Mit (Thai Fruit Soup with Coconut Milk)

Ruam Mit is a must-try dessert during your visit to Thailand, as it is incredibly popular and delicious! It can be found in many places, but the most famous is the Chatuchak Market.

This sweet Thai soup is a fusion of different fruits such as dragon fruit, watermelon, mango, durian, jackfruit... Served with coconut milk. Some places also add fruit jelly, peanuts, and many other ingredients. Just by admiring its colorful and attractive presentation, visitors are immediately drawn in.

Thai Coconut Milk Fruit Soup offers a fresh and fragrant taste sensation, blending the bright flavors of fruit with the creamy richness of coconut milk. It's best to enjoy it chilled, possibly with ice cubes for a refreshing touch.

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2.5. Tub Tim Krob (Red Ruby)

Red ruby dessert, also known as tub tim krob, is a delicious and refreshing Thai dessert made with water chestnuts and coconut cream. Crispy, slightly nutty and creamy, it's the perfect dessert to enjoy every day.

This dessert is made using crispy water chestnuts coated in a thin layer of tapioca flour tinged with a bright red color. They look like gorgeous red rubies, served with fresh, white coconut milk. The creamy taste of coconut milk combined with the aromatic sweetness of chestnuts will surely delight the taste buds of the guests. This dessert can be found in most restaurants and street stalls in Thailand.

2.6. Kanom Krok (Thai Coconut Pancakes)

A popular breakfast snack in Thailand is Kanom Krok, a delicious sweet coconut pudding. The main ingredients used are coconut milk, rice flour and sugar.

This is a street delicacy that can easily be found on carts in small alleys or Thai markets. To make a Khanom Krok, rice flour and coconut milk are mixed in specific proportions and then grilled over charcoal.

Coconut rice pancakes are cooked in a cast iron skillet with semi-circles. Once ready, people add a finishing touch by sprinkling a little green onion or corn on top of the cake, which adds an appealing visual note and enhances the aroma while toning down the sweetness of the coconut milk. Crispy on the outside, soft and fragrant on the inside, these sweet pancakes are never boring.

>>> Also read: 9 Refreshing Thai Drinks for Hot Summer Days

2.7. Sangkaya Fak Thong (Thai Pumpkin Custard)

The Thai pumpkin custard, called Sangkaya Fak Thong, is really adorable! It's a unique combination only found in Thailand, pairing pumpkin with a delicious egg custard mix. Visitors appreciate this dessert for its sweet, smooth and indulgent texture.

The preparation of Thai pumpkin custard is a very elaborate process that requires the chef to be meticulous and skillful. The tasty pumpkins are thoroughly cleaned, emptied of their innards, and then filled with an egg custard filling. They are then steamed until tender. Once ready, the pumpkins are cut into 8 to 10 pieces and wrapped in banana leaves before being sold.

2.8. Khao Tom Mad (Banana and Coconut Milk Sticky Rice Rolls)

This dish is not only a traditional Thai dessert, you can also find it in the land of millions of elephants, in Laos. Khao Tom Mad, also known as filled sticky rice, is a popular delicacy on the streets of Thailand.

Khao Tom Mad is made up of delicious sweet sticky rice cakes, filled with banana and black beans, then steamed in banana leaf packets. In Thailand, there are more than 20 different types of bananas, and the smaller, sweeter red bananas are used in recipes like this one. They are then sold wrapped in banana leaves, ingeniously tied with shaved bamboo "strings".

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Khao Tom Mad is available in street markets across the country. It can be enjoyed as a sweet snack or as a meal in its own right. This dish is often offered to monks during major religious festivals.

2.9. Luk Chup (Thai Mung Bean Desserts in the Shape of a Fruit)

This delicious dessert is known as Luk Chup, and it can be considered a cake or candy because of its sweetness. Native to Portugal, it is colorful and made from green beans and coconut milk.

What makes the Luk Chup unique is its shape. These small mung bean pastries are carefully shaped to resemble mini fruits and vegetables such as mango, chili, mangosteen, strawberry, small wild melon, orange peel, and many more.

They are then covered in bright colors to accentuate their vitality. Looking at the display in the bakery, you might think you were standing in front of a tropical fruit stand. The appearance of these desserts is so appealing that they seem specially designed to appeal to children. That's why a lot of attention is paid to their aesthetics.

2.10. Thai Roti (Thai Pancakes)

The roast, or rotee, was introduced to Thailand many years ago by Indian immigrants. It is a kind of pancake that is usually enjoyed as a dessert. It can be enjoyed either with sweetened condensed milk or by topping it with banana, chocolate or other ingredients of your choice.

Thai pancakes are different from fluffy French pancakes. When you taste them, you will be surprised by their crispy, melt-in-your-mouth texture, as well as their unique flavor.

After adding the filling of your choice, such as bananas or chocolate, the pancake is topped with a meringue made with beaten egg whites and sugar, then topped with minced egg yolks. Then it is folded and toasted to achieve a delicious combination of flavors and textures. Depending on your preference, you can also add sweetened condensed milk or extra chocolate.

3. Where to Enjoy the Best Thai Desserts in Bangkok?

When you come to Thailand, it is essential to clearly appreciate Thai cuisine in general, and especially the unique desserts. Don't miss the following local addresses:

3.1. Chatuchak Market

Chatuchak Market is the largest market in Thailand, covering almost 11 hectares and full of spaces and stalls offering all kinds of products. By visiting this market, you can find everything you need, from clothes and accessories to furniture, crafts, and delicious food. This market is also known as the culinary paradise of the Golden Temple country, making it easy for you to experience Thai cuisine.

Address: 587, 10 Kamphaeng Phet Street 2, Khwaeng Chatuchak, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakho, Thailand.

3.2. Yaowarat (Chinatown)

Although it is a Chinatown, Yaowarat is best known for its traditional Thai dishes, as well as Thai-Chinese dishes. The long queues in front of the stalls and full tables are a testament to its constant popularity.

Address: Yaowarat Street, Khwang Samphanthawong, Khet Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand.

3.3. Sukhumvit Soi 38

The small street Sukhumvit Soi 38 is full of typical Thai street food. Although this neighborhood is the smallest in terms of selling food on the street, visitors are still delighted by many delicious Thai options. This dessert paradise is located right next to Thong Lo Station and the stalls only open in the evening.

Address: 38 Sukhumvit Street, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, Bangkok, Thailand.

3.4. Sam Yan Market

Located in the heart of the capital Bangkok, Sam Yan Market and its surrounding neighborhoods are full of Thai street food. Sam Yan is famous for his grilled, fried and cheap meat dishes. You can also enjoy sweet desserts, such as a cup of fresh coconut cream or mango/durian sticky rice, for example, at the Suan Luang market next door.

Address: Khwaeng Wang Mai, Khet Pathumwan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand.

3.5. Lumpini Park

Located right next to Lumpini Park, on Ratchadamri Street, you will easily find many street food stalls offering dinner. Visitors often come here to enjoy authentic Thai Som Tum, Laab and sticky rice.

Address: Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand.

Our Final Words

The best way to experience a country is to immerse yourself in its culture, and especially its cuisine. Thai desserts attract travelers with their variety of colors. The ingredients, which seem seemingly unrelated, combine in unique ways to create a harmony of flavors.

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