Sweet Tooth in Siam: Thailand’s Most Addictive Desserts
Mango Sticky Rice – A Match Made in Thai Heaven
Let’s start with the undisputed queen of Thai desserts: Khao Niew Mamuang, or mango sticky rice. This beautifully balanced dish features sweet coconut-infused sticky rice topped with slices of fresh, ripe mango and drizzled with salty-sweet coconut cream.
Served cold or at room temperature, it’s a popular seasonal dessert (best from March to June when mangoes are at their juiciest). Street vendors serve it wrapped in banana leaves, while upscale restaurants plate it with edible flowers.
Fun fact: Sticky rice is naturally gluten-free and eaten with the hands in northern and northeastern Thailand!
Banana Roti – Thai Street Food’s Sugary Secret
A Thai twist on Indian roti, this pan-fried delight is filled with banana slices, folded like a parcel, and crisped until golden. But here’s the kicker: once it hits the plate, it’s smothered in condensed milk and often sprinkled with sugar, Nutella, or even Milo powder.
Banana roti is most often sold by street carts, especially in tourist hotspots like Bangkok’s Khao San Road, Phuket’s Patong Beach, and Koh Samui’s Lamai Night Market.
Fun fact: Roti stands are often run by Thai-Muslim vendors from the south of Thailand, making banana roti a delicious example of culinary fusion.
Look Choop – The Cutest Dessert in the Kingdom
These tiny, glossy fruit-shaped sweets are almost too pretty to eat. Look Choop is made from sweetened mung bean paste, moulded into mini replicas of mangosteens, chillies, mangoes, and more, then dipped in colourful agar jelly for that signature shine.
Originating from royal Thai cuisine, these dainty desserts were once served in the palace. Now, you’ll find them at floating markets, food festivals, and even airport gift shops.
Fun fact: The original look choop recipe came from Portuguese marzipan techniques introduced by 17th-century missionaries in Ayutthaya!
Tub Tim Grob – The ‘Red Rubies’ in Coconut Heaven
Literally translating to “crispy rubies,” this icy dessert features crunchy water chestnuts coated in red tapioca flour, served in sweet coconut milk over crushed ice. It’s refreshing, light, and a perfect antidote to Thailand’s heat.
Where to try it: Head to local food courts or order it at dessert cafés like Mont Nom Sod in Bangkok.
Khanom Buang – Thai Crispy Pancakes With a Twist
These taco-shaped street snacks are made from a crispy rice flour shell filled with coconut cream and topped with either sweet (shredded egg yolk or golden threads) or savoury (shrimp or coriander) toppings.
Think of them as the Thai version of crepes — bite-sized, portable, and wildly photogenic.
Khao Lam – Sticky Rice in Bamboo
Glutinous rice mixed with coconut milk and sometimes black beans is stuffed into a bamboo tube and roasted over coals. Crack open the charred outer layer, and you’ll reveal a smoky, naturally sweet sticky rice core.
Top spot to try it: Northern Thailand markets, especially in Chiang Rai and rural Isaan provinces.
More Sweet Bites to Add to Your Foodie List
- Foi Thong: Threads of golden egg yolk boiled in syrup, often used in ceremonial sweets.
- Khanom Chan: Steamed, colourful nine-layer jelly dessert made with tapioca and coconut milk.
- Sangkhaya Fak Thong: Pumpkin custard with a creamy coconut filling, steamed inside a whole pumpkin.
Tempted Yet? Here’s Why You Should Say Yes to Thai Sweets
Thai desserts are more than just delicious — they reflect the country’s rich history, from royal traditions to tropical agriculture. Whether you’re hunting for mango sticky rice on a Bangkok side street or snapping pics of colourful look choop in Chiang Mai, Thai desserts are a full-sensory experience.
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