When we think of Thai food, desserts are generally not one of the first things that come to mind, but you will be surprised at the wide array of delicious, dazzling-looking sweet dishes all across Thailand. Many may be a bit too sweet for the Western palate, but I highly encourage giving them a shot. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Black Sticky Rice Pudding

While a bit more bland as compared to most Thai desserts, the black sticky rice pudding is a refreshing, unique treat. Most people immediately assume that it gets its black color from food coloring or some other additive, but the rice it is made from is naturally black.

It’s a must to spoon some coconut milk or cream over the top to balance the more bland nature of this dish—makes all the difference and really brings out the flavor.

2. Tub Tim Grub (Water Chestnuts With Coconut Milk)

This is unlike any dessert you’ve seen at home. First, water chestnuts are soaked in different food colorings and then rolled in tapioca flour before being dropped in boiling water. The end result is vibrantly-colored gelatin, like “stones,” which are put on ice and served with coconut milk.

You’ll typically find these served with all kinds of differently shaped gelatin foods and sometimes green-noodle looking things—I have no idea what any of them are, by the way (hence the confusing language). But they are all very good, and the ice tops it all off for making both a unique and delicious dish.

The Thais seem to love them.

3. Avocado Shake

I’m not sure where you’re from, but back in California, we never thought of avocado as a component of sweet dishes. I knew that it was a fruit, but we always served it on savory dishes—Mexican foods, sandwiches, salads, etc.

Well, it turns out that in certain parts of Southeast Asia, avocado is thought of as sweet, and it is used in many desserts—especially in the Philippines but also here in Thailand when in season. A must-try is the avocado shake.

4. Sticky Rice with Mango

This is possibly one of my favorite dishes in the world…and I’m quite the foodie—as evidenced by my growing stomach. It’s simple to make and even more simple to fall in love with.
The sticky rice is cooked in coconut cream and then topped with fresh, sliced mango and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Coconut milk is drizzled over the top. This is one you really have to try to understand, and you will be amazed that something so basic could be so good.

The list by no means stops here. You’ll find different Thai desserts everywhere you go—try them out. It’s all part of the Thai eating experience.