Thai street coconut pancake earns global dessert ranking
Khanom khrok, a small Thai coconut pancake, has been listed among the 100 best desserts in the world for 2026 in an online survey conducted by TasteAtlas, which is recognised by many as the “World Food Atlas.”
Ranked 24th in the survey, the Thai street food dessert, made from rice flour and coconut milk, placed well ahead of khao niao mamuang, or mango sticky rice, which ranked 64th and is usually the most favoured dessert among both Thais and foreign tourists.
The survey was conducted online, asking consumers and food critics around the world to vote for their favourite desserts.
TasteAtlas described khanom khrok as being baked in large iron pans with small, round indentations. It is typically prepared in two stages.
First, a batter is cooked to form a crispy bottom layer. It is then topped with a creamy, lightly sweetened coconut milk filling.
Typical additions to this custard-like filling include sliced scallions, taro, corn or pumpkin.
Khanom khrok is a staple Thai street food, typically enjoyed as a quick and satisfying snack that balances sweet and savoury flavours exceptionally well.
As for mango sticky rice, the dessert remains incredibly popular and can be found at almost any eatery in Thailand, the website noted.
Ten best world desserts, according to TasteAtlas, are:
- Antakya künefesi – Turkey
- Clotted cream ice cream – England
- Gelato al pistachio – Italy
- Strudel (Trentino-Alto Adige) – Italy
- Gaziantep baklavası – Turkey
- Fıstıklı sarma – Turkey
- Tembleque – Puerto Rico
- Sweet crêpes (Crêpes sucrées) – France
- Tinginys – Lithuania
- Pão de Ló de Ovar – Portugal