Lod Chong

Name: Lod Chong
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 4 to 6
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 150 g pandan noodles; 200 ml coconut milk; 40 g palm sugar; as needed ice; 1 pinch salt

25 minutes prep 45 minutes cook Serves 4 to 6 vegetarian

Lod Chong, a beloved Thai dessert, is often prepared at home with the same care as pandan cendol, its close cousin. This treat is particularly cherished during the sweltering afternoons, offering a refreshing escape from the heat. Passed down through generations, it's crafted with an intuitive touch—salt is added by feel, and coconut milk is poured with a generous hand.

The result is a dish that dances between creamy and sweet, with the subtle fragrance of pandan weaving through every bite. The pandan noodles, silky and cool, glide effortlessly alongside the rich coconut milk, while palm sugar adds a gentle sweetness. A pinch of salt balances the flavors, making each spoonful a perfect harmony of taste and texture.

Ingredients

150 gpandan noodles
200 mlcoconut milk
40 gpalm sugar
as neededice
1 pinchsalt

Method

Start by preparing the pandan noodles. If they are frozen, allow them to thaw at room temperature until they are soft and pliable. This ensures that the noodles will absorb the flavors of the syrup and coconut milk later.
In a medium saucepan, combine 200 ml of coconut milk with 40 g of palm sugar and a pinch of salt. Place the saucepan over low heat, stirring gently to dissolve the sugar completely. The mixture should not boil; instead, it should become a smooth, creamy syrup with a light caramel color.
Once the sugar has dissolved and the coconut milk mixture is smooth, remove the saucepan from the heat. Allow it to cool slightly while you prepare the serving bowls. This cooling step is important to prevent the noodles from becoming too soft when mixed with the hot syrup.
Fill serving bowls with ice as needed. The ice will help chill the dessert and create a refreshing contrast with the sweet, creamy syrup. Arrange the pandan noodles on top of the ice in each bowl, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
Pour the cooled coconut milk syrup over the pandan noodles in each bowl. The syrup should coat the noodles, infusing them with its sweet, creamy flavor. The noodles will turn a slightly translucent color, indicating they have absorbed the syrup.
Serve the Lod Chong immediately while the ice is still present, ensuring the dessert is refreshingly cold. The combination of the chewy pandan noodles, sweet coconut syrup, and cold ice creates a delightful texture and taste experience.