Crullers with pandan sauce!? A unique taste you can only find in Thailand

Text & photos /Shao Sheng
Crullers with pandan sauce — although pandan leaves are one of Thailand’s famous local products, the combination of crullers with pandan sauce is something I’d never seen before. The unique pairing and flavor were truly astonishing. The cruller and pandan spot that Xiao Sheng is about to introduce is a soy milk and cruller shop. Why highlight it alone? Because its flavor is just too special. Recently, as I might be heading back to Chiang Mai again, I unexpectedly stumbled upon this long-forgotten photo album. Having not introduced Thai food in a while, I’d like to share this unique soy milk and cruller shop with everyone.

This soy milk and cruller shop doesn’t have an English name, only a Thai one. However, it’s located on Ratchiangsean Road, just outside Chiang Mai Gate. After exiting Chiang Mai Gate from the Old City area, walk left for about 50 meters to reach it — it’s right next to Hotel Huean Samila. With so many identifying details, this distinctive soy milk and cruller shop shouldn’t be hard to find.

In addition to soy milk, crullers, and pandan sauce, this small stall also sells milk, longan, grains, and soy milk with grains. The selection isn’t very extensive, but I was surprised to find that the shop even sells pandan sauce — I’d never seen that before.

Although I only discovered this stall during my most recent trip to Thailand in Chiang Mai, I’ve actually eaten there many times. Every time, though, I’d only order soy milk, crullers & pandan sauce. The first time I visited this shop, what intrigued me most was the shape of the crullers. While this cruller shape is quite common in Taiwan, most crullers in Thailand are typically very small. No one makes them this big — seeing such oversized crullers was a first for me in Thailand.

Crullers (15 baht): I initially thought the crullers from this little shop were nothing special, but after taking a bite, I was genuinely amazed. Unlike Taiwanese crullers, which have a chewy and springy texture, these have a crispy exterior with an inside that’s soft and fluffy — so fluffy it practically melts in your mouth. I don’t remember ever having crullers this incredibly soft before. And the more you chew, the more the natural sweetness of the crullers comes through. Though they may look a bit less appealing, their deliciousness is beyond imagination.

Pandan sauce (10 baht): Another soul of these crullers is this pandan sauce. Pandan sauce is usually seen as a spread for toast, so using it with crullers is truly one-of-a-kind. The pandan sauce has a mildly sweet taste, yet it’s filled with the rich aroma of pandan leaves. This fragrant, sweet sauce pairs perfectly with the soft, increasingly sweet crullers — the combination is extremely unique and leaves you in awe.

Soy milk (5 baht): I’ve always quite liked Thai soy milk, and the price is very affordable — just 5 baht for a big bowl of hot soy milk. Most soy milk shops also add ingredients like chewy rice balls, red beans, green beans, or soybeans. Though I’m unsure how the grains here taste, based on past experiences, I found the mix didn’t quite work for me, so I just had the soy milk. It’s a bit sweet, but the bean flavor is very rich, and the taste is pretty good. When eating crullers in Thailand, having a bowl of soy milk is simply essential. Chiang Mai, the ancient capital of Thailand, is known for its unique local cuisine. Chiang Mai is to Thailand what Tainan is to Taiwan. Accidentally discovering this exceptionally good soy milk and cruller shop has made me want to stop by and grab some for a snack every time I pass by at night. Friends visiting Chiang Mai must definitely try this unique flavor.

Soy Milk Shop Near Chiang Mai Gate

Address: Ratchiangsean Rd., Amphoe Muang, Chiang Mai, 50100 (about 50 meters east of Chiang Mai Gate, next to Hotel Huean Samila)

Business hours: Approximately 6 PM to 10:30 PM

Xiao Sheng’s Wandering Journey
Every journey of wandering, every trip is a pursuit. Though I’m not entirely sure what I’m chasing, what I ultimately gain often exceeds my imagination. Therefore, my wandering journey will continue without end.