Discovering a 40-Year-Old Thai Dessert Gem in Ari

August 16, 2025 Not Your Typical Tourist

Thai desserts were never really on my radar, at least not until my unforgettable experience at Khanom Wan Talat Phlu. That’s why, despite countless visits to Ari, I had never stepped into the renowned Maliwan Kanom Thai.

Recently, while strolling down Soi Ari 1, the shop’s charming facade caught my eye—it had a similar classic vibe to Khanom Wan Talat Phlu. I convinced my husband to join me, and to my surprise, he was even more excited than I was. He immediately spotted the Khanom Krong Krang ครองแครง (35 Baht), a dessert he hadn’t had in years. It’s a sweet dish featuring small, ridged tapioca dumplings shaped like tiny shells, swimming in fragrant coconut milk and topped with sesame seeds.

After enjoying a nearby lunch, we went back to the shop around 1:35 PM on a public holiday for a second helping, but we were met with disappointment—they were already sold out of most items. We were told to come back tomorrow morning when they open. This high demand is a testament to their popularity, and I later found many reviews on Chinese websites.

Maliwan’s story actually began in Talat Phlu before they moved to Ari, where they’ve been for over 40 years. Their secret to success? An emphasis on using good-quality coconut milk and making their desserts less sweet—a philosophy that clearly resonates with their customers. The khanom chan ขนมชั้น, a layered steamed dessert, also seems to be a must-buy.

The Delivery Experience: A Mixed Review

Eager to try more of their offerings, I later tried to order via a delivery app, only to be disappointed that Khanom Krong Krang wasn’t listed—it seems this must be an in-person purchase. I ordered a variety of other desserts, including:

Khanom Tako ขนมตะโก้ (creamy coconut milk and chewy taro): 30 Baht (36 Baht via delivery)
Kow Niew Dum Krati ข้าวเหนียวดำกะทิ (black sticky rice with coconut milk): 25 Baht (30 Baht via delivery)
Khanom Chan: 30 Baht (36 Baht via delivery)
Khao Tom Mud ข้าวต้มมัด (sticky rice with banana): 30 Baht (36 Baht via delivery)
Khao Pod Nam Gati Ma Prao Nam Hom ข้าวโพดน้ำกะทิมะพร้าวน้ำหอม (sweet corn with coconut milk): 35 Baht (42 Baht via delivery)

Note: Prices on the delivery app are typically 5-7 baht more expensive.

While these desserts were fine, nothing really stood out to me personally. My friend’s boyfriend, who is also familiar with the shop, shared a similar sentiment, though he acknowledged its popularity. However, my friend particularly enjoyed the tako because she appreciated the chewy texture and small taro pieces.

Final Thoughts

If you want to try their famous sweets, especially the Khanom Krong Krang, be sure to go early and in person! And a quick tip: remember to bring cash, as it’s the only form of payment they accept.

Maliwan Kanom Thai (มะลิวัลย์ ขนมไทย)