Talat Phlu’s Sweet Secret: Unveiling the Magic of Khanom Tako (and More!)
I’ve embarked on the “Talat Phlu pilgrimage” three times now, each journey driven by an irresistible craving for one thing: their incredible Khanom Tako (ตะโก้). I’ve been raving about it to every visiting family member, so it’s high time this sweet obsession gets its own dedicated spotlight for easy sharing!
I confess, I’m generally not the biggest fan of Thai desserts. Often, their sweetness levels are a bit much for me, and many bear similarities to Malaysian treats I’m already familiar with. However, the Tako at Khanom Wan Talat Phlu (ขนมหวานตลาดพลู) is a complete game-changer. Seriously, it’s got us all absolutely gaga!
The true star here is its soft, aromatic, melt-in-your-mouth creamy coconut topping/layer. It’s pure perfection. While it comes in four delightful variations – taro, sweet corn, sago, and sweet potato – honestly, any filling works because that coconut layer transcends. And the best part? It’s perfectly balanced, not so overwhelmingly sweet that you’ll need an immediate dentist appointment! Plus, it’s incredibly wallet-friendly, mostly at 9 baht per piece (some items vary slightly in price).
Beyond the Tako: A Sweet Symphony
While the Tako reigns supreme in our hearts, we’ve happily ventured beyond. We’ve sampled their delicious black glutinous rice (ข้าวเหนียวดำหน้ากระฉีก), jelly (วุ้น), coconut cake (บ้าบิ่น), and the bean cake (ถั่วตัด). All were excellent!
Our first trip to Talat Phlu was more of a scouting mission – my husband and I were too full from other eats to buy anything. On our second visit (our first actual trip to the shop), after a nearly hour-long queue, we proudly walked away with two Tako each, along with the black glutinous rice and coconut cake. My third expedition with my niece saw us stocking up with four pieces of Tako each, a repeat purchase of the coconut cake, and new tries of the bean cake and jelly.
Chatting with fellow customers, you’ll hear the common refrain that “everything is good here,” and personal preference certainly plays a role. But for us (and my sister and niece, who are equally smitten!), the Tako is the undisputed champion. Their “khanom chan” (ขนมชั้น) is also highly sought after, but being similar to what we find in Malaysia, none of my family members felt compelled to try it.
The Buzz, The Queue, The Community Spirit
My sister’s experience perfectly highlights the shop’s irresistible appeal: Google Maps initially showed it closed on a Tuesday during her visit, but they were absolutely thrilled to find it open after all. From my end, it consistently shows open 7 days a week from 11 AM to 8 PM.
This shop is incredibly busy, yet the service is remarkably prompt – a huge salute to the staff for efficiently managing the constant churn of customers! Upon arrival, make sure to pick a numbered queue card and patiently wait for your number to be called.
On our first Saturday visit around 1 PM, we were number 61 in the second batch of queue cards. On my second Saturday visit, arriving earlier around 12 PM (left photo), the wait was only about 20 minutes. Passing by again around 2 PM (right photo) on that same day, it was noticeably less crowded. My sister reported a short wait with only a few customers on her Tuesday late morning, close to noon visit. So, good luck with your timing – but trust me, it’s absolutely worth the wait!
A Recent Saturday Afternoon Update
My most recent visit on a Saturday at 2:45 p.m. was a surprise. There were only a handful of customers, and my queue card was served immediately. However, I discovered that many items were already sold out, including the specific ones we wanted to buy: khanom tako taro and sweet potato, bean cake, and black glutinous rice. The shop staff confirmed they would not be making a new batch, which was a surprise since they officially close at 8 p.m. We settled for the available sweet corn and sago for the khanom tako and coconut cake. We then walked to the other dessert shop we wanted to try, only to find their khanom tako was also sold out. It seems that if you want a full selection, an early visit is essential!
We were also told by staff that due to the notoriously long queues, sometimes customers abandon their queue numbers, and these cards can sometimes be found at nearby eateries. This showcases a wonderful community spirit, as other local sellers will return them to the shop. And a bonus tip: if you happen to miss your queue number (perhaps because you stepped away due to the long wait), they will still serve you, and you’re not required to take a new number, though we always chose to wait nearby just in case.
I also adore how each Tako is individually wrapped in a fresh banana leaf. Imagine the sheer volume of meticulous wrapping required to serve all those customers daily – it’s truly impressive and adds so much to the charm! We even heard that some of their desserts need to be individually wrapped like this to prevent them from sticking to each other, which makes perfect sense for such delicate treats.
Khanom Wan Talat Phlu (ขนมหวานตลาดพลู) Details:
- Address: 1129 Soi Thoet Thai 25, Talat Phlu, Thon Buri, Bangkok 10600
- Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11 AM – 8 PM.
- Important Note for Google Maps: There is another Thai dessert shop named Khanom Wan Talat Phlu Jao Gao (ขนหวานตลาดพลูเจ้าเก่า) – note the addition of “Jao Gao (เจ้าเก่า)” on its name. They have similar dessert offerings, and there seems to be some confusion on Google Maps with incorrect pins. “Jao Gao” basically means “the original” or “established,” so it can be used to describe both shops as they’ve both been around for a very long time. However, the specific shop I visited (and highly recommend) at 1129 Soi Thoet Thai 25 doesn’t emphasize “Jao Gao” on its signage. To be sure you’re at the correct location, look for the shop explicitly at this address. It is not the one that has “เจ้าเก่า” prominently on its sign on the main Thoet Thai road, shop no. 1119, next to the Tor Chan Phen (ต.จันทร์เพ็ญ) Beef Noodle. I haven’t tried that other shop yet – I saw customers there too, albeit fewer. My husband thinks it might be just as good, so we won’t rule it out for a future visit before we make our final verdict! Perhaps our next trip will settle the debate.
Other Nearby Delights in Talat Phlu: A Foodie’s Guide
While you’re indulging in Talat Phlu’s sweet side, don’t miss these other excellent local eateries and unique spots we’ve enjoyed:
Tong Leng Egg Noodle (บะหมี่ตงเล้ง): A reliable spot for classic egg noodles. Address: 942 Thanon Thoet Thai, Talat Phlu. Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9:30 AM – 9 PM
Tor Chan Phen (ต.จันทร์เพ็ญ) Beef Noodle: Known on Google as “Talat Phlu Beef Noodle Shop,” this highly-regarded beef noodle shop is an absolute must-try. Address: 1117 Thanon Thoet Thai, Talat Phlu. Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9 AM – 6 PM
Tek Heng (เต็กเฮง): We also tried their famous crispy rice noodles here. While it’s incredibly well-known, it’s worth noting it wasn’t quite my (or my sister’s) preference. This just goes to show that “famous” truly comes down to individual taste! Address: 326-330, Soi Thoet Thai 16, Talat Phlu. Operating Hours: Saturday & Sunday 10 AM – 9 PM, Monday – Friday 10 AM – 2 PM, 4 – 9 PM
Lée Po Ngek Chives Dumpling Talat Phlu (ลี้ป๋อเง็ก กุยช่ายตลาดพลู): This guichai (กุยช่าย) shop is a consistent favorite of ours, especially as it’s air-conditioned – a welcome respite from the heat! Their dumplings are delicious and come with six types of filling: chive, taro, cabbage, bamboo shoot, sticky rice, and yam bean. They cost 12 baht per piece with a minimum purchase of 5 pieces. Address: 886 Thanon Thoet Thai, Talat Phlu. Operating Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10 AM – 8 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Note: Talat Phlu is renowned for its guichais; we tried one other stall on our first visit. Generally, I think it’ll be hard to find a bad guichai in this “Land of Guichais.”
Sarinthip’s Thai Crispy Pancake (Kanom Buang) (สรินทร์ทิพย์ขนมเบื้องไทย): Also highly recommended for a classic Thai crispy pancake! You can find this Kanom Buang stall within the main Talat Phlu food market itself. Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8 AM – 10 PM.
Bachang Khun Pha (บะจ่างคุณภา): Located just a few doors away from Tek Heng, this shop sells delicious bachang (Chinese sticky rice dumplings), jammed-pack with ingredients. I bought one at 65 baht per my sister’s recommendation – they come in savory or sweet (with yam paste) varieties. Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9 AM – 8 PM.
Pracha (ประชา): A delightful hidden gem for a coffee break. This old printing house has been transformed into a charming air-conditioned cafe and co-working space, perfect for Instagrammable moments. Simply purchase one drink per customer to enjoy the space; they also offer Thai snacks. Address: 103 Soi Thoet Thai 20, Talat Phlu. Operating Hours: 10 AM – 7 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
Bonus Travel Tips & Local Insights for Talat Phlu:
Make the most of your Talat Phlu adventure with these additional tips:
Local Train to Wongwian Yai: If you have some extra time and are looking for a truly unique experience, consider taking a local train from Talat Phlu railway station to Wongwian Yai. This non-air-conditioned ride costs just 3 baht and provides a memorable glimpse into authentic local life. Just ensure your fare is paid by purchasing a ticket before boarding the train, otherwise, it’ll cost more and come with a fine! You’ll need to buy tickets from the counter, which typically opens closer to the train’s arrival time. While there’s a self-service machine available and it is functioning, it seems most people struggle to use it, so the counter is your best bet. From Wongwian Yai, you can easily connect to the BTS Wongwian Yai station for your onward journey.
Getting to Talat Phlu from BTS: From BTS Talat Phlu, take Exit 1 or 2 and walk through Soi Thoet Thai 33 for approximately 1 km (about 15 minutes). When you see the railway track, you can cautiously stroll along it, being mindful of any passing trains, or simply continue straight along Soi Thoet Thai 33 until you reach the main Thoet Thai road. You can also take a songtaew, though we enjoyed walking on our first and second visits, and opted for a ride-hailing service on my third visit for convenience.
The Big Buddha at Wat Paknam: This impressive landmark is quite walkable from the dessert shop! You can head to the “Photo spot for the Big Buddha at Paknam temple” on Google Maps for the best views. While there are boats for rent at this spot, they are genuinely harmless and will often encourage you to take photos without any charge, even if you don’t opt for a boat service. This is a nice break from some of the typical tourist scams in Bangkok, truly showcasing the genuine hospitality of Talat Phlu. This photo spot is slightly less than 1 km, or about a 10-minute walk, from Khanom Wan Talat Phlu. If you wish to walk further to the temple itself, Google Maps indicates it’s another 300 meters or about a 5-minute walk.
Talat Phlu Pier: There’s a pier near Tek Heng that offers boat rentals too, though I haven’t personally made use of these services.
“How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” House: My niece was keen to visit the house featured in the popular Thai movie “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” while we were in the area, only to discover the house was actually located in Chinatown! Just a fun tidbit to keep in mind. But otherwise, most of the filming locations were shot right here in Talat Phlu.
