Palm sugar

น้ำตาลปี๊บ nam tan pip / gula melaka

Flavor and role

Sugar made by boiling down palm sap and setting it, with a soft, caramel and butter-like sweetness.

Typical dishes and uses

Pad thai, green curry, som tam, cendol, rendang

Substitutes

1 tbsp palm sugar = 1 tbsp brown sugar (closest), or 1 tbsp white sugar + a few drops of maple syrup.

Storage

Airtight in a cool place at room temperature for 1-2 years. If it hardens, grate it or warm it before use.

Main countries

Thailand · Indonesia · Malaysia

Used in this book

Ayam Goreng (Indonesian Fried Chicken)Ayam PenyetBai Sach ChroukFish Amok (Amok Trey)Gado-GadoGai Yang (Isan-Style Thai Grilled Chicken)Thai Green Curry with Chicken (Gaeng Keow Wan)Khao SoiKuih DadarMassaman CurryNum Banh ChokPanang Chicken Curry (Phanaeng Gai)RawonBeef rendangSamlor KorkoChicken Satay (Sate Ayam)Sayur Lodeh (Javanese Vegetables in Coconut Milk)Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)Tom Kha GaiThai Red Curry Coconut AlbóndigasGreen Curry Coconut Arroz con Pollo (Colombian × Thai)Thai Coconut-Lemongrass AsopaoAyam Goreng Lengkuas (Galangal-Crumb Fried Chicken)Kenduri-Style Ayam Masak Merah, Double-Fried with Coconut FinishAyam Penyet KremesPrawn Bai Cha with Crispy Garlic and Tuk Trey Dipping SauceCharcoal Bai Sach Chrouk with Crispy Egg and Scallion OilCoconut-Garlic Pork Quesadillas with Khmer Pickle Pico (Cambodian × Mexican)Coconut Grilled Pork Rice BurgerBakso Laksa (Indonesian × Malaysian)Kluay Ping Banana Boats with Salted Coconut Caramel (Thai × American)Kampot Pepper Lok Lak with Butter Pan SauceBeef Rendang Bitterballen with Sambal Mayo (Dutch × Indonesian)Thai Iced Tea BobaClay-Pot Cá Kho with Pork Belly and Homemade Nước MàuCanh Chua with Fish-Bone Broth and Crispy-Skin Sea BassCanh Chua Crispy Fish Rice Bowl with Tamarind-Pineapple GlazeThai Red Curry Cazuela with Coconut, Pumpkin and CornThai Garlic-Pepper Chicken Vesuvio (Chicago × Thai)Thai Red Curry Coconut Dal with Lemongrass TadkaTom Yum Egg Drop Soup (Thai x Chinese)Silky Amok with Toasted Kroeung and Coconut CreamAmok Moules Marinière with BaguetteThai Red Curry Coconut FiskesuppeThai Red Curry Frikadeller (Danish × Thai)Gado-Gado with Pressed Rice Cakes and Shrimp-Paste Peanut SauceCharcoal Turmeric Gai Yang with Charred-Shallot JaewGreen Curry with Hand-Pounded PasteGreen Curry Shrimp Spaghetti (Thai-Italian)Green Curry Fried Rice with Crispy Fried EggCoconut Pandan Hobakjuk (Korean × Thai)Coconut Hopper Sundae Bowls with Palm-Sugar CaramelThai-Style Coconut Chicken and Squash CurryDouble-Stock Khao Man Gai with Golden Schmaltz RiceChiang Mai Khao Soi with Hand-Made PasteKhao Soi Fried RiceMango Coconut Kheer (Indian × Thai)Kuih Dadar with Gula Melaka Coconut and Salted Coconut CreamMatcha Kuih Dadar with Red Bean and Gula Melaka Coconut (Malaysian × Japanese)Kuih Dadar French Toast with Gula Melaka Coconut SyrupPrawn-Head Stock Curry LaksaHand-Chopped Larb Gai with Lemongrass Khao Khua and Crispy Chicken SkinLechon Kawali Pad Kra Pao (Filipino × Thai)Red Curry Coconut Lion's Head Meatballs (Chinese × Thai)Coconut-Pandan Malva Pudding with Palm Sugar Sauce (South African x Southeast Asian)Pandan Mango Sticky Rice with Crispy Mung BeansSlow-Braised Beef Shin Massaman with Whole SpicesMassaman Chicken Pot PieMassaman Chicken Loaded FriesSeafood Mee Goreng Mamak with Homemade Chili PasteThai Red Curry Coconut Lentil SoupThai red curry moqueca with lemongrassThai Red Curry Coconut CouscousNasi Lemak with Spiced Fried Chicken (Ayam Goreng Berempah)Sambal Fried Chicken Nasi Lemak BurgerSmoky Grilled-Fish Num Banh ChokKroeung Fish Tacos with Coconut-Lime Crema (Cambodian × Mexican)Kroeung Fish Cakes with Coconut Curry Dip and Herb WrapsPad Kra Pao Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe (Italian × Thai)Hand-Chopped Pork Kra Pao with Crispy Fried BasilVelvet Pork Pad See Ew with Wok-Charred NoodlesPad Thai Goong with Shrimp-Head OilSlow-Braised Beef Panang (Phanaeng Neua) with Toasted SpicesPanang Beef Cottage Pie with Coconut Sweet Potato Mash (Thai × British)Pandan-Coconut Poffertjes with Palm Sugar SyrupTom Yum Shoyu Ramen with PrawnsRawon Iga (Beef Short Rib Rawon) with Sambal TerasiRawon Beef Ragù Pappardelle with Salted Egg Yolk (Indonesian × Italian)Padang-style dry rendangCrispy rendang wingsRoti Jala with Fresh Rempah Chicken CurrySamlor Korko with Slow-Simmered Pork Ribs and Smoked FishKroeung Pork and Roasted Pumpkin Rice Bowl with Toasted Rice CrunchCharcoal Sate Madura with Fried-Peanut SauceSayur Lodeh with Fresh-Pressed Coconut MilkSayur Lodeh Coconut Gratin with Tempeh CrumbShan Noodles with Slow-Cooked Tomato Pork and Crispy ShallotsTam Thai with Grilled PrawnsSom Tam Chicken TacosSom Tam Summer RollsRed Curry Coconut Sopa de Fideo with Shrimp (Thai × Mexican)Tom Yum Sundubu JjigaeBlack Sesame Tangyuan in Pandan Coconut Milk (Chinese × Thai)Coconut-Lemongrass Chicken Thukpa (Nepali × Thai)Tom Kha Gai with Quick Bone Stock and Charred AromaticsTom Kha Creamy Chicken Rice BowlCreamy Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon with Shrimp-Head StockCrispy Tom Yum Fried Rice with Jammy EggThai Coconut Lemongrass White Chicken ChiliTom Yum Prawn Soup Dumplings (Thai × Shanghai)

Updated 2026-10-10