Khanom khai hong facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Khanom khai hia |
|---|---|
| Type | Thai dessert |
| Place of origin | Thailand |
| Region or state | Nationwide |
| Created by | Royal Concubine Waen |
| Main ingredients | sweet potato starch, glutinous rice flour, pumpkin, mung bean, white sugar, black pepper, icing, sesame seeds |
Khanom khai hong (Thai: ขนมไข่หงส์) is a delicious and popular Thai dessert. It's often described as a Thai-style doughnut ball because of its round shape and crispy outside. This sweet treat is enjoyed by many people across Thailand.
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About Khanom Khai Hong
Khanom khai hong means "swan-egg snack" in Thai. These tasty balls are made from a special dough, usually with flour. Inside, they are filled with a sweet and savory mung bean paste. After being filled, they are deep-fried until they are golden brown and crispy. Finally, they are often coated with a sweet icing or sprinkled with white sesame seeds.
What Does It Taste Like?
When you bite into a khanom khai hong, you'll notice a mix of flavors. The outside is wonderfully crispy, while the inside is soft and chewy. It has a unique taste that is both sweet and a little bit salty, making it a truly satisfying snack.
The Story Behind the Name
The name khanom khai hong comes from its shape, which looks like a swan's egg. But this dessert actually had a different name a long time ago! It was first called khanom khai hia.
A Royal Request
The story goes that during the early days of the Rattanakosin Kingdom in Thailand, King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (also known as King Rama I) really liked to eat water monitor eggs. However, there was a time when water monitors weren't laying eggs, so the King couldn't find his favorite snack.
A Clever Invention
A clever royal concubine named Waen (เจ้าจอมแว่น) decided to invent a new dessert to serve the King. She created these fried balls that looked similar to the eggs the King enjoyed. So, the dessert was first named khanom khai hia, meaning "water monitor egg snack," because it replaced the real eggs.
Why the Name Changed
Later on, the name was changed to khanom khai hong (swan-egg snack). This was because in Thai culture, the word "hia" (for water monitor) was sometimes linked to bad or unpleasant things. To give this delicious dessert a nicer image, it was renamed to the more beautiful "swan-egg snack," which is what we call it today.
Where to Find Khanom Khai Hong
Today, you can easily find khanom khai hong from street vendors and at food markets all over Thailand. It's a popular and affordable snack that many people enjoy as a sweet treat throughout the day.
