Nom yen facts for kids
Nom yen is a super popular and yummy pink drink from Thailand! It's made from a special syrup and milk, and it's usually served cold. The name 'Nom yen' actually means 'cold milk' in Thai – 'nom' means milk, and 'yen' means cold. It's a refreshing treat that many people in Thailand love to enjoy.
What is Nom Yen?
Nom yen is a delicious drink that gets its unique pink color from a special syrup, often made from a fruit called sala. This syrup is mixed with milk to create the sweet and creamy drink.
There are a few different kinds of milk that can be used to make Nom yen:
- Nom sot is fresh milk, just like the milk you might drink at home.
- Nom thammada is regular condensed milk. This milk is thicker than fresh milk because some of the water has been removed.
- Nom khon wan is sweetened condensed milk. This is also thick, but it has sugar added, making it extra sweet and creamy.
Nom yen can be enjoyed in two main ways:
- Iced: This is a cold drink served over ice, perfect for a hot day.
- Frappe: This style is blended with ice, making it thick and slushy, similar to a milkshake or a smoothie.
Where Can You Find Nom Yen?
You can find Nom yen almost everywhere in Thailand! It's a very common drink sold by street vendors, who often have small carts or stalls. It's also available in cafes and restaurants.
The price of Nom yen can change depending on where you buy it. From a street vendor, it might cost around 15 to 25 Thai Baht (THB). If you buy it at a cafe, especially with a pastry or snack, it might cost a bit more, usually between 30 to 60 THB.
Nom Yen's Sweet Cousin: Namkhaeng Sai
Sometimes, Thai people also make a sweet dessert from the same ingredients used in Nom yen. This dessert is called namkhaeng sai, and it's like a frozen version of Nom yen.
The ingredients for namkhaeng sai are very similar to those for Nom yen, but instead of being an iced drink, it's a frozen dessert. Think of it like a homemade shaved ice treat with the same yummy pink syrup and milk flavors. Many Thai families enjoy making namkhaeng sai at home because it's easy to prepare, and all the ingredients are simple to find in local markets.
