Coconut milk

santan / กะทิ kathi / nước cốt dừa

Flavor and role

A rich liquid pressed from grated coconut flesh, nutty and creamy. The thick layer at the top of the can is coconut cream.

Typical dishes and uses

Nasi lemak, green curry, laksa, tom kha gai, coconut desserts

Substitutes

400ml coconut milk = 200ml coconut cream + 200ml water. If coconut flavour is not needed, ½ double cream + ½ milk.

Storage

Unopened 1–2 years at room temperature. Once opened, transfer to another container: 3–4 days in the fridge, 2 months frozen (stir if it separates after thawing).

Main countries

Thailand · Malaysia · Indonesia

Used in this book

Nasi LemakBánh Xèo (Vietnamese Crispy Sizzling Crêpes)Fish Amok (Amok Trey)Thai Green Curry with Chicken (Gaeng Keow Wan)Khao SoiCurry LaksaMango Sticky Rice (Khao Niao Mamuang)Massaman CurryMoqueca baianaBeef rendangSri Lankan Chicken Curry (Kukul Mas Curry)Tom Kha GaiThai Red Curry Coconut AlbóndigasCrispy Mekong-Style Bánh Xèo with Mung Beans and Coconut CreamKimchi Bánh Xèo with Pork Belly and Gochujang Dipping SauceCrispy Bánh Xèo Shrimp Salad BowlCoconut Lemongrass Clam ChowderKhao Soi-Style Coconut Curry Dak-kalguksuThai Red Curry Coconut Dal with Lemongrass TadkaSilky Amok with Toasted Kroeung and Coconut CreamAmok Moules Marinière with BaguetteBaked Amok Fish Toasts with Lime MayoThai Red Curry Coconut FiskesuppeGado-Gado with Pressed Rice Cakes and Shrimp-Paste Peanut SauceCrispy Smashed Potato Gado-Gado PlatterGreen Curry with Hand-Pounded PasteGreen Curry Shrimp Spaghetti (Thai-Italian)Green Curry Fried Rice with Crispy Fried EggThai-Style Coconut Chicken and Squash CurryChiang Mai Khao Soi with Hand-Made PasteKhao Soi Curry UdonKhao Soi Fried RicePrawn-Head Stock Curry LaksaPrawn Laksa SpaghettiLaksa Butter Fried RicePandan Mango Sticky Rice with Crispy Mung BeansMango Coconut Dessert MakiCrispy Coconut Sticky Rice Cakes with Mango-Lime SalsaSlow-Braised Beef Shin Massaman with Whole SpicesMassaman Chicken Pot PieMassaman Chicken Loaded FriesThai Red Curry Coconut Lentil SoupFish and prawn moqueca with pirãoThai red curry moqueca with lemongrassShrimp moqueca rice bowl with dendê farofaThai Red Curry Coconut CouscousNasi Lemak with Spiced Fried Chicken (Ayam Goreng Berempah)Sambal Anchovy Coconut OnigiriSambal Fried Chicken Nasi Lemak BurgerTom Yum Seafood PaellaCoconut Panna Cotta with Lime MangoPandan Coconut Pastéis de NataMango Coconut Lime PavlovaPandan-Coconut Poffertjes with Palm Sugar SyrupTom Yum Shoyu Ramen with PrawnsPadang-style dry rendangRendang beef tacosCrispy rendang wingsTom Kha Coconut SamgyetangSatay Chicken Rice Bowl with Crispy ShallotsSoto Ayam RamenSri Lankan Black Chicken Curry with Toasted CoconutSri Lankan Coconut Chicken Curry UdonSri Lankan Curry Chicken Cheese Toastie with Pol SambolTom Yum Sundubu JjigaeTom Kha Gai with Quick Bone Stock and Charred AromaticsTom Kha Coconut Miso RamenTom Kha Creamy Chicken Rice BowlThai Coconut Lemongrass White Chicken Chili

Updated 2026-10-10