Coconut water

nước dừa / น้ำมะพร้าว nam maphrao

Flavor and role: The clear liquid inside young coconuts, mildly sweet and nutty. Reduced, it gives natural sweetness and a glossy finish.
Typical dishes and uses: Vietnamese thit kho (braised pork), ca kho (braised fish), drinks
Substitutes: 250ml coconut water = 250ml water + 1 tsp sugar (or the same amount of Sprite, as in Vietnamese home cooking).
Storage: Unopened at room temperature until the best-before date. Opened 2–3 days in the fridge.
Main countries: Thailand · Vietnam · Philippines
Used in this book: Thit Kho (Vietnamese Caramel Pork and Eggs)Crispy Mekong-Style Bánh Xèo with Mung Beans and Coconut Cream Charcoal Cơm Tấm Sườn Chả with Steamed Egg Meatloaf Coconut-Poached Pork and Tiger Prawn Summer Rolls Thit Kho To (Clay-Pot Caramel Pork Belly with Pickled Bean Sprouts)Thit Kho Ramen (Caramel Pork Belly and Jammy Eggs)Caramel Pork and Egg Mayo Toast

Updated 2026-10-10