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

Fish Amok (Amok Trey)Gado-GadoThai Green Curry with Chicken (Gaeng Keow Wan)Khao SoiMassaman CurryBeef rendangChicken Satay (Sate Ayam)Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)Tom Kha GaiThai Red Curry Coconut AlbóndigasThai Iced Tea BobaThai 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 FiskesuppeGado-Gado with Pressed Rice Cakes and Shrimp-Paste Peanut SauceGreen 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 Fried RicePrawn-Head Stock Curry LaksaHand-Chopped Larb Gai with Lemongrass Khao Khua and Crispy Chicken SkinPandan Mango Sticky Rice with Crispy Mung BeansSlow-Braised Beef Shin Massaman with Whole SpicesMassaman Chicken Pot PieMassaman Chicken Loaded FriesThai 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 BurgerHand-Chopped Pork Kra Pao with Crispy Fried BasilPad Thai Goong with Shrimp-Head OilPandan-Coconut Poffertjes with Palm Sugar SyrupTom Yum Shoyu Ramen with PrawnsPadang-style dry rendangCrispy rendang wingsCharcoal Sate Madura with Fried-Peanut SauceTam Thai with Grilled PrawnsSom Tam Chicken TacosSom Tam Summer RollsTom Yum Sundubu JjigaeTom 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 Chili

Updated 2026-10-10