03/26/2026
It’s green, delicate & fragrant, and it feels like home 🇮🇩
If there’s one thing I grew up around/eating but never really thought about, it’s pandan.
It was always there, in homecooked meals, in street food, in drinks, both sweet and savory dishes. I never thought much of it because it was just…there.
Only now do I realize how much of that quiet, familiar flavor carries memories of my childhood and home.
Often called the vanilla of Southeast Asia, pandan leaves have been used for decades as a natural flavoring and coloring in many traditional dishes and sweets. Thanks to the tropical climate, they grow abundantly, making them a more accessible and economical alternative to vanilla.
Here’s a carousel of photos I took during my visits home, traditional sweet infused with fragrant pandan. While they may look intricate, they’re often made with simple ingredients and minimal equipment. Many are steamed or cooked over a stovetop, as ovens were once uncommon and often too costly for many households. Still, these techniques and recipes have been lovingly passed down through generations.
All of this inspired our Pandan Coconut. To those who’ve tried and enjoyed it, that makes me really happy, And if you haven’t yet, it’ll be available again this weekend and hope you give it a try!
See you this Friday at 8 am & Saturday at 9 am.
