What is Nom Plae Ai?
Nom Plae Ai are delightful Khmer sweets — soft, chewy balls made from tapioca flour and filled with a liquid center of melted palm sugar. They're rolled in freshly grated coconut, which adds a subtle sweetness and texture. When you bite into one, the warm palm sugar flows out in a burst of caramel sweetness. They're traditionally served as a dessert or afternoon snack.
- Price range: $0.50–1
- Spice level: No spice
- Best cities to try it: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang
- Eat carefully — the liquid palm sugar center is hot! The contrast of chewy exterior and liquid interior is magical.
Nom Plae Ai
$0.50–1នំប៉្លែអាយ
Nom Plae Ai are delightful Khmer sweets — soft, chewy balls made from tapioca flour and filled with a liquid center of melted palm sugar. They're rolled in freshly grated coconut, which adds a subtle sweetness and texture. When you bite into one, the warm palm sugar flows out in a burst of caramel sweetness. They're traditionally served as a dessert or afternoon snack.
Key Ingredients
- tapioca flour
- palm sugar
- grated coconut
- pandan leaf
Where to Find
- markets
- dessert stalls
- festivals
Best Cities
Dietary Information
Insider Tip
Eat carefully — the liquid palm sugar center is hot! The contrast of chewy exterior and liquid interior is magical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Cambodia Travel Updates
Visa changes, travel tips, and destination guides delivered to your inbox.
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.