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Namkhaeng sai (Thai: น้ำแข็งไส, pronounced [nám.kʰɛ̌ŋ sǎj]) is a Thai dessert version of shaved ice or snow cone. It is also known as wan yen (หวานเย็น, pronounced [wǎːn jēn]).[1] In the Thai version the toppings (mixings) are at the bottom. There are between 20-30 varieties of mixings used, among them are young coconut that has been soaked in coconut milk, black sticky rice, chestnuts, sweetened taro, red beans, cheng-sim-ee (special flour that is very chewy and slippery).

Namkhaeng sai

Alternative names	Wan yen
Type	Shaved ice or snow cone
Place of origin	Thailand

History

During the reign of King Rama IV (Mongkut) of Siam, ice was imported, leading to the invention of NamKhaeng Sai later on. Ice was sent from Singapore, packaged inside a wooden box and transported by water on the steamboat named “Chao Phraya”. Chao Phraya Pisont Sombut Boriboon (Yim Pisombut), titled Phra Phasee Sombut Boriboon, issued the ice order which was considered exotic at that time. Siam Ice Factory also known as Nai Lert Ice Factory In 1905, the first ice factory in Thailand was founded by Phraya Bhakdi Noraset (Lert Sreshthaputra) at Saphan Lek, Charoen Krung Road. It was named “Siam Ice Factory” ; people also called it “Nai Lert Ice Factory” which later on spread to cities around Bangkok. Ice was then adapted for use in desserts such as Kanom Lod Chong, Thai cantaloupe cake, Sarim, Tabtim krob, Taro and became “Kanom Namkhaeng Sai”.

First Namkhaeng Sai originated from Chinese in  Phetchaburi province, combining shaved ice with Patongo and red sweet syrup. Later in 1947, condensed milk was very popular and became one of the ingredients that were poured on top of Namkhaeng Sai, which at that time was called “ Chum Ba”. There are two reasons for its name, first is that Namkhaeng Sai looks similar to the breast shape and clothing color of “Chum Ba” erotic dancer.[2] The second reason is the distortion of the Teochew Chinese word “Jum Ba” for its vague pronunciation.

Nowadays, Chum Ba is modified to have diverse ingredients and make it more savory and valuable. Many restaurants still use bread in Namkhaeng Sai but some may use cheesecake or brownies. Additionally, not only has red sweet syrup been used but also juice, tea, coffee, chocolate powder, or milk. Decorated with toppings such as fresh fruits, candied fruits, grain, jelly, crackers, cereal, and others according to each restaurant's idea. The dessert can easily be found in shopping malls, local markets, or street stalls. It is still one of the most popular cool-down desserts for everyone to date.[3]

Recipes

It doesn’t have a particular ingredient. It usually depends on personal preference. These are some base ingredients that people usually use in Namkhaeng Sai

Sauce	Toppings
Sweet Syrup Syrup Condensed Milk Milk Juice Coffee Tea	Bread Grass Jelly TubTim Krob Salim Sticky Rice Coconut jelly Cereal Cane Sugar Cocoa Powder Chocolate Bar Chocolate Powder Tea Powder Rainbow Sprinkles Brownie Cheesecake Oreo Taro Fresh Fruits Candied Fruits Grain Crackers Biscuit Stick Lod Chong Gingko

Instructions

1.Shaved ice by hand or using a shaved ice machine

2.Cut the toppings into bite-sized pieces.

3.Pour the sauce and Finish.

Varieties

There are some other desserts that are similar to Namkhaeng Sai. Some desserts are Namkhaeng Sai but in different countries with adding extra ingredients. Moreover, there are some desserts that using ice at base that are likely Namkhaeng Sai.

Other Desserts

There are other desserts that have ice as base ingredient. Here are some examples of Thai desserts

1. Fruity granitas
2. Tubtim Krob
3. Salim
4. Lod Chong
5. Som Chun
6. Mee Yen
7. Mun Duey Tua
8. O-Aew-Aiyu Jelly[4]

Other Countries

In other countries, There also have the dessert that are similar to Namkhaeng Sai. For an example:

Japan: Kakigori

Kakigori is a Japanese shaved ice that ranges from an ice with fruit syrup refresher until a well-refined topped dessert with condensed milk, Azuki bean and Dango Mochi.

Taiwan: Tshuah-Ping

Tshuah-Ping, Tsua Bing or Baobing, is a Taiwanese shaved ice that is celebrated for juicy toppings. The toppings could be sugar water, condensed milk or seasonal fruit.

There is a classic one, Xuehua Bing, where the shaved ice is based from frozen milk, mung beans and grass jelly.

South Korean: Bingsu

Bingsu or Bingsoo, is a Korean shaved ice that is also popular in Thailand. The differences between Bingsu and Kakigori are the base and toppings. Bingsu uses milk to create shaved ice but Kakigori uses water. The toppings of Bingsu typically offer a chunky topping such as popping boba, chopped boba and more.

Philippines: Halo-Halo

There are many ice desserts in the Philippines but the most famous is Halo-Halo. Halo-Halo, or Mix-Mix translated to English, is a Filipino shaved ice that is iconically served in clear tall glass which shows every layer and texture .  

India: Ice Gola

Ice Golda is an Indian shaved ice that is ultimately portable for street dessert. It’s a simple shaved ice covered with sugar syrup served on a stick similar to shaved ice in the United States. It has several names such as Gola, Baraf Gola, Chuski, Ice Lolly, Mumbai’s Slurpee

Indonesia: Es Campur

Es Campur, Mixed ice translated to English, is a Indonesian shaved ice that similar to Bingsu or Halo halo in its “elaborate“ toppings

Turkey: Bici Bici

Bici Bici has starch and rose water as a special ingredient. Starch mixing with water is used as a base for shaved ice and rose water for flavoring. The top of bici bici is sprinkled with sugar.[5]

Cultural References

In Thailand, Namkhaeng Sai perfectly correlates to how people perceive the weather, eating behavior, street food culture, childhood beliefs and lifestyle, or different opinions on the topic between generations.

Weather & Temperature

Namkhaeng Sai is said to be one of the desserts of choice to suppress smell from food and also to quench one’s thirst. Aligning with Thailand’s all-year-long hot weather, it is perfect for relieving the situation. In the recent past, in country areas or streets in cities, children who went home from school usually stopped by small shops selling ice cream or shaved ice to cool the heat off.[6]

Shows

For Namkhaeng Sai, the name itself was once “Chum Ba”, related to shows with the same name, “Chum Ba Erotic Dancing”. This show was very popular in the 1950s and is often held during temple fairs, where adults gather and watch the dance.  The show is straightforward, female dancers will wear flashy, revealing clothes and dance on the stage. During the show, movements primarily involve flashing their genitals and shaking their breasts left and right to arouse audiences.

When vendors sell Namkhaeng Sai in these fairs where there is Chum Ba show, people who buy Namkhaeng Sai would relate its bulging shape with the dancers’ breasts. Red colored syrup poured on top adds to the imagination as it resembles a flashy dress color worn by dancers. Furthermore, an action of “sprinkling” milk sounds and looks close to “shaking”, adding yet another naughty thought to relate Namkhaeng Sai with Chum Ba dance.[7]

See also

• Shaved ice § Regions, for similar shaved ice variations around the world.
• Kakigōri: Japanese shaved ice
• Bingsu: Korean shaved ice
• Tshuah-ping: Taiwanese shaved ice
• Halo-halo: Filipino shaved ice (derived from Japanese Kakigori)
• Es campur and Es teler: Indonesian shaved ice
• O-aew: another Thai shaved ice, albeit with different ingredients
• Ais Kacang (ABC): Malaysian shaved ice
• Grattachecca: Italian shaved ice popular in Rome.
• Hawaiian shave ice: Hawaiian shaved ice

References

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