Ice Cream Boran, or "Ancient Ice Cream" at the Wat Saket Temple Fair, Bangkok, Thailand

Ice Cream Boran, or "Ancient Ice Cream"

in Bangkok, Thailand


When you think of carnival food, you might think of corn dogs, funnel cakes, and deep-fried Oreos. But if you happen to find yourself in Bangkok, Thailand around October, and if you happen to visit the beautiful Temple of the Golden Mount during its annual Temple Fair, you'll have the chance to try out lots of Thai-style carnival snacks.

old-fashioned "ancient ice cream" in Bangkok, Thailand
old-fashioned "ancient ice cream" in Bangkok, Thailand

What looks almost like a stick of butter is actually ice cream boran, or "ancient ice cream", a very traditional and old-style Thai desert that you can still find in old local markets, temple fairs, and at festivals around the country.

ancient ice cream cart at a Thai temple fair
ancient ice cream cart at a Thai temple fair

This traditional ice cream is made in rectangular molds and skewered with a popsicle stick. The ice cream is frozen in a simple ice cream shaker built into a street food cart. It is traditionally made with Thai dessert flavors such as durian, sweet black bean, or lemon, although nowadays it is also common to find flavors like green tea (matcha), coffee, or sweet corn (a very Thai flavor!).

Thai ice cream menu and prices
Thai ice cream menu and prices

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