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Food

Thai Tea Culture — Beyond Cha Yen

Updated 2026 · Totally Bangkok

Thailand's tea traditions run deeper than the famous orange iced tea — herbal teas, chrysanthemum, and the new specialty scene.

Cha Yen basics

The ubiquitous orange Thai iced tea is brewed strong with spices (star anise, tamarind) and condensed milk — served in bags or cups, 20–40 THB from carts.

Chrysanthemum tea (Nam dok Buang)

A clear, slightly sweet flower tea served hot or cold — gentle, naturally caffeine-free, found at Chinese-Thai restaurants and street stalls.

Pandan leaf tea

Pale green tea brewed from pandan leaves — subtle, slightly grassy, naturally sweet; often served at Thai restaurants as a palate cleanser.

Specialty tea shops

A specialty tea wave has followed coffee's lead — Mariage Frères and TWG at high-end malls; local artisan tea shops in Ari and Thonglor.

Where to buy tea to take home

Chinatown herbal shops and Or Tor Kor Market sell loose-leaf and packaged Thai teas at far better prices than mall boutiques, and staff are generally happy to explain what each blend is for.

Hot vs iced

Most Thai teas can be ordered either way regardless of tradition — simply specify "ron" for hot or "yen" for iced when ordering, and vendors will adjust accordingly.

This guide is a starting point — we expand every guide with more detail, photos and maps as the site grows. Check the news board for what's new.
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