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Thali
ขนมทองหยอด

Thong yot

In its own language: ทองหยอด

Sweet golden drops made from egg yolks, flour and sugar

Photo: Praewdu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Thong yot is a sweet from Thailand shaped into small golden drops using egg yolks, flour and sugar. It was created by Maria Guyomar de Pinha during the Ayutthaya period, drawing on a Portuguese dessert. Thong yot is often served at weddings and other important ceremonies as a symbol of prosperity.

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  • Thong yot is one of Thailand's nine auspicious desserts
  • It was adapted from a Portuguese sweet by Maria Guyomar de Pinha
  • Made with egg yolks, flour and sugar
  • Given at weddings to wish wealth and luck

What is Thong yot?

Thong yot is a Thai sweet made by shaping a mixture of egg yolks, flour and sugar into small, round drops. These drops are golden in color and have a glossy, smooth surface. The dessert is known for its rich, sweet taste and soft texture. Its appearance and name both refer to gold, which is considered a sign of luck and wealth in Thai culture.

Where does Thong yot come from?

Thong yot traces its roots to Portugal, where a similar dessert called ovos moles de Aveiro is made. The recipe was brought to Thailand by Maria Guyomar de Pinha, who worked in the royal kitchens during King Narai's reign in Ayutthaya. She adapted the Portuguese treat to local tastes, and it became part of the group of nine auspicious Thai desserts, valued for their symbolism and beauty.

How is Thong yot made?

To make thong yot, egg yolks are blended with flour and sugar to form a smooth batter. Small portions of this mixture are then dropped into hot syrup, where they cook and take on their characteristic round shape. The drops are removed once set and allowed to cool, resulting in a sweet with a delicate, glossy finish.

How and when is Thong yot eaten?

Thong yot is typically enjoyed as a snack or dessert, especially during important celebrations. It is often served at weddings and festive gatherings, where it is given as a wish for wealth and good fortune. The sweet is usually presented alongside other traditional Thai desserts that share similar meanings.

Kinds of Thong yot

Thong yot belongs to a family of Thai sweets that also includes thong yip, thong ek and foi thong, all of which use egg yolks and sugar but differ in shape and preparation. While the basic ingredients remain the same, each dessert has its own distinct form and symbolic meaning.

What Thong yot means

Thong yot is one of nine desserts considered auspicious in Thailand, and it plays a role in ceremonies marking new beginnings, such as weddings. Its golden color and round shape are seen as symbols of prosperity and the sharing of good fortune. The dessert is regarded as a culinary treasure and a link to both Thai and Portuguese heritage.

Questions people ask about Thong yot

What is thong yot made of?

Thong yot is made using egg yolks, flour and sugar, which are combined and cooked into small golden drops.

Where does thong yot come from?

Thong yot is a Thai dessert with origins in Portugal. It was adapted from a Portuguese sweet by Maria Guyomar de Pinha during the Ayutthaya period.

When is thong yot usually eaten?

Thong yot is commonly served at weddings and festive occasions, where it symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.

What does thong yot look like?

Thong yot is shaped into small, round drops with a shiny golden color, reflecting its association with gold and wealth.

Is thong yot vegetarian?

Thong yot is vegetarian, as it contains egg yolks, flour and sugar, but no meat or fish.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Thong yot", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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