The secret recipe, passed down through generations, uses carefully graded young coconut to achieve a crispy outside and soft inside texture. Daily production reaches 3,000 pieces, generating a monthly income of hundreds of thousands baht and sustainably benefiting the community.
When talking about famous souvenirs from Koh Yao Yai in Phang Nga Province, aside from the exquisite dried anchovies, another signature item that visitors must bring home is "Ba Bin cake" from Ja-Ri’s Soft Young Coconut Ba Bin shop, considered the original that has won the hearts of food enthusiasts for over two decades.
Mrs. Monthira Damnadee, known as Ja-Ri, the owner of this delicious Ba Bin recipe, revealed that the legacy began by inheriting and developing her mother’s recipe. She started by purchasing the formula to experiment and gradually refined it into the shop’s unique recipe.
The key to Ja-Ri’s Soft Young Coconut Ba Bin lies in selecting high-quality ingredients, including flour, sugar, coconut milk, and especially fresh young coconut in just the right amount. This creates a distinctive texture that is "crispy outside, soft inside," neither too hard nor too runny.
Currently, the popularity of Ja-Ri’s Ba Bin has expanded greatly, with daily production by order reaching 2,000-3,000 pieces. Besides the original young coconut flavor, the shop has introduced a new black sticky rice flavor, which has been warmly received by customers who enjoy its unique taste.
Economically, besides providing income for the family for over 26 years, the business also creates jobs and income for neighbors and nearby communities. Their customers include locals and traders from Phang Nga, Krabi, and Phuket provinces, who come to buy directly for resale.
For those interested in tasting this delicious treat, Ja-Ri’s Ba Bin is sold at an affordable price of 5 baht per piece or 50 baht for a 10-piece bag. The flavor balances sweetness and richness perfectly, with consistent quality in every piece, making it a prized specialty of Koh Yao District that keeps customers coming back.