For food lovers who seek legendary and uniquely valuable treats, we invite you to head south to Khuan Don District, Satun Province, to discover an exceptional culinary experience.
This rare traditional snack, dubbed "Durian Donut" by the younger generation, is a local specialty that cannot be bought anytime because it is uniquely available only during the durian season—about three months a year.
This legendary delicacy is found at "Rom Lamyai Tea Shop" in Khuan Don Subdistrict, where Anthika Malinee, the fifth-generation heir, carries on the secret recipe passed down from her grandmother and mother. Counting back, this recipe has been preserved for a full 48 years.
What makes this snack a must-try is its use of a local ingredient—the native durian—which delivers a sweeter taste and more intense aroma than common commercial durian varieties. It is blended with sticky rice flour and wheat flour in a generous ratio—1 kilogram of flour to half a kilogram of rich durian flesh. When fried, it achieves the perfect texture: crispy outside, soft inside, and filled with a pervasive durian fragrance.
What truly makes this durian donut an unbeatable value is the price: Anthika sells 3 pieces for just 10 baht.Payingjust a ten-baht coin,you receivean abundant taste of genuine durian flesh. The reason this price is possible is that the durians used come from trees planted by ancestors, allowing generous amounts of durian in each donut to maintain the rich, traditional "tainan" flavor unique to southern Thailand. Locals know well that to enjoy the authentic taste, this shop is the place to queue.
Those wanting to experience this delicious and worthwhile treat should mark their calendars and plan their trip soon, as durian donuts are sold only during the native durian harvest season, expected to end by mid-August. Rom Lamyai Tea Shop fries fresh batches daily from early afternoon until evening. Missing this season means waiting until next year to enjoy this delight again.