Taste the Rainbow

Meet Roti Sai Mai, pastel candyfloss wrapped in paper-thin crepes that are bound to take your tastebuds to heaven

Words: Sarita Urupongsa

With its pastel shades of pink and green, Thailand’s traditional candyfloss never fails to catch the eye. But when the air-spun silky threads of Sai Mai are wrapped in a soft crepe, you have an irresistibly delicious snack.

Roti Sai Mai comprises two delicious parts: thin crepes (Roti) made from salted wheat flour, milk, coconut milk and sesame, and the rainbow-coloured Sai Mai candyfloss. Just roll up a wad of the floss in the crepe, burrito style, and pop it into your mouth. How much of the filling you pack into the crepe is a matter of personal preference.

Better still, this traditional treat is now firmly back in fashion and more flavours are popping up. As well as the original plain-white or pandan-flavoured green crepes, taro, banana and strawberry flavoured ones are also available. And the choice of candyfloss has expanded from traditional pastel- green pandan to strawberry, blueberry, cocoa, orange, and banana to name a few.

For the best Roti Sai Mai, head to its home province of Ayutthaya, which is dotted with kiosks and shops serving up the authentic version of this sweet treat. Most of the well-known shops are located on U-Thong Road and the street in front of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital.

Roti Sai Mai has been named an indigenous product of Ayutthaya, earning the government’s OTOP stamp. The dessert has also caught the eye of Michelin Guide, which conferred the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand honour on the Roti Sai Mai Mae Pom shop in 2022. With a 39-year legacy, the shop is renowned for its enticing aroma of crepes infused with black and white sesame, along with the divine flavours of candyfloss spun from simmered natural sugar.