ลอดช่องกาแฟ

ลอดช่องกาแฟ — Thai Coffee Lod Chong Recipe for Beginners

Introduction

ลอดช่องกาแฟ (Lod Chong Kaafe) is a refreshing Thai dessert that combines silky coffee-flavored jelly noodles with creamy coconut milk and ice. This beginner-friendly recipe shows you how to make the coffee “noodles” at home using agar-agar (or grass jelly powder), then assemble a sweet, chilled treat perfect for hot days. If you love coffee and Thai desserts, ลอดช่องกาแฟ is an easy, fun recipe to try.

Ingredients for ลอดช่องกาแฟ

• 10 g agar-agar powder (or 12–15 g grass jelly powder / follow package if different)
• 800 ml water, divided (600 ml for jelly base + 200 ml for coffee concentrate)
• 3 tablespoons instant coffee (or 180 ml very strong brewed coffee)
• 100–120 g granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
• 400 ml canned coconut milk
• 2–3 tablespoons palm sugar or brown sugar (for coconut milk)
• Pinch of salt
• Ice cubes, as needed for serving
• Sweetened condensed milk, optional, for extra richness

Instructions for ลอดช่องกาแฟ

1. Make the coffee concentrate: Dissolve 3 tablespoons of instant coffee in 200 ml of hot water (or use 180–200 ml very strong brewed coffee). Set aside to keep warm.
2. Prepare the agar mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine 600 ml of water with the agar-agar powder and 100 g sugar. Stir well to dissolve the agar and sugar before applying heat.
3. Cook the agar base: Bring the agar mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring continuously so it doesn’t stick. Once it boils, simmer for 2–3 minutes until agar and sugar fully dissolve.
4. Add coffee: Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the warm coffee concentrate until evenly colored and smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed (add up to 20 g more sugar if you prefer sweeter noodles).
5. Set the jelly: Pour the coffee-agar mixture into a shallow tray (roughly 20 x 30 cm) to a depth of about 1–1.5 cm. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 30–60 minutes until fully set.
6. Form the “noodles”: Once set, turn the jelly out or keep in tray and press the jelly through a fine-holed sieve, noodle press, potato ricer, or a hand-held noodle maker into a bowl of iced water. This creates the characteristic ลอดช่องกาแฟ strands. Rinse gently in ice water to firm them up and remove excess starch/surface stickiness.
7. Make the sweet coconut milk: In a small saucepan, warm the canned coconut milk with 2–3 tablespoons palm sugar (or brown sugar) and a pinch of salt. Heat just until sugar dissolves—do not boil hard. Cool to room temperature or chill.
8. Assemble servings: Divide the coffee lod chong noodles among serving bowls or tall glasses. Add plenty of ice, pour over sweetened coconut milk, and drizzle a little sweetened condensed milk or extra coffee syrup if desired.
9. Serve immediately: ลอดช่องกาแฟ is best enjoyed cold, so serve right away for a refreshing dessert.

Cooking Tips for ลอดช่องกาแฟ

These practical tips will help your ลอดช่องกาแฟ turn out great every time:

• If you prefer a firmer noodle, increase agar-agar by 1–2 g or reduce water slightly. Grass jelly powder gives a softer, chewier texture similar to traditional lod chong.
• Press the set jelly into ice water to create clean, springy strands and to stop cooking. A fine-holed sieve or potato ricer works well for home cooks without specialized tools.
• Adjust sweetness: coconut milk and condensed milk add sweetness—start with less and allow diners to add more at the table.
• For extra aroma, add 1–2 pandan leaves to the coconut milk while warming, then remove before serving. It complements coffee without overpowering it.
• Make-ahead: Prepare the coffee jelly and chilled coconut milk a day ahead. Store jelly covered in the fridge and form noodles just before serving for best texture.

Nutritional Information for ลอดช่องกาแฟ (Approximate per serving)

Values are estimates and will vary by ingredients and portion size. Recipe yields about 4 servings.

• Calories: 220–320 kcal per serving (depends on condensed milk and sugar used)
• Carbohydrates: 35–50 g (mostly from sugar and coconut milk)
• Fat: 8–14 g (primarily from coconut milk)
• Protein: 1–3 g
• Sodium: Low to moderate, depending on added salt and canned coconut milk

Conclusion

ลอดช่องกาแฟ is an inviting twist on a classic Thai dessert—combining coffee flavor with the cooling creaminess of coconut milk. This beginner-friendly recipe guides you through making coffee jelly noodles and assembling a refreshing treat you can customize to taste. Try ลอดช่องกาแฟ at home for a deliciously different coffee dessert that’s perfect for entertaining or a special afternoon pick-me-up.