It’s nicknamed the “vanilla of the East,” but over in the West, some people are only just now discovering its flavor and vibrant color (which could be easily mistaken for matcha in cakes and drinks). Pandan is an edible, leafy plant that grows like a weed in many Southeast Asian countries. As a result, it’s considered a staple ingredient in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Besides being in many kitchens, it’s even used as an air freshener in Asia, thanks to its earthy, floral scent (in case you needed inspo for your next fragrance purchase).
Pandan’s rising popularity
For those who have spent considerable time in Southeast Asia or who grew up in Asian households, pandan is nothing new, but for others, the ingredient has remained under the radar until recently. Now, pandan is popping up in cafes, doughnut shops, and other trendy spots. The New York Times even speculated it would become a “star ingredient” in 2025 in its trend predictions report.
Surprisingly — or perhaps unsurprisingly, given how common pandan already is in much of the world — the green plant has been called trendy by Western media since at least 2017. But it’s only now that it’s being given the star treatment across North America and Europe, used similarly to how matcha flavors have been used: in Instagrammable iced lattes, brightly colored cakes, ice cream, croissants, boba drinks, and more. Given how versatile pandan is, its nutty vanilla notes, and how vibrant it appears when added to foods, it makes sense that pandan is gaining attention around the world.
How pandan is traditionally used in Asian cooking
Adding pandan to desserts, drinks, and other dishes as is happening in the West isn’t so far off from how pandan has been traditionally used. From the Philippines to Singapore, it’s often used as a sweetener and flavor enhancer — plus it lends an eye-catching, mint-green hue to pastries. Pandan chiffon cake is one of the most iconic dishes containing the ingredient; just as pandan is gaining attention in the West, East Asian travelers are reportedly flocking to Singapore to try the local pandan chiffon cake sold at Bengawan Solo. Pandan is also in many other Southeast Asian sweets, from Malaysian kuih dadar (pandan coconut pancakes) to Indonesian klepon (sweet rice balls made with pandan).
Outside of sweets, pandan contributes a gently earthy flavor to savory dishes. It’s often used in the rice used for nasi lemak, for example. When prepared this way, pandan leaves are often cooked whole with the rice and removed before serving (the leaf itself isn’t usually consumed). In the Philippines, chicken is wrapped in pandan before being cooked and eaten (again, with the leaf eventually removed). Spend some time traveling around Southeast Asia or sampling foods from the region and you’ll realize the ingredient is used in countless other recipes too.
The health benefits of pandan
Similar to how its similarly colored counterpart, green tea, is pretty and loaded with healthy properties, pandan might be good for you, besides just being eye-catching. It contains vitamins and antioxidants, which may help boost immunity and protect your cells from damage.1 The antioxidants in pandan may also support heart health and help prevent cardiovascular disease.
There’s also evidence that pandan could help keep blood sugar levels in check. A 2015 study found that research participants who drank pandan tea after eating experienced lower glucose spikes compared to those who drank plain water. Though more research is needed, the findings suggest that eating pandan during or after a meal could help stabilize blood sugar, which may help prevent diabetes and other health conditions.
How pandan newbies can try the trend
If you’re curious about “Asia’s vanilla” but haven’t tried it yet, the good news is it’s getting easier to find the Kermit-colored ingredient around the world. In big cities in particular, coffee shops, bakeries, and restaurants are serving more and more pandan goodies on their menus. But if you don’t know a local spot selling pandan doughnuts or pandan bubble tea, you can also head to your local Asian market. There, you’ll likely find pandan leaves, pandan extract (typically in liquid form), and, if you’re lucky, chilled pandan cakes and packaged pandan treats.
