Boston Thai dessert mmm...

🍰 Maprang Bakery & Cafe: Somerville’s Thai Dessert Spot—Overhyped, But Maybe for You With a 4.9 Google rating, this Thai dessert cafe called to my sweet tooth and Thai food obsession. I had to try it—so off I went, ordering their signature Coconut Pandan Cake and Pandan Chiffon (pandan is my favorite Southeast Asian flavor, after all). 😐 The “Mehs” Coconut Pandan Cake: 🥥 First bite: That distinct Thai coconut milk flavor—strong, almost artificial, but exactly like the coconut pudding I had in Thailand. The top is creamy, the middle layer is a sticky, coconut-milk “pudding,” and the cake itself is fluffy but grainy (I’d bet on baking powder, amateur baker that I am). It’s like a cheap, sweet childhood cake—too cloying. My friend and I tapped out after two bites. Pandan Chiffon: 🧁 Similar to the coconut cake but less sweet. The bottom has a coconut custard-like layer, and the cake is light and airy—yet still grainy. It gets fast, too. ✨ The Verdict Too Sweet, Too Artificial: The coconut flavor leans “fake” (think ube extract—love it or hate it). I prefer subtler, natural coconut notes that don’t overwhelm. Comparison to Lady Wong (NYC): New York’s Lady Wong does Southeast Asian desserts better—more balanced, less cloying. Budget Score: 2.5/5. For the quality, it’s overpriced, especially given the artificial aftertaste. Maprang isn’t bad if you love bold, sweet, artificial coconut-pandan flavors. But for me? Disappointing. I’ll stick to NYC’s options. 📍 Maprang Bakery & Cafe 51 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143 #BostonDesserts #ThaiSweets #SomervilleEats