South Asian sweets, affectionately known as mithai (India and Pakistan), or misthi (Bangladesh), actually hold deep cultural, emotional, and sensory significance. They aren’t just for the sweet tooth — they are tied to traditions and rituals across various regions in the Indian subcontinent. Some offer mithai as a representation of joy, blessings, and even good fortune, whereas others just sweeten the deal (pun intended) to complete a meal.
Be it someone’s birth, passing exams, engagement, or simply hosting guests at home, there is something so warm and welcoming about the rich use of milk, ghee, sugar, nuts, and spices that not only tantalise the taste buds but also remind us of the comforts of home.
For the upcoming holiday period, such as Diwali, we’ve curated a selection of sweets rooted in tradition and infused with contemporary twists — an ideal blend for creating new memories while staying true to our desi identity. And of course, never forgetting how mouthwatering and delicious they are.
Marigold’s (@marigold.delights) Diwali collection brings together traditional favourites with newer creations for a modern twist. The classics include Besan ladoo made with pure A2 ghee, Motichoor ladoo crafted from tiny saffron pearls, and Daal halwa made from slow-cooked lentils.
Alongside these familiar flavours are new creations designed to surprise. Chef Garima Arora’s (@arorgarima) favourite, Dulce rasmalai, blends soft chenna spiked with VALRHONA milk chocolate for a toffee-like taste.
Honey Boo Boo, a take on the traditional Kheer Kadam, has a filling of wild honey and walnuts on the inside and toasted coconut on the outside. The Dream Girl pairs Indian pistachio with Madagascar vanilla, bringing together Indian and international flavours in one sweet bite.
The Peda arrives with two twists: caramelised pecan and homemade Nutella, both offering fresh takes on a classic. For a healthier choice, the Dates & Nuts Bite delivers natural sweetness with organic nuts, proving that festive treats can be guilt-free as well.
Marigold’s Diwali collection bridges tradition and creativity, keeping mithai rooted in memory while opening an array of new flavours you never knew you craved.
Tapori (@taporibkk) is taking a more traditional route, serving Motichoor ladoos, often flavoured with cardamom and saffron, and at times incorporating nuts and seeds, rolled up into round balls that you can’t get enough of.
Their Kaju Katli — finely powdered cashews, dipped in sugar syrup, and touched by the divinity of ghee — is a diamond-shaped sweet treat of brilliance. There’s also a taste from the North-eastern parts of the region with Pistachio Rolls (Kaju Pista) — a traditional Diwali sweet that is both satisfyingly dense and nutty, usually dabbed with the perfume of cardamom and rosewater.
Rounding up the sweet deal is the tried and trusted Nankhatai. Soft and crumbly, these fluffy bites are cardamom-spiced biscuits that make the ideal companion to a cup of garam chai!
There’s a slew of sweets to be had at Saras (@sarasvegfood), offering a variety of gift hampers of standard or premium mixed mithai, rows of ladoos, or simply an assortment of Sandesh, Barfis, Bengali sweets, dry fruit sweets, halwas, khoya sweets, and more.
Choose from trays of different sizes, where you can gift a collection of premium mithai consisting of Rose Badaam Ladoo, Matka Kaju, Kaju Katli, and Pista Ladoo.
Boxed celebrations can also be found at Punjab Sweets (@punjabsweetsbangkok) — more of a traditional affair with a bit of everything, from the premium cashew sweet with a royal saffron touch on Kesar Kaju to the silky, saffron-soaked goodness of the Rasmalai.
The pure vegetarian establishment delivers on the sweeter side of things, found in the warmth of the soft and juicy bite of the Gulab Jamun or the fluffy and moist Milk Cake.
Celebrations become slightly easier when flavourful bursts meet convenience and availability — making every occasion just a little sweeter.