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Easy Coconut Tapioca Dessert – My Favorite 20-Minute Sweet Treat 椰香西米露

Updated: May 21, 2025 · Published: Apr 20, 2025 by bonnie.yveskitchen · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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There’s something comforting about a bowl of warm Coconut & Tapioca Sweet Dessert.

Coconut & Tapioca sweet dessert in a glass with spoon

It brings back memories of quiet evenings at home — the soft, chewy tapioca pearls floating in fragrant coconut milk, sometimes with a sweet surprise like corn kernels hidden inside. This Thai-style sweet soup has been a favorite in my family for years, especially on cooler days when we crave something warm and soothing. Best of all, it only takes around 20 minutes to make, using pantry-friendly ingredients like canned sweet corn and coconut milk.

Jump to Sections

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  • What is Tapioca?
  • How to cook Tapioca Pearls?
  • Variations
  • Yves Tips~
  • Coconut & Tapioca Sweet Dessert | 泰式粟米西米露
    • Ingredients  
    • Instructions 
    • Video
    • Notes
  • Fun Facts about Sago / Tapioca

What is Tapioca?

Tapioca pearls are small, chewy balls made from cassava starch. They’re naturally gluten-free and commonly used in Asian desserts and bubble tea. When cooked, they become translucent and slightly springy in texture. If you’ve never tried them before, this dessert is the perfect way to start — cozy, sweet, and easy to love.

Tapioca Pearl / Sago (西米)

How to cook Tapioca Pearls?

For a visual step-by-step, check out my video tutorial here: Watch the full recipe on YouTube

Variations

You can your favourite ingredients, like Taro, Peach, Mango...etc

Yves Tips~

  • When the tapioca turns semi-transparent, turn off the heat and let it sit covered — the residual heat will finish the job.
  • For a chewier texture, rinse the cooked tapioca in cold water before adding it to the dessert or drink.

This recipe card includes both English and Chinese for the ingredients and steps — thoughtfully designed to support both international readers and Chinese-speaking home cooks.

Coconut & Tapioca Sweet dessert in a glass with spoon

Coconut & Tapioca Sweet Dessert | 泰式粟米西米露

bonnie.yveskitchen
There’s something comforting about a bowl of warm coconut tapioca dessert. It brings back memories of quiet evenings at home — the soft, chewy tapioca pearls floating in fragrant coconut milk, sometimes with a sweet surprise like corn kernels hidden inside. This Thai-style sweet soup has been a favorite in my family for years, especially on cooler days when we crave something warm and soothing. Best of all, it only takes around 20 minutes to make, using pantry-friendly ingredients like canned sweet corn and coconut milk.
有些甜品,就是讓人一口就回到家的味道。椰香四溢的西米露,滑溜溜的口感裡藏著甜粟米的小驚喜,是我家常備的暖心甜品。尤其在英國這種寒冷又潮濕的天氣裡,來一碗熱騰騰的椰奶西米露,整個人都暖起來了。這款泰式粟米西米露,不用二十分鐘就能完成,材料也簡單,用的是椰奶和罐頭甜粟米,有時候還會加點南瓜、芋頭或香蕉,變化出不同的風味。
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 28 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Thai
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

Ingredients

  • 100 g Tapioca
  • 300 ml Water
  • 60 g Sweet corn
  • 350 ml Coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoon Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Salt

材料

  • 西米 100克
  • 水 300毫升
  • 甜粟米 60克
  • 椰奶 350毫升
  • 糖 2湯匙
  • 鹽 1茶匙

Instructions
 

Instructions

  • Add the tapioca into hot water. Do not stir in the beginning.
  • Keep stirring while cooking until the outer layer turns transparent. Then cover with lid and cook with residual heat for 6–8 minutes.
  • Add in sweet corn and coconut milk. Heat slowly without bringing to a boil.
  • Season with sugar and salt. Serve hot

做法

  • 水煮至起蝦眼,加入西米,期間不要攪拌。
  • 西米煮至外圍透明,中間仍有白點,即可關火、上蓋焗6–8分鐘。
  • 加入粟米及椰奶,慢慢煮熱(不要沸騰)。
  • 以糖及鹽調味,趁熱享用。

Video

Notes

Yves Tips~ 
  • When the tapioca turns semi-transparent, turn off the heat and let it sit covered — the residual heat will finish the job.  煮西米的技巧:煮至半透明時關火,用餘溫焗至全透明即可。
  • For a chewier texture, rinse the cooked tapioca in cold water before adding it to the dessert or drink.  想西米更彈牙爽口,可將煮熟的西米過冷河後,再加入預備好的飲品或甜湯中。
Keyword coconut & tapioca sweet dessert, 西米露

Fun Facts about Sago / Tapioca

Is sago the same as tapioca?
Not quite. While they look similar, sago is made from the starch of sago palms, whereas tapioca comes from cassava. In many Asian desserts, especially traditional Hong Kong tong sui (糖水), sago is preferred for its lighter texture.

👉 Learn more about sago on Wikipedia

Let me know if you try this recipe — tag @bonnieyveskitchen or leave a comment below!

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Yves Kitchen, Bonnie Yves

Hi, I'm Bonnie

I cook, write & preserve food traditions between cultures,
from a Thai village to my tenement kitchen in Edinburgh.

Silver Award Winner . World Marmalade Awards 2026

Bonnie's Story

Lastest Posts

  • 椰汁西米糕
    椰汁西米糕 | Coconut Sago Pudding(附斑蘭葉盒摺法)
  • 煮薯粉
    潮州煮薯粉|阿嬤留下的一碗粉(附食譜)
  • 泰式魚餅 Thai Fried Fish Cake (Tod Man Pla)
    泰式魚餅 Thai Fried Fish Cake (Tod Man Pla)
  • 羅望子雞翼
    Thai Tamarind Chicken Wings Recipe | 羅望子雞翼食譜

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