Can I not buy it out of season?
It is listed as Main season Jun–Aug. It is available all year round, but quantity and price can change with the season and variety. The calendar does not guarantee that the fruit is on sale on any given day.
Longan
Longan · ลำไย
If you are curious about the fruit of Chiang Mai and the north, try longan. It is a small fruit with translucent flesh and a black stone inside a thin brown rind. Peel and eat them one at a time to enjoy the sweet taste. Dried longan and fresh fruit differ in texture, so you can taste the fresh fruit first.
Thai fruit 220215 Longan ลำไย 002 · Mattis · CC BY-SA 4.0
Resized for display · Photo provided under CC BY-SA 4.0
When is the best time to eat it?
Main season Jun–Aug
Listed as available all year round
Biao Kiao longan of Lamphun: season listed as Jul–Sep
Use the main season, or the season of a regional fruit, as a guide. Actual availability can vary with growing area, variety and weather.
What does it taste like?
The flesh is sweet, and the aroma differs with variety. There is a black stone inside the white flesh, so you take out the stone as you eat.
Why this fruit is known in Thailand
It is a fruit that is easy to learn about in connection with northern Thailand. The Biao Kiao longan of Lamphun is introduced as a regional GI fruit, and the fruit is enjoyed dried as well as fresh.
Basics to know before you buy
- Thai name
- ลำไย
- Season
- Main season Jun–Aug
- Regional fruit
- Biao Kiao longan of Lamphun: season listed as Jul–Sep
- How it is sold
- Look at whether it is sold as a bunch including the stalks or as loose fruit. If you choose by the variety and weight on the price tag, it is easy to compare.
How to peel and eat it
- Make a slit in the rind and peel it by hand.
- Take out the black stone when you eat the flesh.
- If you also want to buy a dried product, look at its price and pack weight separately from fresh fruit.
Price reference
Bangkok retail prices · 14 October 2026
These are prices by variety and grade surveyed by Thailand's Department of Internal Trade. Not every street seller charges the same price.
| Fruit and variety | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Longan · E-daw (อีดอ) | 50–60 baht | 1 kg |
Keep the price of a cut-fruit bag or tub separate from the per-kg price of whole fruit. In this survey, bananas are priced per bunch.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare a per-kg price with a per-pack price?
Look at whether it is sold as a bunch including the stalks or as loose fruit. If you choose by the variety and weight on the price tag, it is easy to compare.
Keep exploring
Official sources and references
If you want to read more about these dishes and regions, these sources are a good place to start. Ingredients and cooking methods can differ from one eatery to another.
Sharing image credit: Mattis · CC BY-SA 4.0