Can I not buy it out of season?
It is listed as Listed season May–Sep. The season can differ by growing area and variety. The calendar does not guarantee that the fruit is on sale on any given day.
Longkong
Longkong · ลองกอง
Meet longkong, small brownish fruit that hang in bunches. Peel the thin rind and translucent flesh comes out in segments. Even though the name is similar to longan, the shape and the way it eats are different. If you saw the two fruits side by side at a market, you could buy a little of each and compare.
When is the best time to eat it?
Listed season May–Sep
The season differs by growing area
Tan Yong Mat longkong: season listed as Aug–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?
You can feel sweetness and some sourness in the translucent flesh. For a segment that has a seed, take the seed out instead of chewing it.
Why this fruit is known in Thailand
There is fun in peeling small fruit from the bunch one at a time. The Tan Yong Mat longkong of Narathiwat in the south is known as a regional GI fruit, so it is good to learn about it with its growing area.
Basics to know before you buy
- Thai name
- ลองกอง
- Season
- Listed season May–Sep
- Regional fruit
- Tan Yong Mat longkong: season listed as Aug–Sep
- How it is sold
- Longan and longkong are different fruits. If you order by looking at both the name and the look of the bunch, it is easy to get the fruit you want.
How to peel and eat it
- Pull off one fruit from the bunch to eat.
- Peel the rind and take out the flesh to eat.
- The seed can taste bitter, so eat slowly and take out any seed you can see.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Longkong | 40–50 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?
Longan and longkong are different fruits. If you order by looking at both the name and the look of the bunch, it is easy to get the fruit you want.
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.