Can I only buy it in season?
It is listed as Harvest listed May–September. The harvest period 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 skin and translucent flesh comes out in segments. Even though the name resembles longan, the shape and the feel of eating it are different. If you see the two fruits side by side at the market, you may want to buy a little of each and compare.
When is the best time to eat it?
Harvest listed May–September
Harvest periods differ by growing area
Tha Yong Mat longkong: harvest listed August–September
Use the main season, or the harvest period of a regional fruit, as a guide. Actual harvests can vary with the growing area, the variety and the weather.
What does it taste like?
You can notice both sweetness and tartness in the translucent flesh. For segments with a seed, take the seed out rather than chewing it.
Why this fruit is known in Thailand
There is fun in peeling small fruit from a bunch one by one. Tha Yong Mat longkong of Narathiwat in the south is known as a regional GI fruit, so it is a good one to learn about along with its growing area.
Basics to know before you buy
- Thai name
- ลองกอง
- Harvest period
- Harvest listed May–September
- Regional fruit
- Tha Yong Mat longkong: harvest listed August–September
- How to buy
- Longan and longkong are different fruits. If you order by looking at the name and the shape of the bunch together, it is easier to choose the fruit you want.
How to prepare and eat it
- Pull one fruit you want to eat off the bunch.
- Peel off the skin and eat the flesh.
- The seed can taste bitter, so take out any seeds you see and eat slowly.
Price reference
Bangkok retail prices · 14 October 2026
These are prices by variety and grade surveyed by Thailand's Department of Internal Trade. They do not apply at every street stall.
| Fruit and variety | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Longkong | 40–50 baht | 1 kg |
Look separately at the price of a bag or tray of cut fruit and the per-kg price of whole fruit. Bananas are priced per bunch in this survey.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare a per-kg price with a price per tray?
Longan and longkong are different fruits. If you order by looking at the name and the shape of the bunch together, it is easier to choose the fruit you want.
Keep exploring
Official sources
If you want to read more about the food and the regions behind it, these sources are a good next step. Ingredients and cooking methods can differ from one place to the next.