The dark, sweet, chicory-blended coffee that Thais drank before espresso arrived — still ubiquitous and genuinely delicious.
Oliang is brewed from a blend of coffee, chicory, corn, and sometimes soybeans — stronger and more bitter than Western coffee; served ice-cold with condensed milk or black.
A cloth filter sock hung on a frame; hot water poured through; the concentrated brew poured over ice in a plastic bag or cup — the bag-with-straw is iconic.
Oliang is 20–40 THB from carts; specialty coffee is 80–180 THB at cafes — both excellent but completely different experiences.
Street carts throughout Bangkok, especially near markets and in residential areas; morning is peak oliang time; many lunch spots also serve it.
Oliang (black iced), Oliang Nom (with milk), Cha Yen (Thai iced tea), Nom Yen (pink milk), Kafae Boran (traditional coffee with condensed milk).
