Kalamare (Samui Coconut Caramel Candy)

Kalamare (also spelled galamae) is a traditional southern Thai sweet strongly associated with Koh Samui. It is a chewy, rich coconut caramel made by slowly stirring coconut milk, palm sugar and sticky rice flour in open woks for hours, then wrapping portions in palm leaves. The best-known place to see it made and sold fresh is the row of market stalls on the walkway to the Hin Ta Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother) rocks south of Lamai, where vendors often offer free tasting of fresh batches. Kalamare keeps well and travels easily, which is why it became the island's classic edible souvenir. Prices are low (small bundles, typically tens of baht). No individual vendor is recommended here; the stalls at Hin Ta Hin Yai as a group are the documented traditional location, and Kalamare also appears at other markets and souvenir shops around the island.

Where: Island-wide; famously at Hin Ta Hin Yai market stalls, Lamai

Map Reference

Market walkway to Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks, south Lamai; also at markets island-wide

Access

Sold at the Hin Ta Hin Yai walkway market, other markets and souvenir areas.

Paid access

Small bundles cost tens of baht

Opening hours

Stalls follow daylight/market hours

Entrance fee

None

Best time

Morning for fresh batches

Seasonality

Year-round

Accessibility

Walkway to the rocks is uneven

Parking

Paid parking at Hin Ta Hin Yai (~20-50 THB)

Transport

Scooter, car, taxi, songthaew to Lamai

Highlights

• Traditional open-wok production
• Free tasting often offered at Hin Ta Hin Yai stalls
• Classic edible souvenir of Samui

Local tips

• Fresh batches are softer and best
• Palm-leaf wrapped bundles travel well
• Free tasting is common at the Hin Ta Hin Yai walkway

Nearby public places

• Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks
• Lamai Beach

Frequently asked questions

What is Kalamare?

A chewy coconut caramel candy made from coconut milk, palm sugar and sticky rice flour, wrapped in palm leaves. It is Koh Samui's traditional sweet.

Where can I see Kalamare made?

The stalls on the walkway to the Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks south of Lamai are its traditional home, with fresh batches and often free tasting.

Does Kalamare travel well?

Yes, the palm-leaf-wrapped bundles keep well, which is why it is the island's classic edible souvenir.