The cookies of Asia

KARLA LEE

Discover a diverse range of delicious cookies packed with unique flavors, ranging from sweet ube crinkles to savory murukkus.

Kleicha (Iraq)

Main ingredients: dough, nuts, dates, sesame seeds

Kleicha is a fragile cookie loaded with nuts and a spread of date paste. The cookies can be shaped like crescents or full moons to represent the arrival of Spring. Most often, people eat Kleicha during special ceremonies, like weddings, or casually as dessert.

Almond Cookies (Hong Kong)

Main ingredients: almond flour, almond extract, butter, sugar, water

Each bite of a Chinese almond cookie comes with a burst of buttery almond flavor, suitable for those who prefer a sweet and simple cookie. Chinese almond cookies are often eaten during Chinese New Year and as snacks and desserts. Many people eat these cookies believing that it will bring good fortune. The cookies originated in Hong Kong but are also very popular in China.

IRAQ

INDIA

Ube Crinkles (Philippines)

Main ingredients: Purple yam, powdered sugar

Ube crinkles have crisp outer layers and soft, chewy centers, perfect for those who prefer sweet and mochi-like desserts. The cookies are usually eaten as desserts or snacks.

CHINA

THAILAND KOREA

PHILIPPINES

Dasik (Korea)

Main ingredients:

grains, sesame seeds, pine pollen, honey syrup

Dasik has a wide range of flavors, satisfying everyone’s taste buds. Some of the popular flavors are green tea, berry, chestnut, and black sesame seeds. The cookie takes no effort to bite into with its soft and chewy texture. Dasiks are decorated with flowers or Chinese characters that create meanings like long life, luck, health, and peacefulness.

Murukku (India)

Main ingredients: rice flour, black bean flour, oil, spice powder

Murukkus are crunchy, savory cookies with the flavor of butter and a mix of spices. They are usually eaten during festivals and snacks in Southern India.

Thong Muan (Thailand)

Main ingredients: wheat flour, sugar, eggs, shredded coconut, black sesame, coconut milk

Thong muan, also known as Golden Crispy Coconut Rolls, gives a mix of sweet and savory flavors from coconuts and coconut milk. The cookies are generally eaten as desserts and snacks. Many people give these cookies as gifts to wish wealth for that person.