The truth of life and the world is that as time passes, everything must change, especially restaurants that have been around for decades and have been passed down through generations.

My first encounter with the renowned sticky rice and mango dessert from Mae Nong Nooch in Hua Hin was over 20 years ago. During a visit to relatives in Cha-am, they took me on a trip to Hua Hin. However, at that time, I primarily knew the establishment as "Khao Niao Mamuang Mee Chai," due to the prominent "Mee Chai" signage on the awning.

As time passed and I grew older, I had the opportunity to drive to Hua Hin on my own several times. On almost every trip, I would try to stop by this mango sticky rice shop and buy some bread from The Baguette, a French bakery nearby. The two shops are not far apart, but I usually ended up only buying bread. I often missed out on the mango sticky rice because there was no parking near the shop or they didn't have ripe mangoes that day. T___T

My latest attempt in mid-February finally paid off! I managed to find a parking spot, but when I first saw the storefront, I was shocked. It had changed so much that I had to look up at the name of the store twice. What used to be a small, single-room shop had now expanded to three rooms, and the storefront looked so much brighter and more beautiful than before.

This is the new look of the store.

The once-small sticky rice and mango shop, Mae Nongnuch, has expanded to occupy three storefronts. The two newly added rooms serve as display and sales areas, with a few small tables for dine-in customers. I estimate that the seating capacity is around 15 people. This expansion is a welcome development, as freshly made sticky rice and mango is significantly more delicious than one that has been sitting out for a long time. This is especially true for this particular shop, as it takes me almost 3 hours to drive back to Bangkok after purchasing the treat. The availability of dine-in seating allows me to enjoy the delicious dessert immediately and purchase additional portions for later consumption at home.

The overall interior design is simple yet elegant. At the entrance, there is a standee of Khun Mae Nongnuch, the founder of the restaurant, who established it in 1941, 76 years ago. The standee is accompanied by a small table, which, on the day of my visit, was occupied by a cat.

Note: Ms. Nongnuch, the owner of the shop, has recently passed away. She passed away in September of last year. It is truly saddening news, as I would always see her sitting at the front of the shop selling goods whenever I visited. She always seemed so happy while working.

The newly renovated Mango Sticky Rice shop of Maenongnuch has a few more tables and this beautiful and chic painting on the wall.

The original space of the shop, which used to be both the storefront and everything else, has now become the main room for making sweets. Crispy gold rolls are made at the front of the shop, and let me tell you, they smell amazing. If you stand there and smell them for too long, I guarantee you'll end up buying some to take home and eat. They really do smell that good.

Let's take a look at what's new on the menu now that the shop has expanded. To be honest, I don't remember exactly what they used to sell. I vaguely recall sticky rice with mango, sticky rice with custard, and a few other Thai desserts. Since I was already at the shop to eat sticky rice with mango, I had plenty of time to browse the menu.

The first few dishes that caught my eye were the "Khanom Thian Seuay" and "Khao Tom Mat." The "Khanom Thian Seuay" was even labeled as a best-seller, so I knew I had to try it.

Next up was the mackerel in banana leaf parcels, which were only available on Sundays. There were also various processed mango products, Thai desserts such as young coconut sticky rice cakes, egg yolk drop cookies, banana cakes, and a wide variety of jellies. The jellies were particularly impressive, with generous amounts of longan, young palm fruit, and 2-3 other toppings in each cup.

In addition, there are various snacks such as crispy rice crackers, crispy rolled wafers, rice crackers, crispy fish skin, and other local souvenirs.

Now that we've explored everything, it's time to go shopping. Here's the list I've compiled:

• One set of Khanom Thian Suea: 100 Baht.

• 1 box of Mahachanok mangoes: 190 baht.

• 3 trays of jelly: 100 baht (if you buy only one tray, it will be 40 baht per tray).

• Sticky rice with mango 1 plate 120 baht

The total cost was 510 baht. I originally planned to buy another item, rice crackers, but it was sold out by the time I reached the cashier. It was a shame because the shop owner recommended it as a must-try item, and they only make a limited amount each day. T_____T

The Sweetness of Sticky Rice and Mango: A Culinary Delight

The sticky rice and mango, a dish I ordered at the restaurant, lived up to its long-standing reputation. The fragrant sticky rice, perfectly cooked and free of clumps, was a pleasure to eat. The mango, with its perfectly balanced sweetness, complemented the rich coconut milk sauce, creating a harmonious and satisfying combination. This dish is a must-try for anyone visiting the restaurant, and its lack of cloying sweetness makes it perfect for enjoying without feeling overwhelmed.

The mangoes used in the dish I had were "Ma Muang Nam Dok Mai" variety. However, during the season of "Ma Muang Ok Rong" mangoes, the restaurant primarily uses those. Intrigued by the dish's enduring popularity, I delved deeper and discovered fascinating details about the restaurant's approach. Ms. Nongnuch, the owner, is meticulous and passionate about culinary arts. Once she finds a recipe she deems perfect, she remains steadfast in sourcing ingredients from the same origin. For instance, the glutinous rice used is "Khao Niao Khieo Wung" from Chiang Rai, and when steaming the rice, she combines old and new grains to achieve a soft yet chewy texture. The coconuts used for coconut milk must be "Maphrao Thap Sakae," and they are squeezed without adding water to avoid diluting the flavor.

As I delved deeper into my research, I was struck by the meticulous attention to detail displayed by the shop and Khun Mae Nongnuch. It is no wonder that her mango sticky rice was chosen as a royal dish for King Rama IX.

Next, let's take a look at the "Khanom Thian" (steamed rice cakes). I sampled two pieces at the shop. A set costs 100 baht and includes 12 pieces of "Khanom Thian" with savory fillings. The size of each piece is not too big. The taste is delicious and suits my palate. The texture is smooth, and there is a slight spicy aftertaste. This is another item that I recommend buying if you visit the shop.

The bakery provides storage instructions for the sticky rice dumplings. They can be stored at room temperature for 3 days, in the refrigerator for 1 month, and in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Other items I enjoyed at home include three types of jelly and Mahachanok mangoes.

The jelly is delicious, not too sweet, and has a lot of flesh. No matter where you scoop, you will find flesh. Personally, I think children will like this menu. As for the Mahachanok mango, I think it is a bit too sweet. I can't eat too many pieces in a row. But it's still good because you can eat it a little bit every day. It takes a long time to finish. Haha.

While enjoying sticky rice with mango at the restaurant, I had the opportunity to try their crispy golden threads. The aroma was enticing, and the taste was pleasant. However, my wife and I generally avoid crispy snacks, preferring fresh golden threads instead. Therefore, we did not order it. Nevertheless, if you appreciate such treats and encounter the enticing aroma at the restaurant, feel free to request a sample. If it suits your taste, you can purchase a small bag for 60 baht or a larger one for 120 baht.

Now, let's take a look at the conclusion of this restaurant. What do I think about it?

Food Taste: The dishes I tried were all delicious, with the sticky rice with mango and the "Khanom Thian Seuay" being particularly noteworthy. If I have the opportunity to visit the restaurant again, I would definitely try the "Khao Kriap Pak Mo," which the staff highly recommended as one of their signature dishes.

Food Variety:

The variety of food available is impressive, significantly exceeding what was offered when the shop was just a single room. In addition to sticky rice with mango, there are numerous other snacks and desserts available, ranging from fresh items that need to be consumed immediately to dried goods with a longer shelf life. It's possible to find everything you need in one place, with the exception of a few specific items like "khanom mo kaeng" and other traditional Thai desserts. These can be found later in the city center of Phetchaburi.

**Shop Cleanliness:** The shop is visibly cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing, and more spacious than before.

Employee Service: I did not use this service much, as I only encountered the staff when paying and when they served the sticky rice with mango at the table. However, from these two interactions, I felt that the staff were friendly, talkative, and provided good product recommendations.

Accessibility: The restaurant's location is convenient, situated directly opposite the Hua Hin Night Market. However, parking is extremely limited. Finding a spot requires luck, or a quick stop for a takeaway. Alternatively, parking at the Hua Hin Temple and walking back is an option, although parking at the temple can also be scarce.

Value for money: In my opinion, the taste is excellent compared to the price, making it a great value. It's no surprise that the store is constantly busy with customers.

Summary: If you have the opportunity to visit Hua Hin and are craving delicious sticky rice with mango or other delectable Thai desserts, I highly recommend stopping by this shop. You'll be sure to leave with a plethora of tasty treats. The recent renovations have created a more spacious and airy environment, enhancing the overall dining experience. Additionally, the option to dine in allows you to savor the full flavor of the sticky rice with mango. The only drawback I encountered was the limited parking availability. However, trust me, the effort to find parking is well worth the reward of indulging in the shop's offerings.

This concludes my review. I apologize for any omissions or errors. Please note that this review is based solely on my personal experience on the day of my visit. Your experience may differ. If you enjoy my reviews, please follow me or leave feedback at https://www.facebook.com/amazingcouples.

See you in the next review. Hello.