Walking down any British high street, you'll spot plenty of bakeries with their Victoria sponges and sticky toffee puddings, but where are all the amazing Asian sweet treats?
While specialist shops in larger cities might stock some gems, most of us are missing out on a world of incredible flavours and textures.
Here's our wishlist of Asian desserts we'd love to see become as common as cupcakes in the UK.
1. Mochi Ice Cream
Imagine biting through a soft, chewy rice flour shell only to discover a creamy ice cream centre waiting inside. The contrast between the elastic mochi exterior and the cold, melty filling creates a textural marvel unlike anything in traditional British puddings.
Found in Japan, these little spheres come in flavours from matcha to mango, making them perfect little mouthfuls of joy.
2. Dorayaki Pancakes
The childhood favourite of cartoon robot cat Doraemon has a good reason for its popularity! Two fluffy honey-soaked pancakes sandwich a generous dollop of sweet red bean paste, creating a portable treat that's both comforting and sophisticated.
Perfect with afternoon tea, these Japanese pancake sandwiches offer a gentler sweetness than many Western counterparts.
3. Mango Sticky Rice
Summer on a plate! Warm, glutinous rice soaked in sweetened coconut milk creates the perfect canvas for slices of ripe, juicy mango. The Thai masterpiece balances starchy, creamy and fruity elements in perfect harmony.
A sprinkle of toasted mung beans or sesame seeds adds the finishing crunch to this sunshine-yellow delight that would brighten any rainy British day.
4. Thai Coconut Jelly
Remember those jelly cups from school parties? Thai coconut jelly takes that nostalgic wobble to new heights! Served in actual coconut shells, these translucent treats combine coconut water, milk and delicate pandan flavouring.
The jelly's refreshing lightness makes it the perfect palate cleanser after a spicy meal, with none of the artificial aftertaste of packet jellies.
5. Red Bean Buns
The British have their jam doughnuts, but Chinese bakeries offer something even more satisfying. Fluffy steamed buns filled with sweet red bean paste provide a pillowy softness that's utterly addictive.
Often shaped like peaches for good luck, these buns have a subtle sweetness that makes them acceptable for breakfast or dessert. The gentle aniseed notes in the dough complement the earthy bean filling beautifully.
6. Matcha Mille Crepe Cake
French technique meets Japanese flavours in this stunning green masterpiece. Whisper-thin crepes layered with matcha-infused cream create a cake that's both sophisticated and comforting. Each forkful delivers the grassy bitterness of green tea balanced perfectly with sweet cream.
The visual impact of twenty or more delicate layers makes it as Instagram-worthy as it is delicious.
7. Gulab Jamun
Fancy a doughnut that's been soaking in syrup overnight? That's essentially what these Indian sweets deliver – but they're so much more! Milk solids are formed into balls, deep-fried until golden, then bathed in rose-scented sugar syrup.
The result is a squidgy, fragrant treat that melts on your tongue. One is never enough of these cardamom-spiced delights that would pair wonderfully with a proper British cuppa.
8. Egg Tarts
Not your nan's custard tart! These Hong Kong and Macanese treasures feature flaky pastry cups filled with silky egg custard that's simultaneously rich and light. The Portuguese-influenced treats have a caramelized top reminiscent of crème brûlée.
Served warm from the oven, they're crispy outside and wobbly inside – the perfect handheld comfort on drizzly London afternoons.
9. Bingsu Shaved Ice
Forget 99 Flakes – Korean bingsu takes frozen treats to spectacular heights! Finely shaved ice with the texture of fresh snow forms the base for creative toppings like sweetened red beans, fresh fruit, and condensed milk.
Modern versions often incorporate Oreos, cheesecake pieces or breakfast cereals. Shared between friends, these mountain-sized desserts are as much a social event as they are a sweet treat.
10. Sesame Balls
Crispy on the outside, chewy inside, these golden spheres are a textural wonderland! The outer shell of glutinous rice flour is studded with toasted sesame seeds that provide a nutty crunch. Bite through to discover a sweet filling – traditionally red bean paste, but sometimes lotus seed or peanut.
A Chinese New Year favourite, they symbolise growing prosperity with their expanding size during frying.
11. Ube Halaya
Purple food that doesn't taste of artificial grape? Yes please! This Filipino jam made from purple yams has a naturally vibrant colour that makes it instantly recognisable. The smooth, pudding-like consistency carries notes of vanilla and coconut.
Often topped with latik (crispy coconut curds), it's as delightful spooned straight from the jar as it is spread on toast for a royal purple breakfast.
12. Pandan Cake
The Southeast Asian answer to Victoria sponge gets its distinctive green hue and fragrance from pandan leaves – nature's vanilla. Light as air, this chiffon cake practically floats off the plate! Its subtle, grassy sweetness pairs perfectly with a cup of tea.
The cake's impossibly soft texture comes from whipped egg whites, making it a fat-free treat that doesn't taste like a compromise.
13. Taro Milk Pudding
Blancmange gets an upgrade with this silky Hong Kong dessert. Purple-speckled taro root lends a subtle nutty flavour to the creamy milk pudding that's both refreshing and comforting.
Served chilled, it has a gentle wobble similar to panna cotta but with a distinctly Asian profile. Sometimes topped with gingko nuts or red beans, it's a dessert that feels nourishing rather than naughty.
14. Pineapple Cake
Not the upside-down cake your gran makes! These Taiwanese treats are actually buttery shortbread-like pastries filled with jammy pineapple filling that's been caramelized to perfection. Individual parcels of sweet-tart goodness, they're traditionally given as gifts.
The contrast between the crumbly crust and the sticky filling makes them irresistible with a cup of oolong tea.
15. Coconut Sticky Rice Rolls
Street food at its finest! These Thai sweets wrap glutinous rice around various fillings like sweet banana, taro or egg custard, then roll the whole thing in fresh coconut shreds. Served on bamboo skewers or banana leaves, they're delightfully portable.
The chewy rice exterior yields to tender fillings, while the coconut coating adds a tropical fragrance that transports you straight to Bangkok markets.
