Nam wan is a popular Lao dessert made with ingredients such as coconut milk, sugar, tapioca pearls, pandan agar agar jelly, beans and cantaloupe. There are many variations of nam wan. You can use canned fruits and canned jellies as well. It is consumed as a cool refreshment topped with shaved ice on hot summer days or can be eaten all year round. We usually make a big batch that will last for several days.

Recipe serves about 10

1/2 Cup tapioca pearls-cook for 14 minutes
1 Cup cooked black beans
1 1/2-2 Cups cantaloupe-diced

Coconut syrup:
16.9 Oz coconut cream 500 ml
3 Cups water
1 1/4 Cups sugar or to taste
1/2 Tsp salt
Boil all ingredients and let cool.

For pandan jelly:
2 Pandan leaves-sliced
1 1/4 Cups water
1 Tsp agar agar powder
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Drop of pandan flavor-optional