When my Thai in-laws and I climbed a steep hill in San Francisco a few years ago in the spring, it felt like a great pilgrimage – and not just because of the incline. We were on our way to an important destination.

Our destination was, of course, Swensen's. The original. We told the staff in the shop, which was far more spartan than any of us had imagined. Their reaction? Not a word, not even a smile. The ice cream was good, but I wish it had been the coldest thing we felt that day.

The bad news? The first Swensen's in San Francisco has virtually nothing in common with Swensen's ice cream from Thailand. The good news? The Thai Swensen's are far superior to anything the company's namesakes in the US could have created.

How Swensen's found its way to Thailand

The story of Swensen's in Thailand begins in the 1970s, when the founder of the first store, Earle Swensen, sold the rights to his brand to an investment firm. This firm quickly used the "Swensen's" name for dozens (and later hundreds) of franchise locations, first in the US and then worldwide, particularly in Asia. Much like today's Swensen's restaurants in Thailand, these upscale, full-service establishments had little in common with the humble shop in San Francisco.

While transforming a small business into a large corporation certainly has its drawbacks, it allowed Mr. Swensen to amass a fortune worldwide without having to delve into the intricacies of foreign exchange trading. He also didn't need to use a Rocketplay coupon code or try his luck online, although I imagine you could have success doing so.

Why Thais love Swensen's so much

comfort

With over 300 branches in dozens of locations across Thailand, it's no exaggeration to say that Swensen's is ubiquitous. This means that Swensen's is almost certainly the most convenient place for Thai families, wherever they live, to get all kinds of desserts, and especially ice cream.

Ambience

Unlike the small shop on the street corner in San Francisco, where the only thing that could be described as "ambience" is the sound of passing streetcars, Swensen's Thailand feels comparatively luxurious. Guests sit in elegant booths under ornate stained-glass lampshades bearing the company logo and are served as if in a high-end restaurant.

diversity

Swensen's offers dozens of ice cream flavors that can be enjoyed à la carte or with your choice of toppings, as well as artistic sundaes and other creations. Naturally, they also offer regional specialties such as mango (especially during mango season), mangosteen, and of course, durian.

Value

To be honest, Swensen's is expensive in Thailand by local standards. On the other hand, Thais love a good deal, and Swensen's offers plenty. Some are permanent, like two scoops of ice cream for the price of one for loyal customers on certain evenings of the week. Others offer their customers targeted, rotating discounts from mobile phone providers or banks.

Word of mouth

Thailand, for better or for worse, is a country where people tend to adapt, especially to friends, family, and colleagues. As Swensen's expanded over the years, a few Thais told other Thais, who in turn told others, until suddenly "Sa-wen-sen" (the phonetic pronunciation) was on everyone's lips.

More fantastic dessert restaurants in Thailand

Swensen's is fantastic, but Thailand is generally a great country for desserts. Here are some of my favorite recipes to indulge yourself in the Land of Smiles:

  • Among the premium dessert cafes typically found in shopping centers, After You is the only one that truly comes close to the ubiquity of Swensen's, although they focus on more elaborate desserts than just ice cream, namely "Honey Toast".
  • Most food courts in Thai shopping malls have a department specializing in local desserts, ranging from foreigner-friendly options like Mango Sticky Rice to creations popular with locals, such as Namkaeng Sai, which combines coconut milk with shaved ice and various toppings.
  • Prefer a drink for your dessert? Thai iced tea (simply called Cha Yen, meaning iced tea in Thai) is available at street stalls throughout the kingdom, typically, but not exclusively, in the morning. That's a good thing, because you'll need all day to burn off those calories!

    • Of course, you probably won't just spend one day in Thailand. So you could enjoy Swensen's Thailand on Monday and each of these desserts on Tuesday, Wednesday, and so on!

    More frequently asked questions about Swensen's in Thailand

    How many branches does Swensen's have in Thailand?

    Swensen's currently operates over 300 stores in Thailand, holding an impressive 75% market share in the Thai premium ice cream market. Generally, you can find a Swensen's branch in almost every shopping mall in Thailand.

    When did the first Swensen's restaurant open in Thailand?

    Swensen's opened its first branch in Thailand in 1986. The company was brought there by the Minor Food Group, which was also responsible for expanding brands such as Burger King and The Coffee Club into the kingdom. The parent company, Minor International, owns the renowned hotel chain Anantara.

    Is Swensen's a Thai company?

    Swensen's is not a Thai company, although franchisees in Thailand operate under the umbrella of the Minor Food Group, headquartered in Bangkok. Swensen's Corporation itself, however, is headquartered in Markham, a suburb of Toronto in Ontario, Canada.

    Conclusion

    If you haven't tried Swensen's ice cream in Thailand, you haven't truly experienced Thailand! Swensen's is located in almost every major shopping mall in the country and is by far the most elegant ice cream spot in the kingdom – and arguably one of the best dessert cafes in the world. Besides the stylish ambiance and incredible variety of ice cream flavors, Swensen's impresses with consistently high quality, no matter which branch you visit. They also regularly offer great deals, especially for locals. Need help planning your trip to Thailand? Then let me help!