Pandan, a tropical plant known as the 'vanilla of Southeast Asia,' is on the verge of becoming a major flavor trend in the UK, following in the footsteps of matcha. Black Sheep Coffee has already launched pandan-infused lemonade and iced pandan matcha in April 2026, signaling the ingredient's growing popularity.
What is pandan?
Pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius) is a tropical plant with long, blade-like fragrant leaves. It is used in cooking across Southeast Asia, either added whole to dishes for aroma or blended into an extract. According to Vhari Russell, founder of The Food Marketing Experts, the flavor profile sits 'somewhere between vanilla, coconut, and jasmine' with 'a soft, earthy grassiness.' She describes it as 'warm, aromatic, instantly distinctive, and extraordinarily versatile.'
Pandan has been a staple in Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, and Filipino cuisines for centuries, appearing in rice dishes, curries, desserts, drinks, and ceremonial foods.
Why pandan is poised for a matcha-like moment
Russell emphasizes that pandan is not a manufactured fad but a genuine cultural ingredient with 'deep roots and a devoted following.' She attributes its rising popularity to the growing Southeast Asian diaspora, Gen Z's appetite for global flavors, and its vivid natural green color, which is 'perfectly suited to a social-media-first food culture.'
'I keep drawing the comparison to matcha, and I think it's the right one,' Russell says. 'Five years ago, matcha felt niche and slightly inaccessible to mainstream UK consumers. Today it's in every coffee shop... Pandan is at exactly that early stage.' She notes that early adopters of matcha lattes built businesses on it, while latecomers bought into a commodity, and the same dynamic is playing out with pandan.
The natural green color of pandan extract eliminates the need for synthetic dyes, appealing to consumers 'deeply suspicious' of artificial ingredients. Russell adds, 'For food brands navigating the clean label agenda while trying to create visually compelling products, pandan is genuinely exciting.'
Where to try pandan in London
London offers several options for pandan enthusiasts. Pandan Bakery, a Malaysian dessert company founded in 2012, operates market stalls in Battersea and Putney and offers nationwide delivery. Their signature pandan chiffon sponge, made by head baker Ling for over 40 years, starts at £13.50 for a plain cake. The bakery also sells pandan coconut brioche, pandan kaya spread, and pandan kuih (layered steamed cake). Social media users have praised their products as 'delightful' and 'super delicious.'
Lil Wong Bakes, run by Sam Wong, known online as the 'Pandan Queen,' hosts pop-ups around London. Her next event is July 11-12 at Turn Up Truck in King's Cross, featuring pandan sandos (pandan cake with fresh cream and fruit). Some creations, like pandan, raspberry & white chocolate chip cookies (three for £8), are available on the online marketplace DELLI.
Pandan sponge cakes can also be found in Chinatown bakeries, including Chinatown Bakery. Crosstown Doughnuts occasionally offers a pandan special, notably during Lunar New Year. For a drink, Bun House Disco in Shoreditch serves a Pandan Espresso Martini with pandan, espresso, coffee liqueur, and Finlandia Vodka.
Russell predicts pandan will appear across major categories like cake, ice cream, biscuits, coffees, and cocktails, and expects it to be a long-term opportunity rather than a fleeting trend.
