In numismatics, a flan is a flat metal disk used to strike coins.
In cooking, flan is a custard-like dessert originating from Spain and is popular in former Spanish colonies such as Latin America, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico. Although Spanish in origin, some Americans associate it with Mexican cuisine.
Flan is normally made with whole eggs, milk, and sugar. The typical favoring is simply vanilla but there are numerous variations that include almonds, pistachio, lemon, and various other fruits. It is traditionally cooked in a bain-marie with its caramel sauce on the bottom layer. When finished cooking, the mold is inverted, covering the flan with the sauce. It can also be made from store-bought instant flan. The steps to make it are similar to that of instant gelatin.
Flan is particularly obiquitous in Japanese convenience stores. It is not uncommon to find an entire shelf in a Lawson or 7-Eleven dedicated to over a dozen brands and varieties of flan. Flan is referred to simply as pudding in Japan.
Creme brulee is a similar dish found in French cuisine that some would argue inspired flan. It is denser than flan, and rather than caramel sauce it has sugar sprinkled on top which is then burnt with a torch to create a hard crispy top.
Flans is a popular Mexican vocal trio consisting of Ilse Olivo, Ivonne Guevara, and Mimi Hernandez.