15 Best Asian Frozen Desserts That Will Thrill Your Tastebuds
Have you tried them all? Check out our list and see if your favorite is in it.
Feeling the harsh summer heat lately? You're definitely not alone! This heat is nearly inescapable and it doesn't help that most of us can't just pack up and head to the beach -- the only place where this kind of heat makes sense.
If you're looking for the most delicious way to cool down and be refreshed this summer, here are just some of the best chilled and frozen desserts from around Asia that you can enjoy at home or after a short drive.
Sweet and Icy
Sweet and Icy
Bingsu
Where It Came From: South Korea. What It Is: Patbingsu, or more popularly known in the Philippines as just "Bingsu", is a shaved ice dessert usually topped with fruits, syrup, condensed milk, and azuki or sweetened red beans. It's important to know that it's not just crushed ice, it's shaved ice, so it melts smoothly when eaten. Some cafés offering this Korean favorite even use shaved frozen milk to achieve a creamier texture and flavor. Where To Get It: Hobing Korean Dessert Cafe. What To Get: Red Bean Bingsu. Check out @hobingkoreandessertcafe on Instagram or Facebook.
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Bingsu
Where To Get It: The Bingsu at Commercenter Alabang. What To Get: Strawberry Bingsu with fresh strawberries, strawberry purée, strawberry syrup and whipped cream. Al fresco dining available. Check out @thebingsu.commercenter on Instagram.
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Mochi Ice Cream
What It Is: Mochi ice cream is exactly what it says it is -- a scoop of ice cream wrapped in chewy mochi. It was invented by a Japanese-American business woman and activist, Frances Hashimoto. Mochi is sticky rice pounded until it's delicately soft, chewy, and stretchy. It's incredibly sticky, so it's usually dusted with cornstarch. The mochi itself is not too sweet, so it's the perfect accompaniment to sweet and cold ice cream. Where To Get It: Mochiko. What To Get: Avocado Mochi Ice Cream. Check out @hellomochikomochi on Instagram or @mochikomochi on Facebook.
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Mochi Ice Cream
We also love Mochiko's vegan-friendly Coconut and Mango Mochi Ice Cream. Check out @hellomochikomochi on Instagram or @mochikomochi on Facebook.
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Mango Sago
Where It Came From: China. What It Is: Mango Sago is a staple in many Chinese restaurants. It's sweet enough to be considered as a decent dessert but also healthy enough to make you feel like a responsible adult. In its simplicity, it is one of the most refreshing and satisfying summer desserts out there especially with juicy chunks of golden ripe mango mixed with perfectly cooked tapioca balls. Some even use coconut milk and condensed milk for a richer version. Where To Get It: @mangosagoph on Instagram.
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Mango Sago
Mango Sago is also available at Lung Hin Cantonese Restaurant at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Gloria Maris, or King Chef. Or for a modern twist, order from @sugarballph where Mango Sago is made not with the usual tapioca pearls but boba similar to the ones used in milk tea. (Photo: @sugarballph on Instagram).
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Kulfi
Where It Came From: India. What It is: Kulfi (or Qulfi) is considered traditional Indian ice cream, but today it's also popular in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Myanmar, and throughout the Middle East. While it has many similarities with Western-style ice cream, Kulfi is denser and richer because it doesn't whip the dairy. Since it's denser, it doesn't melt that easily, too. Traditional flavors are cream (or malai), rose, mango, cardamom, pistachio, and saffron. But modern Kulfi has evolved and today you'll see more apple, orange, strawberry, peanut, and even avocado kulfi. Where To Get It: Swagat Indian Cuisine. Check out @swagatph on Instagram or Facebook.
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Cendol
Where It Came From: Indo-Malay Region. What It Is: Simply put, Cendol closely resembles our local Halo-Halo except it's a green mound of ice. Cendol is usually topped with chewy green jelly made of rice flour and they use a mixture of coconut milk and palm sugar syrup instead of evaporated milk. Traditional toppings/mix-ins include ripe jackfruit, sweetened red beans, and even durian. It's immensely popular in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Where To Get It: Most of the places we checked out offer Cendol seasonally, but you can try your luck at Warung Warung in Kapitolyo or weekend markets in Makati City.
Photo Credit: Aiman Baser on Unsplash
Black Sesame Ice Cream
Where It Came From: Japan. What It Is: Imagine the creaminess of vanilla ice cream studded with speckles of black sesame, giving it that distinct nutty flavor that's not too sweet and not too savory -- just the perfect pick-me-up after a substantial meal. Contrary to what many people think, black sesame is naturally black, it's not just charred white sesame. It has its own flavor profile that makes it ideal for both savory dishes as well as desserts. According to Serious Eats, "In Japan, Black sesame desserts are often served with kuromitsu, which means "black honey," though it's really a type of light molasses. It has a maltiness and mild acidity that underscore toasted black sesame in a delightful way." Where To Get It: Kurimu. Check out @kurimu.ph on Instagram or Facebook.
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Black Sesame Ice Cream
Strictly speaking, Manila Creamery makes gelato not ice cream, but please don't miss trying out its beautifully nuanced black sesame flavor. Check out @mnlcreamery on Instagram or @manilacreamery on Facebook.
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Matcha Float
Where It Came From: Japan. What It Is: If you're still not sure what Matcha is by now, you must be living under a rock or something. From being a traditional beverage, Matcha (or Japanese green tea) has evolved into various kinds of desserts (and some savory dishes) around the world. In the Philippines, Filipinos cozied up to its sublime flavor and subtle bitter aftertaste. It has been tweaked to fit the usual Pinoy flavor profile and made its way into frappes, shakes, cakes, and yes even ice cream. Where To Get It: Tsujiri. What To Get: Tsujiri Ice Milk with Matcha Soft Serve, Houchija Ice Milk with Matcha Soft Serve, or Yuzu Float with Matcha Soft Serve; they also have Matcha sundaes and a mouthwatering Matcha Lava Cake topped with Matcha Soft Serve. Check out @tsujiri_ph on Instagram or @tsujiri.ph on Facebook.
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Matcha Soft Serve Ice Cream
While we're on the subject of ice cold matcha, if you're missing the delicate treat that is soft serve ice cream, you can now order a tub of Tsujiri's matcha soft serve. The tubs come with reusable ice packs to keep the ice cream from melting. Check out @tsujiri_ph on Instagram or @tsujiri.ph on Facebook.
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Mais Con Hielo
Where It Came From: Philippines. What It is: Mais Con Hielo (or Yelo) is a traditional Pinoy dessert made of layers of crushed ice, creamed corn, and corn kernels. For creaminess, it's got condensed or evaporated milk. It's so simple yet so satisfying and incredibly filling (imagine eating all that corn), but every bite will remind many Pinoys of many a-childhood afternoon breaks in between playing outside with friends. It's often sold by streetside carts, but some restaurants have created their own version -- some with an upscale touch. Where To Get It: Dunkin Donuts. Check out @dunkin.ph on Facebook.
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Mais Con Hielo
For a delicious twist on the Mais Con Hielo, try this summery Mango con Hielo from iceberg's. Check out @icebergsph on Instagram. (Photo: @joy_burp/Instagram).
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Halo Halo
Where It Came From: Philippines. What It Is: We couldn't make this list without including Halo-Halo, of course. This traditional Pinoy treat is actually available all year long (yes, even during the horrible monsoon season), but it has been synonymous with summer. Underneath crushed ice, it has a myriad of mix-ins that really depends on the restaurant (or your mood, if you're making it at home). Usually, Halo-Halo contains sweetened beans, green and red cubes of jelly ("gulaman"), boiled sweet potatoes or taro, sweetened bananas ("saba"), and some popped rice ("pinipig") for texture. It's topped with a generous drizzle of evaporated milk, a dollop of ube jam, a scoop of ube ice cream, a slice of leche flan, or all of the above. Where To Get It: Milky Way, Razon's, Aling Taleng's (in Pagsanjan, Laguna). Check out @milkywaycafe_makati on Instagram.
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Lead photo: The Bingsu at Commercenter Alabang, @mangosagoph, Milky Way Cafe
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