Cold Asian desserts are refreshing sweets served chilled or over ice, often made with ingredients like coconut milk, rice, fruit, and beans. With hot weather just around the corner, a chilled dessert is just the thing to beat the heat while getting a sweet fix. A few popular options include mochi, halo-halo, mango sticky rice, and grass jelly. At International Fresh Market, we have all the authentic ingredients at our international market to make all of these tasty treats. Check out our recipe rundown and start planning your next dessert night!
What Are Cold Asian Desserts?
Cold Asian desserts are sweet treats that are served either cold or iced, depending on the ingredients. Thanks to their origins in Asia, they feature unique textures, creamy, chewy, or even jelly-like. These desserts offer a balanced sweetness, and aren’t overly sweet. For that reason, they make excellent sweet treats to serve at a party or for a simple summertime gathering.
Cold Asian desserts are popular across Japan, the Philippines, China, and even Thailand. Depending on the country, you might find dessert options like Japanese cheesecake, mochi, bingsu, or dango, rice dumplings served chilled on skewers. If you have an adventurous palate, or just love the sweeter side of life, give one of these treats a try.
Mochi Ice Cream
Mochi ice cream is one of the most popular cold Asian desserts. Mochi is ice cream wrapped in sweet rice dough and served in little bowls. Mochi has a very unique texture, chewy on the outside and cold and creamy on the inside. Mochi comes in a whole host of flavors, but a few popular options include matcha, strawberry, and mango.
Mochi is convenient and easy to serve, since it comes in little portioned “packages” and has a fun texture that appeals to all ages. For best results, let mochi sit for 1-2 minutes after you pull it from the freezer before serving.
Halo-Halo
Halo-halo is a Filipino shaved ice dessert that has fun, layered ingredients. It only takes a few simple ingredients, such as sweet beans, fruit, jellies, shaved ice, and evaporated milk. Depending on your preferences, you can add ube ice cream or flan to halo-halo as well. To make it at home, just follow these steps:
- Add the mix-ins of your choice to a glass
- Top with shaved ice
- Pour milk over the top of the shaved ice and mix-ins
- Add toppings of your choice and mix just before eating
Halo-halo is meant to be customizable, so feel free to mix and match and create new flavors based on your preferences. Halo-halo also makes a great party dessert. Set out a variety of mix-ins and toppings and invite your guests to customize their own chilled Asian dessert.
Mango Sticky Rice
Mango sticky rice is a classic Thai dessert made with coconut rice and slices of fresh mango. With a creamy, lightly sweet, slightly salty flavor, mango sticky rice is a delicious way to embrace the warmer months. You can make mango sticky rice at home in just a few minutes. To make it, cook sticky rice, then mix the rice with coconut milk and sugar. Serve the rice with sliced, fresh mango. It’s light, tropical, and totally refreshing!
Grass Jelly Dessert
An herbal jelly used in Chinese and Southeast Asian desserts, herbal jelly is a unique treat that’s perfect for hot days. It features a smooth, slightly firm texture and a mild, subtly sweet flavor. Grass jelly can be served with syrup, milk, or even in drinks. It’s popular across Asia as a light option to indulgent desserts.
Why These Desserts Are Perfect for Hot Weather
With a cooling effect and light sweetness, these desserts are not only delicious but invigorating as well. The variety of textures in the recipes above keeps them interesting, while their customizable nature means that they’re perfect for parties or gatherings.
Visit Our Asian Grocery Store for Fresh Dessert Picks
Cold Asian desserts provide variety, balance, and refreshment. Whether you try one or all of these desserts, International Fresh Market has what you need. Visit our international market to start exploring global flavors through dessert.
