The Best Halo-Halo In Manila Philippines

In a tropical country like the Philippines where the heat can be brutal most days of the year, locals have learned to adapt by visiting places with milder weather, taking a dip in the pool, or keeping cool with an icy and well-loved Filipino dessert known as halo-halo. Translated to mean ‘mixed’ in English, this dessert is literally a mixture of shaved ice, milk, purple yam, leche flan (egg custard), canned fruits, white beans, and tapioca pearls, among others. The dessert is a Filipino staple, so don’t miss out on giving it a taste when you visit the country’s capital. Below are our picks for the best halo-halo in Manila, Philippines.

Kabigting's Halo-halo

Store

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At first glance, you might think this is a snow cone. Don’t be fooled – each spoonful will leave you wanting more. Kabigting’s started as a small sari-sari(or neighbourhood convenience) store from Arayat, Pampanga. Their neighbours also sold halo-halo, and they wanted to stand out from the rest. So they added sugared white kidney beans (in different colours) to the sweet concoction. This resulted to a chunky and creamy texture with a touch of salty-sweet (because of the beans).

Aling Consuelo Original Halo-halo

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Located along the streets of Ugbo in Tondo, Manila since 1960, locals and foreign tourists head over to get a taste of this simple yet sweet delicacy. Their halo-halo is known for having a generous amount of ube(purple yam), leche flan (egg custard), and macapuno (soft, shredded coconut flesh) in their servings. Aside from its goodness and rich, creamy flavour in every bite, each halo-halo is budget-friendly – priced very cheaply at only 30 Philippine pesos.

Razon’s of Guagua Halo-halo

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Another specialty restaurant from Pampanga became popular among locals because of their famous halo-halo that’s known for its excellent taste. What previously started as a mini refreshment parlour in Guagua, Razon’s now has over 20 branches in Metro Manila. Unlike the usual halo-halo with a lot of ingredients, Razon’s halo-halo features only three choices – sun-ripened Saba bananas, macapuno, leche flan with dayap (lime) mixed to perfection. The quality of its crushed ice adds to the overall taste as it melts the mixture into one’s mouth.

Chowking’s Halo-Halo

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If you’re looking for a halo-halo with a consistent taste and is conveniently available almost anywhere, then Chowking is the place to go! Instead of the usual purple yam, what makes Chowking’s halo-halo stand out is its purple yam-flavoured ice cream. Each serving also has an overwhelming amount of ingredients – white and red beans, jackfruit strips, pinipig (rice crispies), as well as gelatin cut in cubes (in red and green colours). Of course, you’ll also find leche flan and macapuno. The combination of ingredients and its colours will definitely satisfy those cravings in an instant.

Milky Way Halo-halo

Cafe

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Since the 1960’s, Milky Way Cafe’s version of halo-halo has been a favourite among locals for its consistent freshness and guaranteed satisfaction after finishing a serving or two. Each refreshing treat has a good amount of premium ingredients (prepared and cooked at home) and the ice is crushed in a way that makes it super fine and smooth.

Kuya J’s Halo-halo

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‘Not your ordinary halo-halo‘ – this is how most locals would describe Kuya J’s version of the famous Filipino ice-cold dessert. At first bite, one will immediately notice the quality of its ice (made of milk) and how it’s been shaved so perfectly to bring out the rich goodness of its ingredients. Unlike the usual rice crispies found in most halo-halo servings, you’ll find crunchy corn flakes in this concoction. And, it goes really well with the leche flan, purple yam-flavoured ice cream, and the generous amount of ingredients at the bottom, making it a signature dish that every dessert lover should try!

About the author

Ronica Valdeavilla

Writer

A writer from the Philippines who loves books and photography. She likes to discover new dishes, explore places she's never been to, and try exciting activities. She hopes to satisfy her curiosity by traveling the world.