The Pinoy Halo-Halo and Leche Flan have made it to the list of the Most Popular Asian Desserts of Taste Atlas.
The all-time favorite Filipino desserts were named among 350 of the best food offered in the region in the annual list released by the World Food Atlas, a project dedicated to cataloging, preserving, and promoting local ingredients, traditional recipes, and authentic restaurants.
The Philippines’ version of the shaved ice dessert was ranked at 31st spot on the Asian Desserts Map with a 4-star rating.
Taste Atlas entry for the Philippines’ Halo-Halo goes:
“The refreshing halo-halo (lit. mix-mix) is a summer dessert or a snack of mixed fruit and beans, topped with finely crushed ice and either milk or ice cream. Some of the most common halo-halo ingredients include bananas, jackfruit, coconut, sweet potatoes, red mung beans, chickpeas, sugar palm fruit, purple yam jam, leche flan, and – in recent times – even sweet corn or corn crisps.
“Originally, halo-halo desserts were sold by Japanese vendors in halo-halo parlors or at numerous street stalls before the occupation of the Philippines in the 1940s. In fact, this Filipino specialty is often said to have been inspired by a shaved-ice cooler called anmitsu, another Japanese summer drink.”
Taste Atlas recommends the best Halo-Halo is found in Razon’s of Guagua and also at Kabigting’s Halo-Halo in Angeles, Pampanga, Aling Foping’s Halo-Halo in Davao City, Marison’s in Antipolo, Mang Inasal in Quezon City, Milky Way Cafe in Makati, Aling Banang’s in Manila, Nathaniel’s Bakeshop in Manila, The Aristocrat in Manila, Max’s Restaurant in Quezon City, Halowich in Manoc-Manoc in Aklan, and in Jollibee.
The custard dessert, Leche Flan, earned 4.2 stars on the Taste Atlas ratings.
The Taste Atlas entry for Leche Flan:
“Leche flan is a Filipino dessert that is essentially a caramel custard consisting of milk, sugar, and eggs, with the addition of vanilla flavoring. It is recommended to serve it chilled and coated with leftover caramel syrup. Leche flan is very popular at numerous Filipino celebrations and social gatherings.
“Originally, it was brought over to the Philippines during the Spanish colonization, so it is believed that it has origins in the regions on the border of Spain and France. Today, apart from being consumed on its own as a sweet treat, pieces of leche flan can also be added to halo-halo, another popular Filipino dessert.”
Leche Flan was recommended by Taste Atlas as best sampled at Kabila in Makati, Manam Comfort Food in Manila, Bacolod Chicken Inasal in Quezon City, The Lobby Peninsula in Makati, Conti’s in Quezon City, Max’s Restaurant in Quezon City, and at Chelsea Kitchen in Mandaluyong.
Earlier this year, Taste Atlas listed the Pinoy Butsi among the World’s Most Popular Snacks, featured Adobo as the Philippines’ national dish, and named Crispy Pata, Lechon, and Kare-Kare in the Top 100 Most Popular Dishes in the World.
SEND cheers in the comments below to the Philippine food industry for showcasing the best Filipino food on the global map!
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