Classic Taiwanese Desserts: Mango Ice

Taiwan is filled with signature desserts. One of the most iconic is Mango Ice. It's such a simple dessert that's worth paying for.

Shaved ice, fresh mangoes, and a special condensed milk. There are also varying toppings, including seasonal fruits, ice cream, mochi, beans, and mango jelly (which taste and feels almost exactly like real mangoes.

When it's hot outside, it's the perfect cooling dessert. When it's cold outside, it doesn't warm you up, but it still totally satisfies your sweet craving. It's so fresh and refreshing.

You must have mango ice when you visit Taiwan. You're missing out if you don't.

Here are a couple bowls of Mango Ice that was savored and quickly finished.
(Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.)

The slideshow here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Mango Ice

Chinese Sweets at Sweet Dynasty in Taipei

Dessert first to whet your appetites for Taiwanese eats.

One of my favorite food aspects of Taiwanese cuisine is all the sweets. Even if a meal fills you up, you still are tempted with all the dessert houses filling Taipei. And if you're really too full, you can have these sweets as snacks after walking off some of the calories.

Because we were craving for sweet tofu (tofufa), we were taken to Sweet Dynasty. Earlier in the year, my best friend in Hong Kong took my family to the location in Hong Kong.

That whole steaming bucket of tofu is a real treat. Fresh, warm, silky tofu instantly warms your stomach. With a little sweet syrup, this is a delightful and comforting snack or dessert.

Here are some pictures of the tofu barrel and some of the other sweet treats we had to satisfy our sweet tooth at Sweet Dynasty.
(Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.)

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Sweet Dynasty

Honeymoon Desserts to Cool Down or Warm Up

There's something about traveling that makes me looks for sweets. When I was a little girl traveling around Europe during the summer time, I would love searching for ice cream trucks to cool down from the sweltering August heat. Not much has changed. In Hong Kong, one of my classic dessert favorites is stopping by Honeymoon Desserts. Cold and hot bowls for a sweet break.


Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Honeymoon Desserts

Not-Your-Typical-Afternoon-Tea at Cafe Iguana

One of my favorite pastimes is a leisurely afternoon tea. Little portions, both sweet and savory. After walking around Elements mall in Hong Kong, I found a restaurant that caught my eye because of their Afternoon Tea Set special. Cafe Iguana serves Latin and Spanish dishes throughout the day. Between 3-6pm, they have a set menu for 98HKD. Not bad at all. Fried food, fresh guacamole, and desserts - plus some cold beer - that's a great afternoon.


Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Cafe Iguana

Katsu at Dondonya

Elements mall in Hong Kong has a great variety of Chinese and Japanese restaurants. I really enjoy the Japanese restaurants because they are specialized. Sushi at sen-ryo, ramen/izakaya at Ippei-an, udon at Inaniwa, and now rice bowls/katsu at Dondonya. My favorite ordered the pork katsu. Theirs were not as good as my oyster katsu. Really flaky and crusty with the panko, and filled with hot, juicy oysters. Next time I go back, I'm interested in trying their donburis - after all the name of the restaurant implies they specialize in rice bowls.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Dondonya