Halo-halo is the ubiquitous Filipino dessert that’s been on our minds this whole summer. From the humble carinderia to more ostentatious five-star hotels, this dessert has been elevated and remade thousands of times over. Its versatile nature is what makes it so appealing. Literally translating to “a mix [of ingredients],” halo-halo is one of the few menu items that can be made with anything and everything.

Halo-halo purists might opt for the traditional motley of ingredients which include saba bananas, red and white beans, jackfruit slices, kaong or sweet palm, and macapuno (coconut sport). Of course, those preferring simpler renditions of the dessert may be happy to stick to lesser ingredients.

Its surprising history can be traced back to a few Japanese influences; while there is no conclusive recipe to credit halo-halo towards, historians theorize that it could be from the Japanese mitsumame or kakigori. Though the relationship between the two countries was hostile at the time, Filipinos did seem to take a liking to the desserts brought over by Japanese settlers.

This summer, as the Philippines battles the heatwave exacerbated by El Niño, The Beat Asia takes itself on the road to try some of the city’s most well-known and recommended halo-halo desserts.

Bebang's

If you’re craving something smooth, milky, and sweet, consider Bebang’s. Made with shaved (frozen) milk instead of ice, Bebang’s halo-halo promises a creamier consistency than most. It is also incredibly popular online; those looking to have these treats delivered need to book about a week in advance due to staggering demand.

Fear not, as the wait will be well worth it. Due to Bebang’s extensive menu, every customer is sure to find something to his or her taste. From flavors such as strawberry pistachio and matcha to more traditionally beloved palate pleasers such as buko pandan and mais con yelo, Bebang’s has it all. This summer, we tried their bestselling banana cinnamon con yelo, which comprises leche flan, vanilla jelly, caramel syrup, and a sweet cinnamon banana puree on top.

Delightfully sweet, each bite was as refreshing as the last. One thing we enjoyed was how the leche flan sits at the bottom of the cup (versus on top, where it usually is); it felt like digging for extra treasure at the end of a treat. It’s definitely as creamy and milky as Bebang promises and for only P158, this dessert filled us up – it’s already good for two people to share.

Its prompt delivery and mix of textures were an absolute hit!

Location: Bebang Halo-Halo, Wack-Wack Royal Mansion, Unit B C N E, 574 Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong

The Lobby at The Peninsula Manila

Remember when “You” stars Penn Badgley and Shay Mitchell visited the Philippines and tried the halo-halo at The Peninsula? Even before – and then much later after – the actors’ degustation, people had been making a stir about the hotel’s well-known halo-halo. Why? For one thing, it costs nearly a grand, or P990 to be exact; factoring in service charges and taxes, The Lobby’s halo-halo costs P1,085. But is it truly worth it?

The answer is: it depends. If you want to enjoy the serene ambiance of the famed Peninsula Hotel, then there’s no better place than The Lobby, where plush chairs and VIP service await. It’s a fantastic place to work, enjoy meals with friends, or simply people-watch. Situated under lavish palm trees and the hotel’s decorative sun emblem, The Lobby is one of the best places for people to hang out or catch up.

However, if the only thing you’re after is good halo-halo, then there are plenty of other restaurants that are likely to give you a similar taste experience.

The Lobby’s version includes a mix of macapuno, jackfruit, kaong, nata de coco, sweet beans, garbanzos, toasted pinipig, and ube halaya. Topped with a generous portion of shaved ice, ube ice cream, and leche flan, The Lobby’s halo-halo is no doubt delicious – but not spectacularly so. It is reminiscent of other traditional desserts that are served at more approachable price points.

Of course, if you’d like to splurge, then there’s no reason why The Lobby won’t be able to satisfy your sweet tooth. Our favorite part of the dessert was the leche flan, which comes with a burnt caramel taste – a perfect accompaniment to their subtly sweet ube halaya.

Location: The Lobby at the Peninsula Manila, Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, Makati City

MilkyWay Café

MilkyWay has been around for some time, making its debut in the 1950s as a dairy bar. They became popular with their ice cream flavors, which delighted people around the old San Miguel area in Manila. Today, the then-dairy bar now operates two cafes: one on Arnaiz Avenue and one in Power Plant Mall in Makati City, both serving Kapampangan fares to modern diners.

Among their many offerings, the cafe is proudest of their “big and best” halo-halo, as seen from their cafe’s extravagant display of the classic Filipino dessert. Building on their legacy as a favorite ice cream shop in the olden days, this halo-halo's main event is none other than MilkyWay’s classic homemade ube ice cream.

Navigating the sizzling hot streets of Arnaiz Avenue, we dropped by the cafe to get a taste of this beloved halo-halo, and believe us, the walk was worth it! With ingredients like sweetened white and red beans, plump gulaman bits, leche flan, ube, and sweetened banana slices, the jam-packed dessert is a delight to munch on.

But what makes it so irresistible are the toppings: the shaved ice, which, unlike other halo-halos that come with crushed ice, makes it so easy to bite into; the toasted pinipig, which adds a playful crunch; and, of course, MilkyWay's homemade ice cream, coupled with a dash of milk, which gives it an extra creamy texture and taste. All of these are only for P290, giving you a bang for your buck.

Location: MilkyWay Cafe, 900 A Arnaiz Ave, MilkyWay Building, Makati City / Level P1, Rockwell Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive, Estrella, Makati City

Razon's of Guagua

Another place that holds a rich history is Razon’s of Guagua. Known for their authentic Kapampangan food since its establishment in 1972, Razon’s now has multiple branches across the Philippines.

Aside from pansit luglug and ensaymadas, Razon’s also takes pride in their halo-halo. Unlike any other halo-halo made with various colorful ingredients like gulaman and sago, their iteration of the classic dessert is rather simple-looking – but nothing short of sweet!

Even with only three main ingredients, such as sweetened bananas, chewy macapuno bits, and leche flan, plus an accompaniment of finely shaved ice and velvety milk, Razon’s halo-halo did its job: cool us off from the heat and satisfy our sweet tooth. The only downside is its lack of other traditional halo-halo ingredients, but otherwise, if you’d rather opt for something simpler, this version is a must-try.

Razon’s of Guagua’s halo-halo is available for only P160.

Location: Multiple locations

Aling Banang's

Starting from a humble stall with long wooden benches in the 1930s at San Juan Public Market, Aling Banang’s first food item was their halo-halo. Made with saba bananas, sago, red beans, white beans, and green gulaman and topped off with a slice of leche flan, ube, and rice crispies, the karinderya’s take on the dessert is the closest thing to a halo-halo that most Filipinos are used to.

Aling Banang’s halo-halo is the perfect dessert if you’re looking for something refreshing to beat the heat without breaking the bank. They have three options to choose from: Halo-halo Regular (P70), Halo-halo Special (P75), and Halo-halo Ice Cream (P80), and we got the regular one.

The difference between the regular and special? A scoop of ice cream with a dash of cornflakes and some grated cheese! The Halo-halo Ice Cream, on the other hand, has three scoops of ube ice cream instead of ice – so, if you’re not a fan of crushed ice, this one’s the perfect option for you.

One might think that it’s just the typical halo-halo you can get from other stores, but it surely hits home.

Location: Multiple locations

Icebergs

Last on the list, but definitely not the least is Icebergs Halo-halo. They are known for being a dessert haven offering an extensive menu of sweet delicacies like banana splits and parfait sundaes, alongside savory meals. But fun fact, they started as a small halo-halo eatery along Timog Avenue in 1986 – so, you can get a hint of what to expect!

Adding a spin on the traditional dessert, the shop’s halo-halo has shaved ice on the bottom of the glass with the ingredients atop it. With a generous amount of all the ingredients, it’s the next best thing after Bebang’s and Milky Way Café’s versions.

For P195, you can enjoy their halo-halo brimming with various sweets from ice cream to leche flan – with a serving enough to share with a loved one! With red gulaman, corn, saba, langka, melokoton (peach), ube halaya, macapuno balls, and more, you’re sure to taste various flavors in one sitting.

Having multiple branches around the metro, we chose to try their halo-halo from their SM Mall of Asia branch. Aside from their menu, their cozy and Instagrammable interiors catch the attention of many diners. Plus, points for their friendly staff and excellent customer service!

Location: Multiple locations