When the scorching hot summer months come, Filipinos will go places to try out halo halo as an excuse to get some comforting freezing temperature. And one of those places is the well-known Digman Halo Halo area in the town of Bacoor in Cavite.

For context, Halo-halo, which literally means “mixed” in Tagalog (some would rather use the bastardized but rather fun term "mix-mix" that creates a conversation piece), is a popular Filipino cold dessert that is both colorful and delicious, making it perfect for hot weather. It's a delightful mix of shaved ice and evaporated milk to which various boiled sweet beans, fruits, and other goodies are added.

One such area where you can have a taste of the more traditional halo-halo is Digman in Bacoor, Cavite. What makes this place more special is that it is not only one restaurant, but more of a mini district where you can have a choice of dining places that serve their own version of halo halo.

Of course, for this trip, we chose the one that says, Original Digman Halo halo. And we were not disappointed. The shaved ice was not the fine crystals but more of the size that I remember - the thing that i would gnash with my teeth that makes the experience of eating halo halo more fun. The ingredients are traditionally prepared, with the right amount of sweetness. And the evaporated milk, which actually gives the magic in halo halo, is not skimped (which is the usual issue in many places that serve halo halo).

By saying traditional, expect the place to be well, traditional. The restaurants are not fancy with an ambience that seem to bring you several decades back. The customers are mostly locals who have been blessed to be born near this neighborhood. There’s hardly any parking available and the narrow streets serve as the the parking lot. This should make your trip to Digman more interesting and tummy-fulfilling at the same time.

Other Varieties of Halo Halo

Yup, just like the adobo, halo-halo can have an infinite number of variations. These are some of the well-known halo halo brands:

1. Chowking Halo-halo

Chowking, a popular fast-food chain in the Philippines known for its Chinese-influenced Filipino cuisine, offers a Halo-halo that's rich and full of ingredients. Their version typically includes a mix of sweetened beans, fruits, leche flan, ube halaya, and nata de coco, topped with a generous scoop of ice cream. It's quite hearty and is favored for its creamy, milky flavor and the variety of textures.

2. Mang Inasal Halo-halo

Mang Inasal, another fast-food chain in the Philippines famous for its grilled chicken, serves a Halo-halo that emphasizes freshness and a good mix of textures. Their Halo-halo might be simpler compared to others, focusing on key ingredients like ube halaya, leche flan, sago, and a scoop of ice cream on top. It's a refreshing complement to their savory dishes.

3. Razon's Halo-halo

Razon's of Guagua (Pampanga) offers a distinctly minimalist version of Halo-halo, known for its fine shaved ice and fewer ingredients, which typically include sweetened bananas (saging na saba), macapuno, and leche flan. What makes it stand out is the quality and the balance of flavors, with the finely shaved ice melting in your mouth almost like snow. Razon's Halo-halo is often praised for its simplicity and elegance.

4. Jollibee Halo-halo

Jollibee, the Philippines' flagship fast-food chain, known for its joyful mascot and a menu that caters to the Filipino taste, offers a Halo-halo that's sweet, milky, and filled with various ingredients like beans, fruits, ube halaya, and leche flan, usually topped with their signature purple yam (ube) ice cream. It's a delightful mix that aims to capture the essence of a traditional Halo-halo in a fast-food setting.

5. Iceberg Halo-halo

Iceberg's is a well-known restaurant and dessert place in the Philippines that serves a variety of Filipino dishes and desserts, including Halo-halo. Their version is often packed with ingredients, offering a rich mix of textures and flavors, topped with a creamy scoop of ice cream. Iceberg's Halo-halo is known for its generous serving and the quality of its components.

6. Sandosenang Sangkap Halo-halo (12 Ingredients Halo-halo)

This term refers to a Halo-halo variant that precisely contains twelve ingredients, aiming to create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. While not specific to a single establishment, any Halo-halo described as "Sandosenang Sangkap" would feature a curated selection of 12 different components, such as various sweetened beans and fruits, agar-agar, nata de coco, leche flan, and more, all aimed at providing a comprehensive Halo-halo experience.

7. Bebang Halo-halo

This one I haven’t tried yet but it is spreading fast in the social media. I will update this entry when i finally get the chance to try this out.

These are just some of perhaps a thousand variations of the Filipino halo halo. I can assure you that when you go into a summer food quest, you can find a restaurant or a stall that the locals would be proud to show off to you as their best halo halo place.

What is Special Halo halo

So you see the menu that says regular and special halo halo. The only usual difference really is the topping of ice cream (usually ube or mango flavor). Sometimes, leche flan is included in the special menu. Does it make a difference ordering either regular or special halo halo. Yes, a huge difference! So order that special one.

Homemade Halo halo

Of course, nothing beats a homemade halo halo prepared by your mother, or your Filipino friends, mother. The amount of ingredients, specially the evaporated milk can go insane. But it will be hard though to hunt for that Filipino family who will prepare homemade halo halo as it quite an effort to make in the kitchen. Chowking and Jollibee is just a food app away.

Halo halo recipe

If your culinary expertise or self adventure is challenge and would like to make your own halo halo that will turn your kitchen into something that will trigger your mother to shout to you to clean up after your mess, you can try making this classic halo halo recipe. But first, buy an ice shaver.

Ingredients:

• Shaved Ice

• Evaporated Milk, to taste

• Sweetened Bananas (Saba Bananas)

• Cooked Sweetened Beans (usually red beans or mung beans)

• Sweetened Jackfruit (Langka)

• Macapuno (preserved young coconut)

• Nata de Coco (coconut gel)

• Leche Flan (Filipino caramel flan) - cubed or sliced

• Ube Halaya (purple yam jam)

• Sago Pearls (similar to tapioca pearls)

• Gulaman (agar jelly), cut into cubes

• Cornflakes or Pinipig (toasted rice flakes) for topping

• Scoops of Ube Ice Cream (optional but highly recommended)

• Sugar (optional, to taste)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Before assembling the Halo-halo, ensure all your components are prepared. Cook the beans, sweeten the bananas, and prepare the jackfruit if not using canned. Cook the sago pearls as per package instructions. Make or buy your leche flan and ube halaya. Cube the gulaman. Keep everything chilled or at room temperature, except for the items you'll serve hot, like the sweet bananas, if preferred.

2. Layer the Ingredients in a Tall Glass or Bowl: Start by placing a spoonful of each of the sweet components at the bottom – sweetened beans, macapuno, nata de coco, sweetened bananas, ube halaya, sweetened jackfruit, and gulaman.

3. Add Shaved Ice: Fill the glass or bowl with shaved ice, packing it down slightly. The ice should mound over the top.

4. Pour Evaporated Milk: Drizzle a generous amount of evaporated milk over the shaved ice. Adjust the amount according to how creamy you like your halo-halo.

5. Add Toppings: Top with a slice of leche flan, scoops of ube ice cream (if using), and a sprinkle of either cornflakes or pinipig for texture.

6. Serve Immediately: make your partner or kids put away their fones and shove the halo halo in front of their faces. Provide a long spoon for mixing. The idea is to MIX all the ingredients thoroughly before eating, combining the creamy milk with the sweet components and ice for a refreshing treat.

Remember, the beauty of Halo-halo lies in its versatility. You can add or omit ingredients based on your preferences or availability. Some also include ingredients like sweet corn or even cheese for a unique twist. But I would caution you going beyond the standard recipe. If you haven’t had halo halo yet, you have to introduce yourselves slowly to each other, or you may get turned off by unwanted decadence.

Calories in Halo Halo

Now we go to the hard truth. Halo halo is a calorie bomb. But It's also worth noting that Halo-halo is typically enjoyed as a treat or dessert rather than a daily indulgence, so while it's high in calories, it can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Think of it as a celebratory meal that you only get to taste once in a blue moon.

Now ready for the caloric facts?

Estimating the calorie count for a serving of Halo-halo can be quite challenging due to the variability in ingredients and portion sizes. However, here’s a rough estimate based on a standard serving size with common ingredients. Remember, the actual calorie content can vary widely depending on the specific components and their quantities.

Let's break it down by ingredient, using average values:

• Shaved Ice: 0 calories

• Evaporated Milk (1/2 cup): Approximately 170 calories

• Sweetened Bananas (1/4 cup): About 100 calories

• Cooked Sweetened Beans (1/4 cup): Roughly 120 calories

• Sweetened Jackfruit (1/4 cup): About 60 calories

• Macapuno (1/4 cup): Approximately 100 calories

• Nata de Coco (1/4 cup): Roughly 80 calories

• Leche Flan (1 small slice): About 150 calories

• Ube Halaya (2 tablespoons): Approximately 140 calories

• Sago Pearls (1/4 cup): About 100 calories

• Gulaman (1/4 cup): Roughly 50 calories

• Cornflakes or Pinipig (1 tablespoon): Approximately 30 calories

• Ube Ice Cream (1 scoop): About 145 calories

Adding these up gives a total of around 1,145 calories per serving. This estimate is based on a fully loaded Halo-halo with generous servings of each ingredient. The actual calorie content can be lower or higher, depending on how much of each ingredient is used and the specific products' calorie content. For instance, using less sugar in the sweetening process, opting for light evaporated milk, or skipping some of the sweeter, calorie-dense components like leche flan and ube ice cream can significantly reduce the calorie count.

There you have it! We started with the Digman Halo halo as a tourist destination for food travel, and ended up with making your own halo halo. So whether you travel far and wide, tap on food app on your fone, or create your own, the Filipino halo halo can be one of your sweetest fod experiences.