Which halo-halo store is your favorite?
Have you ever tried the famous halo-halo dessert?
It’s definitely a must-try when in the Philippines as it is one of the most popular Filipino desserts.
The name translates to “mix-mix” because of its unique combination of ingredients, consisting of sweetened beans, leche flan, jackfruit, nata de coco, ube ice cream, and more.
When blended together, it creates a symphony of flavors that is hard to resist.
It’s not hard to find a halo-halo store in Cebu, as many establishments provide different delicious and affordable versions of this dessert. Simply look up “halo-halo store near me” and you are sure to find one.
Many small-scale street stalls offer this tasty treat at a budget-friendly price. You can also pair it with Filipino street food favorites like tempura, fish balls, and fries.
It’s easy to see why many Cebuanos crave this dessert. You can even find it in the dessert menu of several restaurants like Chowking, House of Lechon, Gerry’s Grill, and more.
But if you’re looking for some halo-halo store staples, you can never go wrong with the following.
- Melton’s Halo-Halo
Melton’s Halo-Halo is a popular halo-halo store that’s been around for years, first opening in Pardo, with secondary branches in Labangon, Minglanilla, and Talisay City.
For less than Php 100, you can enjoy a creamy mixture of shaved ice infused with evaporated milk, topped with jackfruit, coconut shavings, sweetened mango, corn flakes, peanuts, and more. They are sold either in a tall glass or in a bowl with two scoops of ice cream.
Melton’s is simple, nostalgic and familiar to anyone who enjoys a serving of this iconic dessert.
- Monbis’
Many have considered Monbis’ to have the best halo-halo in Cebu since it takes the traditional recipe and adds even more flavor to it. Aside from the sweet jackfruit bits and plantains, they add sweet toppings like sprinkles, chocolate syrup, and wafer sticks.
Their shaved ice is infused with coconut water and milk for a creamy consistency that melts in your mouth when mixed in with all the other halo-halo ingredients.
Monbis’ is a go-to dessert shop for Filipino street food as well, since it’s located in Cebu’s siomai capital, Tisa. You can visit the original branch on Katipunan Street. They are open from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM.
- Joanna’s Halo-Halo
Believe it or not, this halo-halo store recently won Sunstar Cebu’s Best Halo-Halo award, and it’s easy to see why.
They are famous for experimenting with various flavors outside the classic recipe. Notably, they are the innovators behind the milk tea halo-halo, which has boba pearls as part of the ingredients.
Joanna’s is tucked in a residential area in Banawa, right across from the Matias H. Aznar Memorial (MHAM) College of Medicine. It is a short walk away from the main highway. They are also available on Foodpanda.
- Ice Castle
Longevity is another big factor to a successful business, so Ice Castle is definitely a name worth mentioning. Arguably the biggest name on the list, this Cebuano cafe is known to be the first halo-halo store in the city.
It first opened at the Raintree Mall in the early 90s, soon opening branches at Ayala Center Cebu, SM Seaside, and SM City Cebu. For many early Cebuanos, this is the gold standard for halo-halo due to its simple but timeless flavor.
While most halo-halo stores use ube ice cream, Ice Castle lets customers get creative by giving them the option to choose the ice cream flavor. Popular flavors include vanilla, strawberry, and mango.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A HALO-HALO STORE IN CEBU
Halo-halo will always be the perfect dessert to combat the hot weather in the Philippines.
Aside from its affordable price, it’s easy to find a local halo-halo store that can serve you this delectable treat. Once you have a taste of a perfectly made halo-halo, you’ll understand why it’s become a staple Filipino dessert.
