Ice-Kachang vs. Halo-Halo

Every true-blue Filipino perhaps will not forget the ubiquitous halo-halo during arid summer days in the Philippines. Every street corner would be a table with jars full of confectioneries for cold halo-halo feast. But, I think Singapore won’t let their hands down with our snow-white halo-halo (which I think colors suits best Christmas) with their Ice-Kachang.

Ice Kachang is similar to our halo-halo with a very different twist. They are the same because Kachang and Halo-halo’s main ingredient is of course, crushed ice. But the original halo-halo ingredients is placed underneath a tall glass, thereafter covered liberally with Ice topped with leche flan and ube dashed with evaporated milk. On the other hand, Kachang would still have some kaong, sweetened beans and gelatins (and more) underneath, covered with not just liberal amounts but heaping, towering ice. The slopes of the ice-tower on your bowl are colored (with natural flavors) green, red, yellow and more. On top of the Kachang would be mango or durian puree, or alternatively, brown sweet beans or mais con hielo. That’s what I call a cold treat!


With no offense meant with my favorite halo-halo. Ice-Kaching is also a winner. I love the tower of ice colored like a mountain with various shades of hues. Plus, mango, durian and coconut are very summer in my taste. The heaping serving of kachang seems to invite you to plunge into a bowl of winter in the hot summer days of Singapore.

I can’t wait until I get to that Kopi Tiam (eatery) and get another bowl of Ice-Kachang or Chendol (description next blog, please), it is so delicious. While I still miss my halo-halo, Ice-Kachang of Singapore provides me the relief and comfort, the welcome perhaps, in this land. Imagining, it’s telling me, “you are very much welcome here…” or at least, I’d like to think it that way. But the bottom line: I just simply love it!