Mang Guo Bing (Taiwanese Mango Snow Ice)
Local name: 芒果冰
In short: Mang guo bing is Taiwan's mango shaved ice: fluffy, snow-like milk ice piled with fresh mango cubes, mango sauce and a drizzle of condensed milk. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 6 h
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 320 kcal
Mango shaved ice is the great summer treat of Taiwan. Instead of crunchy ice, a frozen block of sweetened milk is shaved into fine, fluffy flakes that melt on the tongue, then heaped with cubes of ripe mango and a smooth mango sauce. A thread of condensed milk ties it together. You do not need a shaving machine, because a food processor makes convincing snow ice at home.
Instructions
- Whisk the milk and the 60 ml condensed milk until blended. Pour into a shallow freezer-safe container, about 20 cm (8 in) square, to a depth of about 2.5 cm (1 in). Freeze for at least 6 hours, until solid.
- Peel the mangoes and slice the flesh from the stones. Cut about two thirds of the flesh into 1.5 cm (5/8 in) cubes and chill. Blend the rest with the sugar and lemon juice into a smooth sauce, then chill.
- Put 4 serving bowls in the freezer for 10 minutes. Break the frozen milk block into chunks and let them stand for 5 minutes at room temperature.
- Pulse the chunks in a food processor in short bursts, 10 to 15 times, until they form fluffy, snow-like flakes. Do not run the machine continuously, or the ice will turn to slush.
- Pile the shavings into the chilled bowls. Top with the mango cubes and sauce, drizzle with condensed milk, and add a scoop of ice cream if you like. Serve immediately.
Tips
- Chilled bowls keep the shaved ice fluffy for longer. Assemble just before serving, because the flakes melt quickly.
- Choose very ripe, fragrant mangoes. If yours are tart, add 1 to 2 teaspoons more sugar to the sauce.
Questions and answers
What makes Taiwanese shaved ice different?
It is made by shaving a frozen block of flavored milk or sweetened water into very thin, snow-like ribbons, rather than crushing ice. The texture is soft and creamy, with no hard chunks of ice.
Can I make mango shaved ice without a machine?
Yes. A food processor works well on the frozen milk block. You can also scrape the block with a fork, though the flakes will be coarser and less airy.
Can I make a dairy-free version?
Yes. Freeze coconut milk sweetened with sugar to taste in place of the milk mixture, and drizzle extra mango sauce on top instead of condensed milk. The ice will be a little firmer.
How long does it take to make Mang Guo Bing (Taiwanese Mango Snow Ice)?
About 25 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mang Guo Bing (Taiwanese Mango Snow Ice)?
About 320 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 55 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 320 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 55 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 48 g |
| Sodium | 90 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
