We travel (figuratively speaking) from Cuba to the Philippines for this week’s drink of the week. Located in Harbor mall in Lihue, Halo-Halo Corner delivers a smackdown of delicious drinks and desserts ranging from smoothies, shave ice, iced coffees, shakes
We travel (figuratively speaking) from Cuba to the Philippines for this week’s drink of the week. Located in Harbor mall in Lihue, Halo-Halo Corner delivers a smackdown of delicious drinks and desserts ranging from smoothies, shave ice, iced coffees, shakes and, its most well-known dessert-beverage, Halo-Halo.
Halo means mix in the Tagalog language, so there is no shortage of mixed-ingredients in this fantastic concoction.
When I asked Halo-Halo employee Ida Leasiolagi what the ingredients were in their Halo-Halo, she responded by saying, “Get plenty of everything.”
She wasn’t joking. Its healthy mixture of ingredients is perfect for hot, summer days.
The Halo-Halo consists of evaporated milk, shave ice, cooked-sweet banana, coconut, sugar-plum jam, ube and vanilla ice cream, flan, sweet potato and azuki and other sweet beans.
The Halo-Halo at Halo-Halo Corner is $6 and is consumed in two ways — you drink it in a melted form or eat it as a frozen dessert.
Ida served me Halo-Halo in an ice cream bowl, and I had no idea how to eat it. When I was a kid, I always had it as a drink. When the lines of thirsty people dwindled to nothing, Ida took a break and showed me how to eat and drink this Filipino delicacy.
“You like eat ‘em or drink ‘em slightly melted.” She took a straw, jabbed the shave ice multiple times, then mixed all the ingredients into a drinkable form.
If you haven’t had Halo-Halo before, I would take some time out of your busy schedule and try it out for yourself. It’s summer — you deserve a refreshing treat.
Halo-Halo Corner, 3501 Rice St. in Harbor Mall in Lihue, is open Sunday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (808) 823-6560 for more information.
