In the first installment of the “10 Asian Sweets You Need To Try” series, we included desserts and sweets from mainly East Asian countries. This time, we're bringing you some of the best treats from South and Southeast Asia! Some of these treats will be sure to cool you off during the hot summer season. If you want, even try making these at home if you’ve got the appropriate ingredients.

1. Halo-halo 

Halo-halo, almost literally translating to “mix-mix” in English, is a popular cold dessert from the Philippines. This dessert consists of crushed ice and evaporated/condensed milk, as well as other toppings and ingredients such as ube, sweetened beans, coconut strips, sago, agar, pinipig, boiled taro, soft yams, etc. If you have several of the ingredients already or are planning to get them, halo-halo is the perfect chilled dessert to cool you off in the summer!

2. Bánh Gai 

Bánh gai, also known as thorn leaf cake, is a Vietnamese cake made mainly from rice flour, thorn leaf paste, sugar green beans, and banana leaves. The cake’s exterior is a dark-colored dough, while the interior is stuffed with a sweet filling, made with mung beans, shredded coconut, sesame and lotus seeds, sugar, pork fat, and flavorings. Before the cakes go to steam, they are wrapped in banana leaves; however, the leaves are not consumed with the cake. Bánh gai is a very common dish served in holidays and festivals, and they require both skill and patience to make.

3. Kyauk Kyaw

Kyauk kyaw is a jelly-like Burmese dessert. This sweet is made with coconut milk, agar-agar, water, sugar, and salt. These ingredients are boiled, simmered, and set at room temperature. After the three steps, the final result should display two layers: a creamy, coconut layer, and a clear, water layer. Some additional varieties include extra ingredients such as food coloring, extracts, or fresh/canned fruit. Kyauk kyaw is enjoyed cold, and is usually cut in squares before serving.

4. Jalebi

Jalebi is an extremely popular snack enjoyed by individuals all over South Asia. Jalebi is made by deep-frying maida flour batter in pretzel or circular shapes, followed by a soak in thick, sugar syrup, which can be flavored with rosewater, saffron, honey, orange blossom water, or cardamom. This crispy and chewy sweet can be served either cold or warm. Although jalebi tastes best fresh, Amazon offers the treat as well!

5. Coconut Pandan Waffles 

Coconut pandan waffles are traditional waffles from Vietnam. These are made with flour, sugar, eggs, tapioca starch, coconut milk, baking powder, and pandan extract. Pandan extract is from pandan leaves, and its flavor is strong, grassy, with hints of rose, almond, vanilla, and coconut. The natural color of pandan extract is green, which can be seen in the pandan waffles. Try making your own pandan waffles at home with this waffle mix! 

6. Nagasari

Nagasari is a traditional rice cake, originally from Indonesia. The sweet’s main ingredients are flour, coconut milk batter, and slices of banana. Like the bánh gai (mentioned earlier), nagasari is wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed until ready to serve. Once the steaming is finished, the rice cake is served slightly warm. Nagasari is enjoyed everywhere around Indonesia, and you can find the treat in most Indonesian food markets. 

7. Red Ruby

Red ruby is a classic Thai dessert that is super easy to create! All you need is water, water chestnuts, tapioca flour, red food coloring, and coconut syrup. The red coloring will help make the water chestnuts appear to be sparkling “red rubies”, which are dunked in icy cold water and coconut syrup to produce the final product: a refreshing dessert that is sure to cool you off in the summer! 

8. Gulab Jamun

Gulab jamun is a popular, milk-based dessert from India. To make this sweet, milk solids are kneaded into balls, and deep-fried in ghee (clarified butter from India). When ready to serve, dried nuts are often paired with gulab jamun to enhance its flavors. This renowned dessert is frequently prepared for weddings and as well as during the Diwali festival. 

9. Bibingka

Bibingka is a Filipino rice cake consisting of rice flour and water. Modern variations of bibingka include additional ingredients such as grated cheese, salted duck eggs, grated coconut, and countless more toppings. Bibingka is a delicacy often served for breakfast, as well as during Christmastime. 

10. Mango Sticky Rice

Last but not least, is the incredibly well-loved mango sticky rice from Thailand. The dish includes steamed rice doused in sweetened coconut milk, accompanied by slices of fresh mango. This tropical rice pudding can be found everywhere in Thailand, served either warm or cold.