And so the quest to taste some not-so-common ice cream and ice cream bars found in the Philippines continues. This effort just came out because of so much controversy over the introduction of the Magnum ice cream bars by Selecta, that it has actually caused quite a divide on whether it was just overhyped that it does not justify the price.
So after trying the Binggrae brands of Encho and Melona that some have said might be a cheaper alternative to Magnum, here is another Binggrae ice cream, with its own unique twist.
Binggrae Samanco is not really an ice cream bar, but more of an ice cream sandwich. Check out the lower left of the wrapper. It has ice cream and red bean inside, wrapped in a wafer shaped like a fish. As to why it has to be a fish remains a mystery, and further research is in order for En Route.
This costs about PHP 56.00 in a Korean grocery in Waltermart in Pasong Tamo, Makati City. Opening it up, the fish with the sad face greets you, probably begging that you don’t eat it. But it’s ice cream so of course you just have to 😛
Biting into the Samanco, one will note that the wafer bread will be quite chewy. It doesn’t give in like a crunchy wafer, so bite a bit harder. Also, you will want to eat the Samanco IMMEDIATELY. The ice cream used has a consistency similar to those fast-food Sundaes, so they are very soft and seeps through any small crack. If left to soften up more, you will find the Samanco’s ice cream oozing out like watery goo from all sides.
The read bean can be tasted, but the sweetness of the ice cream can overpower it. There is no mistaking its texture, though.
Kids will probably love eating Samanco as they are fond of eating treats shaped like different common things. It is also great for those who love some bready-wafer-like texture on their ice cream. Makes you wonder, though: wonder if there are other ice cream sandwiches out there in the Philippines that are just ready to be tasted ;)?
Send in some comments or other suggestions of ice creams to try below 🙂
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my fave aside from melona 😀
I guess I really am more into bittersweet chocolate. I still love the Magnum. 🙂 But I’m willing to try the other Melona flavors.
I think this is the brand that was being sold back when I was still a student in DLSU… and man! I loved this! Sure the sweetness is overpowering, but I guess that’s what captured my tastes–besides, I love the red bean paste! ..and heck, this was the sure-beater for my stress on exams :))
As for other ice creams that you should try… hmmm, lemme think about it; I’ll come back and leave a comment if I remember the brand! :))
There really is something about sweets and college students. I guess we needed them to get through the pressure. 😛 I was addicted to McDo’s plain sundae cone. And when they offered it at P5 each? Wow! It was a fiesta for my student budget. 😛
This reminds me of the old drumstick sold in the Philippines where the cone is chewy not crunchy, though I prefer that one
Hehe for me I can’t remember the difference of the old drumstick to the new one 😛
i love salted caramel ice cream from merry moo! they also have unsual flavors like candied bacon, earl grey, and strawberry basil. it’s available in mercato market @ the fort (both day and night sked) and salcedo saturday market @ makati 🙂
Oh yeah 😀 We tried Merry Moo in Yummy Eats a few years ago. The salted caramel is addicting 😀
Strawberry basil? Wooo interesting. What we made, though, is a strawberry basil sangria. A very pretty drink with a refreshing appeal 😉
http://www.lynne-enroute.com/2012/05/24/en-route-how-to-make-strawberry-basil-sangria-cocktail-recipe/