1. Origins in Southeast Asia: Pandesal and Pandan Flavors

• Philippines: In the Philippines, a popular street snack known as the pandesal ice cream sandwich uses soft, slightly sweet pandesal bread as a base.
  • Vendors fill these rolls with scoops of brightly colored ice cream, usually in flavors like ube (purple yam), mango, and coconut, which are unique to the Philippines.
  • This likely emerged in the 20th century as street vendors began experimenting with ways to make ice cream more portable in the tropical heat.
• Singapore and Malaysia: Similarly, ice cream sandwiches in Singapore and Malaysia use fluffy white or colorful rainbow bread as the “sandwich” layer.
  • Flavors like pandan, sweet corn, and durian are popular, showcasing local tastes.
  • This variety of ice cream sandwich became popular in the mid-20th century, sold by street vendors from carts and quickly became a nostalgic favorite.

2. Taiwan’s Gua Bao-Inspired Ice Cream Sandwich

• In Taiwan, ice cream is sometimes served in a gua bao-style bun, similar to the famous pork belly buns but with a twist: it’s filled with sweet flavors.
  • The ice cream, often topped with peanut crumbles and cilantro, is wrapped in a soft white bun, creating a unique sweet-savory contrast.
  • This type of ice cream sandwich likely evolved in Taiwan’s vibrant street food scene in the latter half of the 20th century, with innovative vendors reimagining traditional buns in dessert forms.

3. Japan’s Monaka and Mochi Ice Cream Sandwiches

• Monaka: In Japan, the monaka ice cream sandwich uses a crisp, wafer-like shell made of rice flour, traditionally filled with red bean paste. Over time, ice cream became a popular filling in flavors like matcha (green tea), vanilla, and adzuki bean.
  • This style dates back to the early 1900s when monaka wafers were adapted from traditional Japanese sweets to hold frozen treats, catering to Western influences in Japanese dessert culture.
• Mochi Ice Cream: Mochi ice cream, often considered a type of ice cream sandwich, consists of chewy rice dough wrapped around ice cream.
  • While mochi itself is centuries old, mochi ice cream was popularized in the late 20th century in Japan and the U.S., combining traditional rice cakes with ice cream to appeal to both Japanese and Western palates.

4. Hong Kong’s Sweet Egg Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich

• In Hong Kong, gai daan jai, or egg waffles, are a beloved street food that has been creatively adapted to form ice cream sandwiches. The waffle is folded around scoops of ice cream and served as a cone or sandwich.
  • This concept began to gain popularity in the 2000s as street food evolved into gourmet dessert offerings, with flavors such as matcha, taro, and black sesame making their way into ice cream fillings.

5. Korean Ice Cream Sandwiches: Fish-Shaped Bungeoppang

• In South Korea, bungeoppang is a fish-shaped pastry filled with sweet red bean paste and, more recently, ice cream.
  • Korean ice cream brands adapted this fish-shaped dessert to create frozen treats by adding ice cream as a filling instead of, or alongside, red bean.
  • This innovation gained popularity in the 1990s, and flavors like matcha, vanilla, and chocolate have since been introduced.

6. Vietnam’s Bánh Mì Ice Cream Sandwich

• In Vietnam, ice cream sandwiches use bánh mì, the country’s famous baguette. Typically, scoops of coconut or durian ice cream are placed inside a split baguette, sometimes topped with crushed peanuts or sweetened condensed milk.
  • This originated in the 20th century when French baguettes were introduced to Vietnam, blending French and Vietnamese influences. This adaptation allowed locals to enjoy ice cream on the go in a more filling, portable form.

7. Singapore Ice Cream with Bread

• In Singapore, a popular and nostalgic treat known as ice cream loti features scoops of ice cream served between slices of soft white or colorful bread.
  • Common flavors include classic vanilla, chocolate, and uniquely local options like green pandan, sweet corn, or even the bold taste of durian.
  • This street food became popular in the mid-20th century, often sold by vendors who would slice the bread and press it around the ice cream, creating a delightful, portable dessert option that embodies Singapore’s diverse culinary influences.

The Influence of Asian Ice Cream Sandwiches Globally

The Asian ice cream sandwich has transcended its regional origins, especially in the 21st century as Asian flavors have become popular worldwide.

Cafés and ice cream parlors globally now offer these traditional flavors with contemporary twists, like mochi ice cream or matcha ice cream in a sandwich format.

Many Western cities with large Asian communities have embraced these desserts, adding their own spin to reflect local tastes.

SUMMARY

Asian ice cream sandwiches reflect a beautiful fusion of traditional flavors and modern adaptations, highlighting the rich culinary heritage of the region.

From the Filipino pandesal ice cream sandwich to Japan’s monaka and mochi ice cream, each version tells a story of adaptation and cultural influence.

Today, they continue to evolve and inspire new versions, bringing the refreshing flavors of Asia to dessert lovers everywhere.