Selling cold desserts should always work in hot hot Singapore, and what’s more with the sudden popularity of Taiwanese shaved ice and glass jelly desserts. Bing Bian 冰变 with the tagline “an affair with ice” is another Taiwanese-style shaved ice dessert place that has gained some notice recently. (Read: Blackball at Star Vista)
I am a huge fan of Taiwanese desserts, and that includes all kinds of ‘chua bing’ (shaved iced “Hong dou! Da hong dou! Yu tou. Chua chua chua…”), taro balls and beancurd. So I am VERY particular when it comes to yu yuan (taro ball) desserts. Just feel like flying over just thinking about it. (Read: Dong Qu Fen Yuan at Taipei and Anping Bean Jelly at Tainan)
The owners Boon Tuck and Gary said that they loved the yu yuan in Jiufen so much that they wanted to recreate it. I am amazed with the amount of effort and time they put into R&D, because they did not simply just buy off any recipe with money, but learnt to make it through months of experimenting.
The Yu Yuan series ($4.90 per owl) comes with shavings of different flavours such as soya, peanut, sesame, taro, green tea and red bean.
The interesting thing is most shops would shave the ice on the spot, while theirs is already shaved, flavoured and placed into containers. Yes, you order them as you would an ice cream, in which the ice would be scooped and placed into a bowl. Fascinatingly, the shaved ice still remains smooth and not-clumpy.
Perhaps it was because I am too used to the traditional Taiwanese style of desserts, Bing Bian’s version caught me by surprise. While their yu yuan actually tastes quite close to the ones I had in Taiwan, the entire combination felt let down by some of the ingredients and flavours. I really feel to do this well, every single ingredient has to be spot on.
Which is why I feel they should focus on their Fruit Series ($4.90) which is so much better, and more unique to them. The Calamansi Ice is very refreshing, slightly tangy and provides a ‘kick’ you would need for a lethargic afternoon, coming topped with fresh calamansi, fried cranberries, jelly and almond flakes.
My foodie friend Melody loved the Mango Ice Set, especially the ‘mango pops’ that creates a, well, popping sensation as you ‘play’ with them in your mouth.
Many people sweat too easily, and main relieve is to hide at some air-conditioned mall and grab an ice-cold drink or dessert. I think Bing Bian has what it takes, after some refinement and perhaps focusing on more real-fruity desserts. Who knows, if shaved ice is going to be the next Singapore food craze?
[Giveaway Ended] Bing Bian Vouchers Giveaway!
Bing Bian will be giving away a total of 20 sets of vouchers (each worth $13) to 20 Blessed DanielFoodDiary.com readers to enjoy these shaved ice desserts. (10 will be given via this blog, the other via FB.)
All you need to do is to
Step 1: LIKES the FaceBook page of DanielFoodDiary.com
Step 2: SHARE this post on Facebook or RETWEET on twitter
Step 3: COMMENT below to name your favourite shaved ice dessert (Do include your email add)
Results will be announced 11th March (Mon).
Bing Bian 冰变 An Affair With Ice
Millenia Walk 9 Raffles Boulevard #01-105 (Promenade MRT) Singapore 039596, Tel: +65 6337 1391
Opening Hours: 11am-9pm (Mon-Sat), 11am-8pm (Sun)
Also at: Peace Centre #01-39/43 Singapore 228149 (Dhoby Gaut MRT) Tel: +65 6338 9475
Other Taiwanese Entries
Blackball (Star Vista)
Hot Star Fried Chicken (City Square Mall)
I Love Taimei (Bugis Village)
Xi Men Ding (Vivocity)
Sophisca (Taiwan)
My Favourite Shaved Ice Dessert is Ice Kachang? With LOADS of Red Bean !! ^^
My fav is mango ice set! Yum yum
samnlk@hotmail.com
Mango Ice Set for me please!!!! SLURP! !
Email: shenny@live.com.sg
Mango ice!
Mango Ice Set
Mango Iceeeeeeeeee <3 with load of mangos!
Liked and shared on fb! UN: Jandy Tan
My favorite is calamansi ice
shoppinggummies@gmail.com
My favourite = Calamansi Ice!
Mango Ice Set
Mango Ice Set
My favourite is The Calamansi Ice.
yeucharnglai@yahoo.com.sg
My favourite is Yu Yuan Series. ^ o,^/
ericatansl@yahoo.com.sg
I would like to top it with overflowing of mango pops. Popping them into the throat on a hot melting noon would be perfect! <3
Its the Mango Ice Set!
My favourite is the Mango ice set
lyrennaloh@hotmail.com
Fruit Series
My favourite is Yu Yuan Series!
/drools all over.
snowyhusky246@gmail.com
My favourite is Yu Yuan Series!!!
/drools all over
The Yu Yuan series.
coldkohmew@hotmail.com
Love the Mango Pops so it’s gotta be Mango Ice Set for me!
My favorite is the Yu Yuan series. Red bean & green tea shavings (Y)!!!
Red bean & green tea shavings
My favourite is Mango Ice Set, especially the ‘mango pops’ that creates a, well, popping sensation. lim_eng_keat@hotmail.com
My favourite is Mango Ice Set because it is cooling and sensational filling with a heavy doses of magic flavour
My favourite is Mango Ice Set.
laitongping@yahoo.com.sg
My favourite is The Yu Yuan series! Yumm yumm!
The yu Yuan series!! Taro Shaved Ice!!!
I would really love to try the Yu Yuan series because it has all the yummy sweet bits and goodness in one wholesome bowl!
Yeah!
PICK ME!!!
i’m awfully torn between Calamansi Ice and Mango Ice Set because both are equally unique with a refreshing twist! Perhaps I should just try both and share them with the boyfriend! After all, no one can ever resist chilled desserts on a Sunny island.
email: jesslynfong@gmail.com
Mango Ice Set for the pop!
gotta be mango ice set!
cindyc29@yahoo.com
My Favourite Shaved Ice Dessert is The Yu Yuan Series!
Liked & Shared! My Favourite Shaved Ice Dessert is The Yu Yuan Series!
My fav is Mango Ice Set.
My favourite is Mango Ice Set
My favorite would be the Yu Yuan series.
<3
achromatism@gmail.com
Yummy calamansi ice!!!!
Mango ice
Mango Ice Set for my mangolicious crave:)
I LOVE Mango Ice Set!!!!
Liked & Shared! My Favourite Shaved Ice Dessert is The Yu Yuan Series!
Mango Ice
Email : tonyong88@gmail.com
Any of the Yu Yuan series owls please
($4.90 per owl)
like and shared
Yu yuan series is the best:)
ensel_chua@yahoo.com
mango ice set is my favouriate shaved ice desset.
My fav is the Durian Set!
My favourite is The Yu Yuan series
Email : joeanneshim@hotmail.com
My favourite is Mango Ice Set !
Email : alantanchoonchai72@gmail.com
Would definitely wish to win the Mango Ice set that my girlfriend is gonna love so so much! <3
Mango ice!
Mango Ice Set.
Fruits set
Fruit set
Durian Set!
My favourite is the Mango Ice Set.
Mango ice!
mango ice set
Mango ice set!
Calamansi Ice! Good for refreshing in this hot weather!
Durian Set!
I love the Yu Yuan in Jiufen too, hence their Yu yuan series appeal to me!
Email: bridgetpeh@yahoo.com
loved the Mango Ice Set
My favourite is Yu Yuan Series
Mango Ice Set
mango ice set
Yu Yuan series! Yummy!
Mango Ice Set!!!
Yu Yuan Series (Peanut Ice Set)
This bowl of goodness contains all my favourite chewy-tables! Would never have thought how peanut shaved ice and taro+sweet potato balls make such good marriage….. It’s just so divine.
(pick me maybe?)
^^
I love to try the taro balls!!! Want it so badly!!
retweeted on fb and twitter!!
Would love to try the Yu yuan series!!! Totally in love with taro balls!!! Can’t wait to try them and win some vouchers ^.^
liked and shared!
would love to try the taro balls!
thx thx
Congrats to MenMen Ang, L Yu Xiu Lyrenna, Koh Jun Jie Jason, Ong Pei Wen, Keax Liao, Alan Tan Choon Chai, Jovinne Sham, Cheryl Phoebe, Jandy Tan, Apple (Sugary Apples), Jocelyn Dandan, Jennie Cat, Michhysaurous BelleBelle, Fu Qizhuang, Jacky Choi, Dave Lim, Chin Oi Lin, Claudia Ng, Lim Yingyan, Clarissa Wong,
You have each won a Bing Bian voucher which can redeem two iced sets and two drinks! Please email DanielFoodDiary@gmail.com with your Name, Add and Subject Heading “Bing Bian”.
Congrats and have a cool day everyone!
of course the yu yuan series!
Thanks for picking and say hi to Melody~