Red Bean Ice (Hong Dou Bing)
Red Bean Ice is a popular cold sweet beverage enjoyed in Hong Kong, southern China, and overseas Chinese communities. It is mainly made by combining cooked red beans, milk, sugar, and crushed ice, and is especially popular during the summer. Traditionally served at cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style cafes) and bing sutt (ice rooms), it is also enjoyed with various modern adaptations at contemporary cafes and dessert shops.
- Taste Rating
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- Price
- ? Hong Kong Dollar
- Meal Date
- 11/4/2019
- Food Travel Log
- Caught off guard! The Hong Kong Museum of History has quality worthy of a paid museum but is free, blowing my mind! To fill the gap left by the mind-blowing experience, I sought treatment in the Hong Kong dessert, Hong Dou Bing (Red Bean Ice). A drink with milk and red beans, with a pleasant texture. If the milk had been more integrated, it would have been a romantic affliction.
AI Gourmet Analysis
Overview
Red Bean Ice (Cantonese: Hondouben, English: Red Bean Ice) is a representative type of iced dessert and beverage in Hong Kong and the South China region, enjoying particular popularity during the summer months. The main ingredient is boiled adzuki beans (red beans), which are poured into a glass together with cold milk or evaporated milk, syrup or condensed milk, and crushed ice, and then mixed to drink. The faint sweetness of the red beans, the richness of the dairy, and the refreshing sensation of the ice harmonize perfectly, and variations of this treat are enjoyed not only in Hong Kong and Southern China, but also in places like Taiwan and Malaysia. While Red Bean Ice is typically served as a cold drink-style dessert, it can also be presented shaved-ice style or even as a gelato.
History and Development
Although the precise origins of Red Bean Ice are unclear, it is believed to date back to the early 20th century in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, specifically in establishments such as “bing shi” (ice rooms) and “cha chaan teng” (Hong Kong-style cafés). The dish originated from combining familiar sweet ingredients, easily available milk, and crushed ice, in the context of Hong Kong's spreading modern beverage culture and the introduction of refrigerators and ice-based treats. With the globalization of the economy, the combination of red beans and dairy has evolved according to region and era. For example, in Hong Kong, evaporated milk (unsweetened condensed milk) or sweetened condensed milk is often used, but in contemporary cafés and snack shops, milk or soy milk may be substituted.
Furthermore, similar cold desserts using red beans (e.g. Taiwanese hóng dòu niú nǎi bīng, Malaysian ais kacang, etc.) can be found throughout other Chinese-speaking regions and Southeast Asia, each evolving their own distinct style.
Main Ingredients and Preparation
| Ingredient | Characteristics & Role |
|---|---|
| Boiled Red Beans (Adzuki Beans) | Cooked thoroughly with sweetness, they provide the main texture and flavor. |
| Milk Products | Evaporated milk and regular milk are commonly used, but modern variations include soy milk and almond milk. |
| Syrup or Sugar | Sweetness is adjusted to taste; sometimes brown sugar or honey is used for variation. |
| Crushed Ice | Adds chill and texture. |
| Additional Toppings (optional) | Jelly, vanilla ice cream, coconut jelly, fruits, and other diverse toppings have become popular in recent years. |
The basic preparation involves sweetening and cooling the boiled red beans, then layering them in a glass with crushed ice, milk products, and syrup. Traditionally, it is enjoyed by mixing with a spoon or straw as you drink.
Cultural Significance and Modern Red Bean Ice
In Hong Kong and other metropolitan areas of Greater China, Red Bean Ice is a beloved summer refreshment or tea-time dessert. For many, it evokes nostalgia as a “taste of old Hong Kong.” Beyond traditional eateries such as cha chaan teng and bing shi, modern cafés have created their own innovations. More products are now available with reduced sugar and calories, or catered to vegan preferences.
In recent years, there has been a surge of creative customizations targeting younger generations, such as health-conscious and visually appealing presentations for social media. Amid the global boom of Asian desserts, Red Bean Ice frequently appears in Japanese and Western-based Chinese cafés too, and often crosses over with Taiwanese shaved ice culture.
Hong Kong Museum of History and Red Bean Ice
The Red Bean Ice featured here was served at the Hong Kong Museum of History. The museum is widely appreciated for its multifaceted exhibits showcasing the history and everyday culture of Hong Kong, where East meets West. The in-house café and dining area feature menus that enable visitors to experience “old Hong Kong,” with Red Bean Ice being a particularly popular example.
Enjoying Red Bean Ice alongside history transcends it from a mere dessert to a symbol manifesting Hong Kong’s cultural identity and communal memory.