Taiwanese Classic Shaved Ice with Sweet Taro and Mung Beans

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Baobing is Taiwan's beloved shaved ice dessert, featuring ultra-fluffy snow-like ice piled high with an array of sweet toppings. This classic version combines creamy taro, tender mung beans, chewy tapioca pearls, and silky grass jelly, all drizzled generously with sweetened condensed milk. Each spoonful delivers a wonderful contrast of temperatures, textures, and flavors that makes it the ultimate Taiwanese summer treat.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (estimated)

• 595 kcalCalories
• 9 gFat
• 3.5 gSaturated Fat
• 118 gCarbs
• 6 gFiber
• 68 gSugar
• 10 gProtein
• 95 mgSodium
• 485 mgPotassium
• 180 mgCalcium
• 3 mgIron
• 8 mgVitamin C
• 35 mcgVitamin A

Ingredients

For the sweet mung beans

• 1 cup dried split mung beans, rinsed
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

For the sweet taro

• 1 lb fresh taro root, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

For the tapioca pearls and grass jelly

• 1/2 cup small dried tapioca pearls
• 4 cups water
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 cup canned grass jelly, drained and cubed

For the ice and assembly

• 2 lbs block of clear ice
• 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk, for drizzling
• 1/2 cup simple syrup, cooled
• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, lightly crushed
• 1 fresh mango, peeled and diced (optional)

Directions

1. Place the rinsed mung beans in a medium saucepan with 3 cups of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until the beans are tender but still hold their shape.
2. Stir the sugar and salt into the cooked mung beans and continue to simmer for 5 more minutes until the liquid reduces to a light syrup. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
3. In a separate saucepan, combine the diced taro with 1 1/2 cups of water and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the taro is fork-tender, then stir in the sugar and butter and cook for 3 more minutes. Set aside to cool.
4. Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a small pot, add the tapioca pearls, and stir immediately to prevent sticking. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until the pearls are completely translucent with no white center remaining.
5. Drain the cooked tapioca and rinse briefly under cold water, then transfer to a bowl and toss with the brown sugar while still warm. Combine with the cubed grass jelly and refrigerate all toppings until ready to serve.
6. Prepare a simple syrup by heating equal parts sugar and water until the sugar fully dissolves, then let it cool completely. This lightly sweetens the shaved ice before adding the toppings.
7. Using an ice shaver or the fine-shave setting of a heavy-duty blender, shave the ice block into a large bowl, working quickly so the ice stays fluffy and snow-like. If using pre-crushed ice, pulse it briefly to achieve a finer texture.
8. To assemble each bowl, mound about 1 1/2 cups of shaved ice into a serving bowl, then drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the cooled simple syrup to lightly sweeten the ice.
9. Arrange generous spoonfuls of the cooled mung beans, sweet taro, tapioca pearls, grass jelly, and diced mango (if using) in colorful sections over the top of the ice. Sprinkle with the crushed peanuts.
10. Finish each bowl with a heavy drizzle of sweetened condensed milk and serve immediately with a long spoon while the ice is still fluffy and pristine.

Cook’s Notes

• For the fluffiest texture, freeze water in a large insulated container for 24 to 48 hours to create a clear, dense ice block that shaves beautifully.
• All toppings can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and stored separately in the refrigerator, making final assembly quick when guests arrive.
• Adjust the amount of condensed milk to your sweetness preference, as traditional recipes use a very generous amount for a creamy finish.
• In peak summer, swap or supplement toppings with fresh seasonal fruits like strawberries, lychee, or pineapple for a brighter tropical flavor profile.
• Serve immediately after assembling, since shaved ice melts quickly and loses its signature fluffy texture within just a few minutes.

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