I have not had charcoal activated frozen yogurt before, so I figured I would give it a try. It's…read morenot self serve, but you do get to choose your toppings. The frozen yogurt came out smooth, creamy, and black. Flavorwise, it was tart, as any other sort of yogurt would be. Toppings gave it a little variety in texture and flavor, but nothing special overall. The yogurt here is cool but gimmicky. At least you'll get a nice Instagram post from it.

I remember seeing this stall while it was still in its "coming soon" state yet it immediately…read morepeaked my interest. The lure of this place is that their yogurt is "activated and charcoal-enhanced". I don't really know what that means and I never thought I'd use the words "charcoal" and "yogurt" in the same sentence but honestly, it works and it tastes good. The yogurt itself has a mild, not overly sour taste like the variety served in other shops. It's made from U.S. premium Greek yogurt and it's fat and gluten free. They don't have flavor choices for the yogurt but you get to pick a choice of one "crunchers", up to two fruit toppings, and one of their homemade sauces. I went ahead and got a cup with Oreo bits, sliced banana, and their Nutella hot fudge sauce. It did not disappoint. I really liked the hot fudge sauce as it was served hot, as it should be. The Oreo bits did their job, adding crunch to the experience and the banana added sweetness to the mildly sweet yogurt. Definitely an experience for those with a sweet tooth, yet don't want to over indulge. Pros -Serving size is pretty decent. I eat a lot and this was almost too much for me. ALMOST. -Awesome in-house made sauces. The Nutella hot fudge was a winner! Cons -The yogurt itself doesn't have any flavor variations. Also, I've heard that you're not allowed to get it plain. You HAVE to get it with toppings. Something purists might not like. -Really pushes the envelope value-wise at ₱185.

I'm sure you're probably sick of me talking about how much I love adventurous flavors... but I do!…read moreI really do. I appreciate culinary creativity when it shows itself. So vanilla, chocolate, strawberry... that's oldschool. Been there, done that even if you're packing gelato. But carmelized fig? Rum cream? Chili chocolate? Yes. By all freaking means, yes. What some people don't know is that there's actually a difference between ice cream and gelato. This, my friends, is good gelato. The flavors come in nice and clear and there's a distinction between each flavor. No two chocolate-based flavors taste the same as no two vanilla-based flavors taste the same. And what about that chili chocolate? It comes off as a rich dark chocolate and you probably start wondering where the chili is then you notice it building as a slow enjoyable burn at the back of your throat that doesn't have you reaching for a glass of water. It's the kind of flavor you dream about for days. And the price! Most places give you a scoop that barely fills the cup but these guys... for what you pay, they give you a really good amount of Gelato. I end up using the cup like a cone. Definitely a great value for your buck.

Mmmm! I love Gelatissimo. It's a chain gelato shop which has loads of stores around the world but…read morethis place tastes really good and authentic. There are a lot of flavors to choose from here, and it's fun because you get to try all the flavors you like before you buy. Usually they keep stock of all of the popular flavors. What's good is that they even have dairy free options! The consistency of the ice cream is always the same. It's really smooth, creamy, and a bit stretchy and chewy - not like the normal scooped ice creams. I love it! Make sure to get lots of toppings on yours. There are lots to choose from - but I'm a fan of the simple chocolate syrup and almonds.

Pasalubong (and the Japanese equivalent omiyage) is a custom deeply integrated into the cultures of…read morethe Filipino and Japanese people, respectively. When someone goes on a trip it is expected that they'll bring back some item specific to the country they travelled - in most cases the pasalubong/omiyage is foodstuff but it can also be unique artifacts or luxury goods. Items are bought in relation to the buyer. When my parents returned home from their Philippines trip they brought with them 2 boxes of custaroons from a stall in one of the newer wings of the Megamall. My cousin bought it for us as one of several pasalubong items. I was intrigued as it combined custard, a dessert I am particularly fond of, with macaroons, which I may or may not be fond of depending on the strength and texture of the coconut flavor. Yes, I'm very aware of the macaron/macaroon difference and I'm referring to the coconut meringue dessert (using the incorrect terminology for the two desserts is one of my big pet peeves). The presentation is beautiful and the custaroons are in these really tiny and cute paper cups. I had one taste and it was exactly how I imagined a custaroon would taste like. The coconut is somewhat toasted and not too chewy and the custard is still the predominant flavor. Apparently they also do another flavor with cheese and that is my preferred flavor because it reminds me of the famed Hokkaido cheese tarts. The "cheese" used is analogous to cheesecake. Many thanks for this delightful, light and tasty dessert. Gonna try to hide these in a hidden corner of a fridge so I won't be tempted to eat all of them in one sitting!

Custaroons is one of famous food gift that can be given in any occasion. It started as a homegrown,…read moredelivery and bazaar business that has opened in major mall stalls. The product that made them known is the custaroons. It is basically custard with a thin layer of macaroons on top. The custard is sweet, rich, and milky combined with the nutty-sweet coconut-ty macaroons created the perfect taste. (Some may find this too sweet, but its just right for my preference.) The best way to have this is with a cup of chamomile/chrysanthemum tea. #TheFoodCrawlers #OngsFoodprints #TheLostDiego

Yogurt. It's like ice cream but healthier, can't say it tastes better but it's a good alternative…read more Been having yogurt since it became a hit in Manila, it's become my comfort food of sorts without the guilt. I discovered Yoh Froz one day when I was looking around Hobbes and Landes. And because it wasn't payday yet, I couldn't afford to buy anything and on days when I can't afford to buy things, I buy food. So, I decided to try the Frookie Sandwich from Yoh Froz. I liked it a lot, it wasn't heavy at all. It was sweet and I felt no remorse from the calories. After all, there's nothing particularly awful or unhealthy about yogurt right? Especially something as good as a Frookie bar. If you ever find yourself in Hobbes and Landes and your wallet seems to be dying of financial sustenance, have a Frookie instead.

Being a frozen yogurt fanatic has made me somewhat of an expert. Key word being 'somewhat', haha!…read moreOr I'd like to think I am. I have tasted my fair share of frozen yogurts around the metro but Yoh Froz (and Frutti Yogurt - it's a tie) has got to my favorite. The yogurt is not too sour and not to sweet. It's just right. It's classic. I've said in the past I'm not an ice cream girl and too much ice cream can be bad for you, but too much yogurt? Nope! It's nutritious AND delicious. It's a win-win situation if I do say so myself. My top 3 toppings are frozen blueberries, kiwi and strawberries. I especially love how you can enjoy your frozen yogurt whilst walking about the store or after shopping or whilst playing board games, LEGO or Jenga at the gaming area of Hobbes & Landes.

Oh my God this gelato was literally LIFECHANGING. Tried it for the first time at SM Aura, ordered…read morethe Ube Velvet and Mango Ube Symphony with a fudge brownie. I did not know my mind would be so blown. First of all, the Mango Ube Symphony is award-winning (according to their menu). I am an ube monster so I ordered the Ube Velvet just because. The fudge brownie also because, hey, I was on vacation. All 3 things that I ordered were de.li.cious. Mango Ube Symphony was a sweet twist of mango with a hint of ube. The Ube Symphony was creamy with actual chunks of ube. The brownie tasted like a more solid brownie batter, if you're into that. I kid you not when I say lifechanging. I braved the traffic to make a second trip to SM Aura before I left the city. PLEASE PLEASE BRING THIS TO THE STATES, SPECIFICALLY SAN FRANCISCO. THANK YOU!

Seriously, this is probably the best Gelato I've had in Manila. I love ice cream, I mean come on…read morewho doesn't? I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream! Bono has seasonal flavors as well, I so miss the cookie monster gelato! Every time I come to the metro I check in to see if the cookie monster has made its way back around the seasons. Their staple varieties are very very good as well, I just fell in love with cookie monster, whether it was the nostalgic name bringing back memories of Sesame Street, or the blue color gelato, it was certainly all good! Their chocolate milo was delicious as well as their California strawberry, honestly it's all good, the mango ube is always a nice treat. Give this place a try, you will be glad you did!

Thinking this was just another over-hyped US-franchised ice cream stores sprouting the Metro. Even…read morewhen my curiosity piqued with so many people lining up in their store in UP Town Center, I was too cynical to try. Good thing I was dead wrong. Trying Rita's for the first time in Greenhills last Saturday, made me realized that Rita's is not just one of those usual ice cream stores. Rita's Frozen Custard seems to elevate soft-served ice cream to a different level with its thick, smooth creamy texture with just a soft light sweetness that cannot be found elsewhere. Some of their treats we were able to try: 1. Premium Fudge Brownie Ala Mode (P180) - A heaven in a cup for chocolate and brownie lover like me. The combination of thick vanilla frozen custard with generous amount of brownie cubes (that were warmed before putting in the cup for that soft fudgy texture) and sweet chocolate fudge drizzle provides a perfect balance of sweet, creamy, fudgy texture and chocolate-y flavor. 2. Regular Halo-Halo Gelati (P150) - It is fun to consume, with Frozen Vanilla Custard on top and buttom layer and Italian Ice halo-halo in the middle with ube halaya, langka, macapuno strips & red beans. I like how the Italian ice feels like a very fine flavored snow, I would love it if it had more of the langka, macapuno and beans inside to break its texture. 3. Regular Ube Cheesecake Ice (P100) - Also a Filipino twist on a classic dessert, with ube halaya mixed in ube ice. 4. Regular Passion Fruit Misto Shake (P160) - Fruity yet creamy. You can really taste the Passion Fruit flavor in it with good balance of creaminess from the liquid Vanilla Custard. 5. Regular Watermelon Frozen Drink and Cantaloupe Frozen Drink (P120) - Their icy drinks are smooth, without big chunks of ice that you get in others, which made it more thirst-quenching. I bit usual as flavor is mainly from syrup but prefer the watermelon flavor. 6. Affogato (P185) - Really, really good! Their frozen Vanilla Custard blends well the fresh shot of espresso. I can really the buzz of their espresso after eating a few spoonful of it. A fun alternative for those who need to stay awake and alert. 7. Aside from the above ice cream and drink treat, they also offer ice cream cakes which they called "Frozen Custard Cakes". We were able to try their Mango Gelati Cake (Mango Italian Ice and Frozen Vanilla Custard topped with rainbow sprinkles) and Cookies & Cream Custard Cake (layer of cookies and cream Italian Ice and Frozen Vanilla Custard topped with Oreo pieces). But what's great about their Frozen Custard Cakes is you can customize it to your liking. You can choose from their different flavors of Italian Ice, Frozen Custard and Toppings to make the cake as unique as you. One whole cake cost only P 1350.00 including a nice box with reusable ice packs. You just need to order one day ahead. Looking forward to go back again to be able to try what other flavors and combinations they can come up with. As Rita's brings frozen dessert to a new dimension of its own, challenging the perceptions and surprising jaded palates of what an ice cream still could be.

So curiosity killed the cat one night, and I decided to find out why Rita's is always so crowded…read more Custard and ice. So, it's not really ice cream? Well, technically speaking, no. The custard (though it looks like ice cream) isn't as cold as a scoop of ice cream, and it tasted and felt more like mousse. It also didn't melt quickly even in the humid summer season. The flavored ice was the best part! It's somewhere between a sherbet and a shake, light and refreshing. It came in all sorts of flavors - cookie dough, cotton candy, blue raspberry, cherry, root beer, strawberry colada, and a whole lot more that I can't put down because they change the flavors every so often. There were several items on the menu and I didn't know what to choose from. The nice fellow at the counter said that Gelatinis were their best sellers, and it turns out those were the swirly twirl thingies that I saw everyone seated at the tables eating. Gelatinis are Rita's flavored ice sandwiched by two layers of frozen custard. I chose cookie dough ice and chocolate custard with extra gummi bear toppings. Funny thing about these toppings - they were at the bottom. I thought they actually forgot to put my gummi bears, but I found them when I got to the last custard layer at the bottom, hahaha! All in all, not bad for P130. I'd fall in line again, especially just to try out all the ice flavors! :)

I am huge fan of green tea ice cream, so that item on a menu board will catch my attention. And so,…read moreDojo Ice Cream in Little Tokyo did. First item on the menu was Green Tea, and i was all poised to get that. BUT! It was followed by Black Sesame...then Wasabi (what?!)...then Wasabi Light...then Miso Sake (WHAT!)...Blue Cheese...Seaweed...oh wow. My adventurous buds were tingling. It took all of my will power to not try to get everything at once. Fortunately, it was pretty expensive and that became a natural control mechanism hahaha. Php 150 for a little 4oz cup! So yes, i chose one first. Black Sesame. Opened it right away. Too hard to get a scoop. So i cooled my heels a bit and waited for it to soften a bit. SO WORTH THE WAIT AND MONEY. It was super rich and creamy, the flavor was intense -- and super loaded with sesame!!! The little tub didn't last too long. Now i can't wait to try the rest of the flavors. More reasons to head to Little Tokyo (more on this later!) PS. They DO have a few safe flavors -- lemon, buttercream, strawberry banana. I will get to those -- after I've gone through the exciting ones.

I truly love Japanese food and it is my favorite cuisine in the whole world. So when an ice-cream…read moreshop offers frozen treats with a Japanese twist to it, all I can say is "Hai!". Located in the middle of Makati's picturesque Little Tokyo is a tiny ice-cream kiosk called Dojo Dairy. With ice cream flavors such as Green Tea, Black Sesame, Wasabi, Miso Sake and Seaweed, to name a few, how can a person with a taste for Japanese flavors resist? Dojo Dairy has a variety of tub sizes available, ranging from 4oz (Php 150), 8oz (Php 270), 16oz (Php 435) and the 32oz (Php 850). So far, my favorites are the Green Tea and the Black Sesame. I've yet to taste the rest but when I find myself in Little Tokyo again, the Seaweed is up next. Interesting flavors make up this interesting kiosk so why not try an interesting taste adventure?

I'm not a big fan of frozen yogurt (for health reasons mostly - fyi this is not real yogurt), but…read moreif I had to choose which among the froyo brands I liked best, it would have to be Pinkberry. Other brands for me try too much to cater to the 'masa', having ice cream tasting yogurt, even bordering on sweet sometimes, conveniently forgetting the fact that yogurt should be sour. Pinkberry has enough tartness to keep me interested and I do enjoy the Pomegranate flavor if the have it. It is painful on the pocket though. At around Php 200 for a few hundred grams, you're better off grabbing something more savory to be honest. But if i did have to choose, it would be pinkberry.

Pinkberry first came to Manila in 2011. It hasn't made a whole lot of waves since then, but I'd…read morelike to think it has a steady stream of customers coming through its doors considering that they've remained open for the last four years. To be honest, I'm an ice cream person. It's rare that I'd choose it over yogurt or gelato, but I do have my days. With Pinkberry, I very much enjoy their plain yogurt coupled with either blueberry and coconut, or with mochi. It makes for a nice, light dessert after a heavy meal or it also works as an afternoon snack. Pinkberry also offers parfaits, smoothies and chocolate yogurt if that tickles your fancy as opposed to the classic plain flavor.