As the local Asian restaurant scene continues to grow, our options for Asian desserts become more abundant. Searching the city for the best Far East frozen sweets, I found what I was looking for in two areas—the Chinatown district on Spring Mountain Road, of course, and Rainbow Boulevard south of the 215, which is quickly becoming a “Little Chinatown” with exciting Asian eateries opening all the time. Here are four unique and delicious treats from those neighborhoods, perfect to cool you off in the last days of summer.
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Black Sesame Sensation at SnowFlake Shavery
When a restaurant opens in Raku’s strip mall, it’s expected to have a certain standard of excellence. SnowFlake Shavery fits the bill. It’s head-scratching how SnowFlake gets such deep flavor into the wonderfully light ribbons of flavored ice. The Black Sesame Sensation is both sweet and full of umami flavor, and a mocha-like topping adds texture. I recommend adding strawberry condensed milk to the mix. ($5) 5020 Spring Mountain Road #3, 702-220-7050.
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Ice Kacang with ice cream at Island Malaysian Cuisine
Popular in Malaysia and Singapore, this wild, colorful dessert is a bulked-up version of Filipino halo-halo, a huge bowl of shaved ice topped with a plethora of delicacies. Flavored jellies, sweet corn, condensed milk and red and black beans give you something different with every bite, and a scoop of ice cream adds rich dimension. Big bonus: One ice kacang is big enough to feed four. ($5.50) 5115 Spring Mountain Road #217, 702-898-3388.
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Bambu Special at Bambu Desserts & Drinks
Want a dessert so fresh and fruity, it doesn’t feel like dessert? The Bambu Special pops in your mouth, cleansing your palate and giving you a jolt of energy. An icy base is sweetened with coconut juice and contains yummy bits like tender, thin-sliced coconut, crunchy basil seeds and pandan jelly. My favorite element is longan, a sweet and punchy tropical fruit. ($4.50) 4810 Spring Mountain Road, 702-629-7726.
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Fresh Mango Sensation at Ice Monster Cafe
This quaint new spot already has a nice following, and with desserts like this one, that’s no surprise. This Sensation overloads you with all kinds of mango deliciousness—mango snow fluff (a light and airy shaved ice) is topped with lusciously smooth mango ice cream and delightful, fresh mango chunks. Get a small in a martini glass or share a large, which also comes with panna cotta. ($5.95-$9.95) 7729 S. Rainbow Blvd. #9B, 702-202-4300.
