Mango pomelo sago—a beloved Hong Kong dessert—has been going viral across China for the past month. But the version taking over the feeds isn’t the classic chilled dessert drink you’d find in a dim sum parlor. Instead, food bloggers have deconstructed it into something new: 固体杨枝甘露 (gù tǐ yáng zhī gān lù), or solid mango pomelo sago.
The original dessert is typically served in a bowl or cup. It’s a creamy blend of coconut milk, mango purée, tapioca pearls, and fresh pomelo. It’s one of Cantonese cuisine’s most iconic summer desserts, refreshing, fruity, with a velvety texture.
But the solid mango pomelo sago merges with another of this year’s Chinese food obsessions: 干噎酸奶 (gàn yē suān nǎi), an ultra-thick, Greek-style yogurt that’s dense and scoopable. The yogurt is mixed with coconut milk and juicy pomelo bits, then layered onto a slab of ripe mango. A handful of pomelo sacs is sprinkled on top to finish the bite. The result is a handheld treat with mango’s sweetness, pomelo’s acidity, and coconut yogurt’s creaminess all at once.
The hashtag “固体杨枝甘露” has racked up more than 210 million views on Douyin, with millions of hits on RedNote. Seeing its popularity, major beverage chains have quickly followed suit. ChaPanda reported selling over 250,000 servings of the dessert on the first day it hit their menu.
On RedNote, bloggers have also expanded the trend even further. Wrapping the yogurt mixture in mochi or rice paper, dipping it in chocolate, or transforming it into a Chinese-style thousand-layer cake.
In fact, it’s been a strong month for Chinese food experimentation overall. Another recent internet favorite pairs tanghulu with 奶皮子 (nǎi pí zi), blending crunchy candied fruit with the savory chew of the Mongolian milk skin.
The apple ice cube martini has also been making the rounds among foodies. It’s made by freezing layers of dwarf red apples with slices of ice, creating a deconstructed floating effect. This creative cocktail spin has taken off for its cute presentation and tart flavor.
As these food experiments keep leveling up, which one are you ready to try first?
Cover image via RedNote
