Would you believe it if I told you that my list of boba spots to try has 35 different shops on it? I’m determined to get to all of them to add to the boba tea shops guide that you can read here. Manila Mart was one of the places on that list, and it was exciting to finally check it out.
Manila Mart is a family-owned shop located in Beltsville, MD. They offer homestyle Filipino food and Filipino grocery products. Their menu includes appetizers, meat dishes, noodles, bubble teas, specialty drinks, and desserts. I was so excited to try their bubble tea! I found out that they had halo halo because there’s a sign right outside of their store. I knew I couldn’t leave without trying the halo halo.
WHAT I ORDERED
I loved that their bubble tea menu wasn’t extensive. It really helped make the process of choosing a flavor faster. They offer Coffee Milk Tea, an Ube Shake, Passion Fruit Iced Tea, and more. The toppings include tapioca pearls, leche flan, Oreo, and coconut jelly.
Thai Iced Tea
I ordered the Thai Iced Tea because I’d been craving it lately. I wanted tapioca pearls, but they had just run out. I decided to get the drink with coconut jelly because that topping seemed like it would work well with the Thai Iced Tea flavor.
Thai Iced Tea is traditionally made with black tea (steeped for a long time) and sweetened condensed milk that’s poured over crushed ice. Read more about Thai Iced Tea here.
This Thai Iced Tea was one of the best ones I’ve ever had. I loved that it wasn’t too sweet. The coconut jelly was perfect with this drink.
Halo Halo
Have you heard of Halo Halo? Halo Halo is a Filipino dessert made with crushed ice, evaporated or coconut milk, and other ingredients like ube jam (known as ube halaya), beans, flan, and taro.
I was so excited to finally try this dessert! Manila Mart’s halo halo is made with your choice of ube or mango ice cream (or both) with sweet yam, kamote (sweet potato), palm nut, red beans, white kidney beans, and nata de Coco (coconut jelly). It’s topped with ube halaya and leche flan. I ordered mine with both ice cream flavors.
I loved that there were so many textures. The best way I can sum it up is that this dessert was an experience. Each ingredient complements the flavors so well. I’d absolutely order this again.
CONCLUSION
Run don’t walk to Manila Mart. I loved everything I ordered, but there are so many other dishes and drinks that I can’t wait to try! They also have some cool Filipino grocery items like sweetened condensed ube creamer that I loved adding to my afternoon coffee. The next time you’re in or near Beltsville, MD, check out Manila Mart! I’m sure you’ll love it.
Address: 5023 Garrett Ave, Beltsville, MD 20705
Until next time.
Foodish Ways 