Chongqing Ice Jelly
Chongqing shaved ice is an essential summer treat in this mountain city, offering a refreshingly sweet taste experience with its handcrafted soft texture and variety of toppings.
Traditional methods involve repeatedly kneading ice crystals in cotton bags until they solidify through a lime water reaction. Today, instant ice powder is commonly used instead. To prepare, the ice shavings powder is mixed and set into a gelatinous form. Small portions are scooped into bowls, drizzled with brown sugar syrup, and topped with fermented glutinous rice, hawthorn slices, raisins, crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and other toppings. The brown sugar, simmered slowly over low heat, releases a rich, sweet aroma, while the mellow flavor of fermented glutinous rice complements the cool jelly perfectly.
With each spoonful, the chilled jelly melts instantly on the tongue, blending the sweetness of brown sugar syrup, the tangy-sweet dried fruits, and the crispy nutty crunch—instantly banishing summer heat.
Stalls selling liangfen are ubiquitous on Chongqing’s streets. Especially after indulging in spicy hotpot, a bowl of liangfen is the perfect choice to cool down and soothe the palate.
