Eat of the Week: A Cheesy Halo-Halo in Bicol That Begs for Second Helpings

Over the top for all the right reasons, this classic summer treat overflows with ingredients, crowned by grated cheese, and demands repeat orders each and every day you find yourself in Naga or Albay. Locals swear by it, and travelers can't help but fall in love with this decadent dessert when they find themselves in Bicol.

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DJC Halo-Halo & Snack Inn gets its name from the initials of owner Domingo Clutario. The eatery has been around since the 80s and Clutario is credited for his famously cheesy version of the iconic Filipino icy dessert (they say the recipe used is still the same as day one!). What makes DJC's halo-halo especially memorable is not only the final embellisment of soft grated cheese (it's childhood cheese, really — the supermarket kind we grew up with served in pandesal). The toppings for a DJC Halo-Halo is so generous, it takes up more space in the bowl than the shaved ice.

This dessert comes in three different sizes, but the 'everything on it' variant is the DJC Halo-Halo Supreme, which comes with a scoop of ube ice cream. You get the classic toppings like saba (sweetened bananas), gulaman (red gelatin), sago, and corn. But what really stands out here is the extremely creamy leche flan, less gelatinous, and the ube halaya that had a chunky yet creamy texture (rather than thick, peanut butter-like that is more common in ube jam sold in jars).

Grab a spoon and spear the halo-halo in the middle, then dig and mix to get all the components to turn into this beautifully messy purple soup. Every sip and bite becomes so delightful and different because of its extra creamy texture and the pops of salty-sweet, thanks to the cheddar cheese.

It's a wonderful experience to share a bowl mid-afternoon with a friend, spoons fighting to dig in to the last few icy sips. The supreme size is ideal for sharing, but with the summer heat scorching palates harder, don't be surprised if you wolf down this halo-halo on your own and begin to already plan when you'll visit Naga next for another fix of this dessert (#sorrynotsorry).

The Dish: DJC Halo-Halo (P90/Supreme, P75/Special, P55/Midget)

Where to Find it: DJC Halo Halo & Snack Inn, with branches located in Naga (Magsaysay Road) and Albay (Tabaco, Tiwi, and Legazpi). #DJChalohalo