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    Home » Recipes » Filipino Desserts and Kakanin

    Mango Sago Recipe – Filipino Dessert

    by Jolina | Published: May 27, 2020 | Last Updated: April 5, 2021 | 20 Comments
    This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.

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    Mango Sago
    Mango Sago
    Mango Sago
    Mango Sago

    Mango sago is a refreshing dessert you’ll want to make all summer long. Made of fresh sweet mangoes, sago or tapioca, milk and cream, it’s easy to make and so good. Perfect in this summer heat!

    (If you love mangoes, you will love this mango float or mango graham cake recipe. Easy to make, even easier to eat!)

    Mango Sago
    Jump To hide
    Ingredients for mango sago recipe
    How to make mango sago dessert
    Is sago and tapioca the same?
    How to cook sago or tapioca pearls
    What does sago taste like?
    How long does sago stay fresh?
    Other mango recipes
    Mango Sago Recipe

    Wikipedia will tell you that the OG mango sago dessert actually originated from Hong Kong (mango pomelo sago). When it eventually found its way to Philippine kitchens though, it lost the pomelo and became a much simpler dish.

    Some recipes call for coconut milk but we usually just make ours with evaporated milk, table cream and a little condensed milk. You can cook the sago or use pre-cooked ones; what’s more important is you use sweet, ripe mangoes.

    Philippine carabao mangoes are the best but any variety works. We get ataulfo mangoes here and they’re awesome for this recipe too. Let’s get cooking!

    Ingredients for mango sago recipe

    Mango Sago

    To make mango sago, you’ll need:

    • Ripe mangoes — one you’ll puree and the others you’ll dice
    • Sago or tapioca pearls
    • Evaporated milk
    • Table cream*
    • Condensed milk

    *Ideally, you’ll want to put Nestle cream, which is a kind of thick, sweetened cream that Filipinos put on buko salads and other cold desserts. It’s not easily available here though so I always use table cream and it works just fine.

    How to make mango sago dessert

    Mango Sago

    Making mango sago is so easy you’d want to make it all summer!

    1. COOK SAGO. First thing you’ll want to do is to cook your sago. This would depend on the kind of sago you have — some require almost an hour of cooking while others are done in 5 minutes. I provide more sago cooking tips below. Once your sago is done, put it aside in a bowl of cold water while you work on the rest of your ingredients.

    2. MIX MILK AND MANGO PUREE.  In a large bowl, combine evaporated milk, table cream and mango puree. Stir until fully incorporated.

    3. SWEETEN. At this point you’ll want to sweeten your mixture with condensed milk. How much condensed milk you put largely depends on how sweet your mango puree is. Careful not to put too much though; we don’t want the condensed milk to overpower the mango flavour. I usually put 1-2 tablespoons.

    4. ASSEMBLE. Now it’s time to assemble! Add your cooked sago and diced mangoes into your milk mixture and stir. That’s it! Chill and serve cold.

    Is sago and tapioca the same?

    Mango Sago

    Although the terms “sago” and “tapioca” are often used interchangeably, they are two different things. 

    According to The Spruce Eats: Sago is an edible starch that is made from the pith of an array of tropical palm trees. Tapioca pearls, on the other hand, are made with tapioca or the starch from cassava, a root crop.

    They look similar, taste similar, have a similar chewy texture when cooked, and cooked the same way. They’re often substitutes of each other in recipes too, though not always.

    In this recipe, you can use either one.

    How to cook sago or tapioca pearls

    How you cook sago depends on the kind of sago or tapioca pearls you have. I like the quick-cooking ones (it would say right on the package); plus, those usually have English cooking instructions on the back.

    If you can’t find those, you probably have the kind that needs about an hour to fully cook.

    If you google how to cook sago, you’ll find 101 ways to do it; this is how I do it:

    1. Bring a big pot of water to a rolling boil. I don’t bother to measure how many cups of water; I just make sure it’s enough to fully cover the sago or tapioca.
    2. Add the sago slowly and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally so the sago don’t stick to one another.
    3. Switch off the stove and cover the pot. 
    4. Wait another 10 minutes before draining the water and catching the sago in a mesh sieve.
    5. Rinse the sago in cold running water for 15-20 seconds.
    6. Place the sago back in the pot, add water and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes.
    7. Repeat 3 to 6 until your sago is fully translucent and chewy but still al dente. 

    I’ve found that how long this process takes largely depends on the brand of sago or tapioca you have. So I really make it a point to look for and buy the quick-cooking ones. They taste the same and perfect for lazy cooks like me. 

    If you have the quick cooking sago, all you’ll need is to follow the package instructions. It’s usually done in 15 minutes or less.

    You also have the option to buy pre-cooked sago usually sold in bottles (like the one I use for making buko pandan). Most brands package the sago in sweet, flavoured syrup so you’ll need to rinse the sago to get that flavour out. 

    What does sago taste like?

    Sago on its own has no flavour. It takes on the flavour that you add to it. For example, some people like to soak it in brown sugar syrup to give it a bit of sweetness.

    How long does sago stay fresh?

    Home-cooked sago becomes hard and rubbery the longer it sits. They’re best eaten the day they’re cooked but still okay to serve the next day. 

    Uncooked sago is good for a few months; just make sure to seal the package tightly once opened.

    Mango sago is such an easy, simple, refreshing dessert or merienda/snack. Sweet, creamy, cold and full of tropical, summery mango flavour. Enjoy!

    Other mango recipes

    Love mangoes but tired of the same old? Here are some mango recipes that’s not a mango shake!

    Mango chia pudding is similar to mango sago but made with superfood chia seeds. It’s just as light, refreshing and easy to make. 

    You only need 2 ingredients for this delicious fresh mango mousse!

    Mango Chia Pudding
    Mango Chia Pudding
    Fresh Mango Mousse
    Fresh Mango Mousse

    And be sure to check this out for a list of delicious, must-try Filipino dessert recipes.

    Mango Sago

    Mango Sago Recipe

    Author: Jolina
    Mango sago is a refreshing dessert you’ll want to make all summer long. Made of fresh sweet mangoes, sago or tapioca, milk and cream, it’s easy to make and so good.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Chilling Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Filipino
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 145 kcal

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowls
    • Pot
    • Mesh Strainers

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 ½ cup sago see notes
    • 3 pcs ripe mangoes puree 1 mango, dice the other 2
    • 1 12-oz can evaporated milk
    • ½ cup table cream
    • condensed milk to taste

    Instructions
     

    • First thing you’ll want to do is to cook your sago. This would depend on the kind of sago you have — some require almost an hour of cooking while others are done in 5 minutes. I provide more sago cooking tips in the post. Once your sago is done, put it aside in a bowl of cold water while you work on the rest of your ingredients.
    • In a large bowl, combine 1 can of evaporated milk, ½ cup table cream and mango puree from 1 mango. Stir until fully incorporated.
    • At this point you’ll want to sweeten your mixture with condensed milk. How much condensed milk you put largely depends on how sweet your mango puree is. Careful not to put too much though; we don’t want the condensed milk to overpower the mango flavour. I usually put 1-2 tablespoons.
    • Now it’s time to assemble! Add your cooked sago and diced mangoes into your milk mixture and stir. That’s it! Chill and serve cold.

    Video

    Notes

    1. The number of servings depends on how small or big your serving bowls or glasses are.
    2. The cook time here is based on me using quick-cooking sago. Your cook time may vary depending on the kind of sago you have. See post for tips on how to cook sago.
    3. Cook ⅔ cup if you’re using small sago or tapioca pearls.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 44mgPotassium: 11mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 219IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 10mg

    Nutritional information are estimates only.

    Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating today!Also tag @iamtheunlikelybaker I’d love to see your creations.

    Happy cooking!

    Did you make mango sago? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

    More Filipino Desserts and Kakanin

    • Ginataang Mais Recipe
    • Calamansi Pie Recipe
    • Flan Cupcakes Recipe
    • Ube Pound Cake
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alice

      January 27, 2022 at 5:35 am

      I want to try making this on the weekend. Can I omit the cream ?

      Reply
      • Jolina

        January 27, 2022 at 9:20 am

        Hi Alice, I haven’t tried it without the cream but I think you can leave it out. Just expect the mixture to be thinner and runnier.

        Reply
    2. Ria

      July 14, 2020 at 4:38 am

      5 stars
      This was so yummy! Thank you for the recipe. A big bowl was gone in 60 seconds.

      Reply
      • Jolina

        July 20, 2020 at 12:57 pm

        That’s how long mango sago lasts in our house too lol 🙂 Glad you liked it Ria!

        Reply
    3. Lydia

      June 15, 2020 at 3:55 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Jolina. To make sago cooking quicker we pre-soak it prior. It cuts the cooking time to half. Hope that helps 🙂 I made mango sago for my kids last weekend and they love it. It’s my fave too. Delicious and easy recipe but I wish I had carabao mangoes 🙂 Have a good day.

      Reply
      • Jolina

        June 16, 2020 at 1:59 pm

        Hi Lydia! Thanks for the tip. And yes, I wish we had carabao mangoes here too!! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Patti

      June 13, 2020 at 12:06 pm

      This looks delicious. I’m not very familiar with recipes from the Philippines, but I was wondering. Is table cream the stuff they call media crema? I really want to make this.

      Reply
      • Jolina

        June 16, 2020 at 1:47 pm

        Hi Patti. I don’t see it often here but the images I see online says ” Media Crema Table Cream” on it so I’m guessing it’s the same!

        Reply
    5. Tess

      June 08, 2020 at 1:27 am

      5 stars
      We use to make this all the time back home. Your right sago takes a long time. First time using precooked sago to make this and it’s still delicious. Mangos are in season now here. I miss the mangos from home but we will make this all summer! He he. Thank you for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Jolina

        June 12, 2020 at 9:35 pm

        We miss the mangoes from home too but find ataulfo mangoes are good too 🙂 Glad you like the recipe!

        Reply
    6. Sam

      June 05, 2020 at 10:01 am

      I love the boba in boba teas so this is right up my alley! Can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
    7. Angela

      June 04, 2020 at 6:28 pm

      So happy to see your recipe. I forgot mango sago but we used to have it all the time growing up. I can’t wait to make it for my kids!

      Reply
    8. Pooja Sharma

      June 04, 2020 at 9:46 am

      Such a sweet and simple recipe and great way to enjoy the amazing taste of mangoes.

      Reply
    9. Purva Bhatia

      June 03, 2020 at 4:29 pm

      Perfect recipe for a lazy summer afternoon! I love sago (we call it sabudana in Hindi). How about adding a couple of mint leaves to it? It will make it even more refreshing I think 🙂

      Reply
      • Jolina

        June 05, 2020 at 10:51 am

        I agree, I think mint leaves would be a refreshing addition!

        Reply
    10. Melanie

      June 03, 2020 at 6:00 am

      This all looks very pretty and it is a nice simple dessert and not too big too…looks yummy

      Reply
    11. Neely Moldovan

      June 02, 2020 at 2:17 pm

      Everyone in my house loves mangos! This is a great idea and sounds delish!

      Reply
    12. Shar

      June 02, 2020 at 7:23 am

      This is a very interesting dessert recipe! I love the taste of sweet mangoes added to sago.

      Reply
    13. Fatima Torres

      June 01, 2020 at 9:45 pm

      This reminds me of a dessert we make in my family. It includes a mixed fruit combination and a condensed milk. Looks similar, but it doesn’t use mango. Might have to give this one a try.

      Reply
    14. Stephanie

      June 01, 2020 at 2:16 pm

      We just got some mangoes in our co-op basket this weekend and I was wondering what to do with them! This looks great and I think my whole family will enjoy this one.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jolina! And I'm definitely a late bloomer, a thoroughly unexpected baker.

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