This quick and easy mango sago recipe is one of my favorite Asian desserts to make during those hot summer days! It combines creamy coconut milk, ripe mango purรฉe, and sago pearls to create a dessert that’s not only refreshing but also irresistibly sweet.
Mango season is back in Thailand, making it the perfect time to try out some of my delicious mango recipes. I recommend serving this sago dessert alongside my recipe for mango shake or ice cream!
Mango sago is a Southeast Asian dessert with coconut milk, ripe mangoes, and sago pearls. It’s an easy-to-make dessert that’s perfect for summer due to its refreshing taste and light texture.
About this dessert
Mango sago is believed to have originated in Hong Kong, China. It was created by a chef at the Lei Garden restaurant in Hong Kong in the 1980s. It’s a popular treat across Asia and one of my go-to recipes for an easy summer dessert.
You can make this recipe with basic ingredients commonly found in Asian kitchens. The only item you might not have on hand is sago pearls.
Sago pearls are essential for making this coconut milk sago dessert. You can find them in almost any Asian supermarket, but be careful not to confuse them with tapioca pearls, which are larger.
The flavor of mango sago is tropical and refreshing. The ripe mango purรฉe offers a sweet and fruity burst, complemented by the creamy richness of coconut milk. The sago pearls add a fun, chewy texture, making it a visually appealing and delicious dessert.
Trust me, it’s the ideal fruit dessert for serving during the warm summer months that are just around the corner!
And you can prepare the mango purรฉe in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve, or you can make the entire easy dessert just before serving, as it’s ready in less than 30 minutes!
Looking for more of those delicious summer fruit desserts? Make sure to save my popular recipes for grilled bananas and agar agar jelly recipe with fruits for later!
Ingredients
Ingredients can be sourced at Asian grocery stores and Asian markets.
The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Ripe mango – The best mangoes to use are ones that are sweet, juicy, and ripe. Varieties like Alphonso, Honey (Ataulfo), and Keitt are excellent choices due to their rich flavor and smooth, firm flesh which blends well into a luscious purรฉe.
- Sago pearls – Sago pearls add a chewy, tapioca-like texture to the dessert.
- Water – For cooking sago pearls.
- Coconut milk – Coconut milk gives the dessert its rich, creamy texture and a natural sweetness.
- Fresh milk – Adding fresh milk thins the coconut milk, balancing the richness with a light consistency.
- White sugar – Sweetens the desserts, feel free to add more or less to taste.
- Salt – A pinch of salt is crucial to enhance and balance the overall flavors of the dessert
How to make mango sago
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Step 1: Boil a pot of water. Add sago pearls and cook for 10โ15 minutes, stirring gently at first and more frequently towards the end to prevent sticking and burning. The exact cooking time can vary, so make sure to check the package for specific cooking times.
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Step 2: When the sago pearls are cooked, turn off the heat and close the lid, cooling down the pearls and allowing them to absorb the remaining water.
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Step 3: Peel your mango. Slice 400g/14oz of mango into big chunks for mixing. The remaining mango will be used for garnishing.
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Step 4: In a blender, combine the large mango chunks, coconut milk, fresh milk, white sugar, and salt. Blend until smooth. Taste and add more sugar if needed.
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Step 5: Slice the reserved mango into small cubes for garnishing.
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Step 6: To serve your sago mango, pour the mango purรฉe into bowls, add cooked sago pearls on top and garnish with mango cubes. Optionally, add a mint leaf for decoration. Enjoy!
Recipe variations
- Mango sago drink: Add more fresh milk to thin out the coconut milk and serve chilled in a glass – it’s a perfect refreshment for hot days!
- Condensed milk: This is a recipe for mango sago without condensed milk, but feel free to add a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk to sweeten the mango purรฉe even more.
Frequently asked questions
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Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this mango sago recipe is gluten-free as it uses sago pearls, mango, and coconut milk, which are all naturally free of gluten.
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Is this recipe suited for meal prep?
Yes, mango sago can be prepped ahead and stored in the fridge, making it a convenient option for meal prep. It remains fresh and tasty for up to 3 days.
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Are tapioca and sago the same?
No, tapioca and sago are not the same. Tapioca pearls are made from cassava root, while sago pearls are made from the pith of various tropical palm trees. Both are used similarly in desserts but differ in origin and composition.
More Asian dessert recipes
- Thai coconut custard
- Khao tom mud (banana sticky rice)
- Shaved ice
- Lod chong
- Bua loy (rice balls in coconut milk)
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Easy Mango Sago Recipe
Ingredients
- 80 g sago pearls, see notes
- 700 ml water
- 2 medium-sized ripe mangoes, 17oz / 500g
- a pinch salt
- 50 g white sugar
- 150 ml fresh milk
- 50 ml coconut milk
Instructions
- Boil a pot of water. Add sago pearls and cook for 10โ15 minutes, stirring gently at first and more frequently towards the end to prevent sticking and burning. The exact cooking time can vary, so make sure to check the package for specific cooking times.80 g sago pearls, 700 ml water
- When the sago pearls are cooked, turn off the heat and close the lid, cooling down the pearls and allowing them to absorb the remaining water.
- Peel your mango. Slice 400g/14oz of mango into big chunks for mixing. The remaining mango will be used for garnishing.2 medium-sized ripe mangoes
- In a blender, combine the large mango chunks, coconut milk, fresh milk, white sugar, and salt. Blend until smooth. Taste and add more sugar if needed.a pinch salt, 50 g white sugar, 150 ml fresh milk, 50 ml coconut milk
- Slice the reserved mango into small cubes for garnishing.
- To serve your mango coconut sago, pour the mango purรฉe into bowls, add cooked sago pearls on top and garnish with mango cubes. Optionally, add a mint leaf for decoration. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
- Ripe mango – For making mango sago, the best mangoes to use are ones that are sweet, juicy, and ripe. Varieties like Alphonso, Honey (Ataulfo), and Keitt are excellent choices due to their rich flavor and smooth, firm flesh which blends well into a luscious purรฉe.
- Sago pearls – These are essential for making this coconut milk sago dessert. You can find them in almost any Asian supermarket, but be careful not to confuse them with tapioca pearls, which are larger.
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