Rating: 4 out of 5 Falcons
We arrived at the bustling heart of the Cupertino Marketplace, where illuminated shop signs mixed with vibrant restaurants cast a beaming glow over the jam-packed crowd. The swift noon breeze immediately swept over us, carrying the spirit of the Valentine’s season just around the corner.
It was busy all around — people weaved through the gridlocked parking lot and cars trying to navigate the congested lots proved the popularity of the square; however, no restaurant compared to the liveliness of Hui Lau Shan — a dessert shop specializing in mango desserts. Starting at the entrance of the marketplace, we didn’t have to walk far before seeing the winding line of customers stretching far beyond the shop and into the parking lot.
Hui Lau Shan started in Hong Kong as an herbal tea shop selling traditional Chinese herbal jellies and medicinal remedies. The store has since spread to China, Malaysia, the U.S. and South Korea. With its undeniable allure and open seats for two — perfect for you and your valentine — it became obvious: When it comes to indulging in the sweetness of the moment, Hui Lau Shan is the place to go.
While we waited in line, the efficiency of Hui Lau Shan’s customer service became evident — no drink or dessert took more than 10 minutes to prepare. We decided to get two desserts and one drink: the $9.50 Mango Romance, $9.50 Mango Chewy Ball and the $7 Aloe & Aloe Jelly Watermelon Juice.
After placing our order — which we thought was on the pricey side — we settled at a table that displayed the store’s impeccable cleanliness. The light K-pop music playing in the background blended seamlessly with the lively environment, making the wait for our snacks feel pleasantly relaxing.
The first to arrive was our Aloe & Aloe Jelly Watermelon Juice. The drink captured the essence of fresh juice, delivering a refreshing and naturally sweet taste. Besides purely the juice, the drink was filled with long strips of aloe jelly, in addition to two spheres of watermelon fruit floating on the top.
However, after drinking the majority of the cup, we struggled to drink the larger chunks of watermelon and aloe that wouldn’t fit into the straw. Additionally, the pieces of aloe are definitely controversial add-ins, as they leave a strong initial aftertaste. Pro tip: If you don’t want your date to see you struggling to suck the jellies up the straw, we do not recommend it.
We discovered larger pieces of aloe at the bottom half of the Aloe & Aloe Jelly Watermelon Juice.
As the food came, we soon noticed that the Mango Romance turned out to be essentially a reconstructed Mango Chewy ball. Instead of being combined in one large container, however, the Mango Romance came in three separate smaller containers. The only difference lay in how its scoop of ice cream was embedded in a transparent layer of jello. Additionally, the Mango Romance came with a container that consisted of mango slices and a mango mochi.
In terms of taste, the mango fruit itself was less sweet than the Mango Chewy ball, with its sour side dominating the sweet. The chewy balls served as an interesting contrast, providing a warm interruption from the rest of the cold desserts. But the true highlight came in one spoonful of the ice cream and juice; its melting upon the tongue capitalized the vibrant and satisfying taste of mango’s true potential.
Concluding the Mango Romance was the final mango mochi, which upheld the standards of Hui Lau Shan. Unfortunately, the only thing it lacked was its size, as pretty much after one bite, there was nothing left of the mochi.
The Mango Romance (bottom three containers and one of the chewy ball cases), watermelon drink and Mango Chewy Ball (a “combined” and larger Mango Romance.)
It was clear that Hui Lau Shan’s mastery of mango desserts stood as the highlight of the experience. Although the store’s prices leaned toward the higher end, Valentine’s Day is the optimal time to splurge for your partner, and the blend of fresh drinks, flavorful ice cream and chewy balls came together to create a refreshing sensation. For those in search of a rejuvenating dessert, Hui Lau Shan remains an essential destination, where mangoes truly shine. We rate it 4 out of 5 Falcons.
