
Mango Pomelo Sago (Yang Zhi Gan Lu)
杨枝甘露 · yáng zhī gān lù
My cousin Mei in Sham Shui Po makes this every August during typhoon season — she says the tart pomelo cuts through humidity better than any air conditioner, and her grandmother always added a pinch of salt to balance sweetness.
Recipe author: HǎoWèi Test Kitchen
Home-cooking research team
Reviewed by HǎoWèi editorial team · Last updated 2026-08-29
Ingredients
- small ripe mangoes (Ataulfo or Champagne variety)小台农/阿特尔福芒果🛒 local350 g
- fresh pomelo segments (membrane removed)新鲜柚子果肉(去白络)🛒 local150 g
- unsweetened full-fat coconut milk无糖全脂椰浆🏮 asian240 ml
- tiny pearl sago (tapioca), uncooked小西米(未煮)🏮 asian60 g
small ripe mangoes (Ataulfo or Champagne variety): Must be fragrant, yielding to gentle pressure near stem. Avoid fibrous varieties like Tommy Atkins.
fresh pomelo segments (membrane removed): Look for pink or red-fleshed pomelo (e.g., Ruby Red) — avoid grapefruit (too bitter) or dried pomelo (too chewy).
unsweetened full-fat coconut milk: Shake well before using. Do not substitute light coconut milk or coconut water — fat is essential for richness.
tiny pearl sago (tapioca), uncooked: Rinse thoroughly before cooking. Cook until translucent with tiny white dot center — overcooking makes them mushy.
🌶️ Adjust to your taste
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Spice level
Saltiness
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Make it vegetarian
Instructions
1Rinse sago under cold water. Bring 600 ml (2½ cups) water to rolling boil in a small pot. Add sago, stir once, then cover and cook on medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
煮西米要盖盖
🔍 Look for Medium-low 15 分钟 · 15 minutesVisual: 西米基本变透明,每颗中心留一小颗白点Sago pearls turn mostly translucent, each with a tiny opaque white dot in center
You know it's right when: 水变微浊、略带粘性Water becomes slightly cloudy and viscous
2Turn off heat. Let sago sit covered for 10 minutes — residual heat finishes cooking. Drain and rinse under cold running water until cool and slippery.
焖+冲凉保Q弹
🔍 Look for 10 分钟 · 10 minutesVisual: 西米晶莹、粒粒分明、弹牙不黏连Sago glistens, separate and bouncy, not clumped or sticky
You know it's right when: 冷水冲洗终止熟化并洗去多余淀粉Cold rinse stops cooking and removes excess starch
3Peel and cube mangoes into 1 cm pieces. Reserve ¼ for garnish. In a blender, purée remaining mango with 120 ml (½ cup) coconut milk until smooth. Strain through fine mesh to remove fiber.
芒果泥要过筛
🔍 Look for 1–2 分钟 · 1–2 minutesVisual: 果泥明橙色、丝滑,无渣无丝Purée is vibrant orange, silky, with no specks or stringiness
You know it's right when: 刀片转动顺畅无阻力Blade spins freely without dragging
4In a large bowl, combine mango purée, remaining 120 ml (½ cup) coconut milk, and pomelo segments. Gently fold in cooled sago — do not stir vigorously or crush pomelo.
轻拌防压碎柚肉
🔍 Look for 1 分钟 · 1 minuteVisual: 浅黄基底缀着粉红柚肉与油亮西米Pale yellow base flecked with pink pomelo and glossy sago pearls
You know it's right when: 柚络完好,未被撕碎Pomelo membranes remain intact, not shredded
5Taste and adjust: add a pinch of fine sea salt if too sweet. Chill for at least 20 minutes. Serve in glasses, topped with reserved mango cubes and a light drizzle of extra coconut milk.
盐点睛,不抢味
🔍 Look for 20 分钟 · 20 minutesVisual: 表面泛椰油光泽,芒果丁清晰浮于上层Surface glistens with coconut oil sheen, mango cubes float distinctively
You know it's right when: 椰浆略分层——饮用前轻搅即可Coconut milk separates slightly at top — stir gently before serving
Tips
- · Pomelo is non-negotiable — canned or bottled versions lack brightness and add unwanted sodium.
- · Chill all components separately before assembling — prevents sago from turning gummy.
- · For vegan version: ensure coconut milk contains no dairy-derived emulsifiers (check label for 'carrageenan only').
Sources & references
Quantities, technique notes, and substitution ratios are cross-checked against established Chinese cookery references and standard food-science sources.
- Read our editorial policy
- Fuchsia Dunlop, Land of Plenty: A Treasury of Authentic Sichuan Cooking
- USDA FoodData Central — ingredient nutrition and portion data
- Traditional Chinese family-kitchen practice and regional taste records
Common questions
Why do you cook the aromatics (garlic/ginger) first on low heat?
Aromatics contain oils and sugars that turn bitter if scorched. Gentle heat (low-medium) lets garlic and ginger release their fragrance without browning too fast. If the pan is too hot, garlic goes bitter within seconds — that's why we always add aromatics first, before the main ingredients.
Source: Chinese Cooking Demystified technique library
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