Ban Li Heng: A Traditional Ice Cream Legend in Songkhla
On Nang Ngam Road, one of the most historic food streets in Songkhla Old Town, Ban Li Heng stands as a legendary traditional ice cream shop that has been part of the city for nearly 100 years.
Known as one of Songkhla’s earliest ice cream shops, Ban Li Heng has continued to share its classic sweet and refreshing taste across generations. It is more than just a place to cool down. It is a living taste of local memory and a must-visit stop for anyone exploring Songkhla’s culinary heritage.
Old-Style Ice Cream with a Natural Taste
The charm of Ban Li Heng lies in its dedication to traditional recipes and old-style preparation methods. The ice cream is made without preservatives and without artificial fragrance, allowing the natural flavor of the ingredients to shine through.
Unlike many modern ice creams that focus on an ultra-smooth texture and strong sweetness, Ban Li Heng’s version is more subtle, fragrant, creamy, and naturally refreshing. It carries the comforting feeling of old-fashioned homemade desserts and the nostalgic warmth of a recipe passed down through generations.
Traditional Mung Bean Ice Cream: The Must-Try Flavor
The signature flavor that visitors should not miss is traditional mung bean ice cream. It is made from finely ground mung beans blended with coconut milk and palm sugar, creating a mellow sweetness and a rich, creamy aroma.
What makes this ice cream memorable is the fragrance of mung beans that lingers gently in the mouth, combined with the smooth richness of coconut milk. Each bite feels simple, natural, and deeply comforting.
The texture is not perfectly smooth like modern ice cream. Instead, it has a slightly grainy feel from the mung beans, which becomes part of its authentic old-style charm. This texture is one of the reasons people remember Ban Li Heng’s mung bean ice cream so fondly.
A Sweet Taste That Tells the Story of Songkhla
Ban Li Heng’s mung bean ice cream is more than a dessert. It reflects another side of Songkhla’s old town food culture, where traditional Chinese restaurants, local sweets, street snacks, and classic desserts continue to live side by side.
The flavor carries stories of family, community, and the preservation of recipes across time. It is a small but meaningful part of Nang Ngam Road’s culinary landscape, adding sweetness and nostalgia to the experience of walking through Songkhla Old Town.
Location of Ban Li Heng Songkhla
Ban Li Heng is located on Nang Ngam Road in Mueang Songkhla District, opposite the Songkhla City Pillar Shrine. It is an ideal stop while exploring the old town or after enjoying local dishes nearby.
For anyone following the classic flavors of Songkhla, Ban Li Heng’s mung bean ice cream is a dessert worth trying. It is a refreshing taste of history, memory, and local sweetness that continues to be loved across generations.
Location: Nang Ngam Road, Mueang Songkhla District, opposite the Songkhla City Pillar Shrine
