I never met a dessert I didn't like...

...until now that is. Let's be honest, we all know that Asia makes some kick-ass food, but at least in my experience, dessert has never been one of the region's strong suits. I should have just left it at that and shut my trap. But no, over lunch last week I very politely pointed this epicurean quandary out to one my Cantonese colleagues: Great food, but not so great desserts, what gives? 


She wasn't offended, but instead apparently interpreted my innocent observation as a call to action. She wanted to prove me wrong. The very next day after lunch she presented me with what you see below, which is essentially red bean pudding on a stick. 

Those dark spots you see are actual whole red beans!

I can tell you that I went into this with an open mind and you can see from the missing bites that I really did give it a go. But dear readers, no good -- I mean no good at all -- can come from a dessert whose main ingredient is the bean. 

Of course, I resisted the urge to spit this rather unpleasant goop out of my mouth, and instead muscled those few bites down with a smile. I then wrapped the remaining bean pudding stick in a napkin and tossed it in the trash when no one was looking. After all, my mother raised me to have manners.