The famous purple yam ice cream — an easy no-churn recipe, plus where to buy it across Dubai and the UAE.
⚡ Quick Answer
Ube ice cream is a naturally purple ice cream made from ube, the Filipino purple yam. It tastes sweet, creamy and nutty with vanilla notes — like a cross between white chocolate and pistachio. You can buy it at Filipino stores across the UAE, or make a no-churn version at home in 15 minutes (plus freezing).
In This Guide
Ube ice cream is one of the most beloved Filipino desserts and arguably the best-known ube dish worldwide. Its striking natural purple colour and sweet, creamy flavour have made it a global favourite. The good news: it is one of the easiest ube desserts to make at home, and no ice cream machine is needed.
⏱ 15 min prep · 6 hrs freezing · 🟢 Easy · No machine · Makes 1 litre
🛒 Ingredients
💜 Method
💡 For the Creamiest Result
Use very cold cream and a chilled bowl — it whips faster and holds more air, giving a softer scoop. Don't over-whip past stiff peaks or the ice cream turns grainy. The ube halaya keeps it from freezing rock-hard, so no machine is needed.
No ube halaya at home?
Use ube powder instead — order it online with UAE delivery.
Ube ice cream is sweet, creamy and mild — often described as a cross between white chocolate and pistachio, with clear vanilla and coconut notes. It is not fruity and not floral; the flavour is nutty and comforting.
Importantly, it does not taste like taro. Where taro is earthy and starchy, ube is sweet and dessert-like. If you want the full breakdown, see our ube vs taro guide.
If you'd rather buy than make it, here is where to find ube ice cream across the UAE.
Philippine Supermarket
📍 Al Muraqqabat, Deira
Stocks tubs of Filipino ube ice cream including Selecta-style Ube Macapuno, plus ube halaya to make your own.
📍 View on Google Maps →Liezel's Kitchen
📍 Dubai
Filipino home kitchen making ube ice cream with real ube yam — served in halo-halo or on its own. Order ahead.
Lulu Hypermarket
📍 Multiple locations
Check the frozen Filipino food section for imported ube ice cream tubs alongside ube halaya and spread.
📍 View on Google Maps →Chicha Bakehouse
📍 Al Quoz 4, Dubai
Filipino-owned bakehouse serving ube desserts and ube-based frozen treats alongside its ube matcha.
📍 View on Google Maps →📍 Looking for ube near you?
See our full where to buy ube guide for every UAE store and café — with Google Maps links for each location.
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Ube Macapuno
Fold in drained macapuno (sweet coconut strings) before freezing for the classic Filipino combination.
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Ube Halo-Halo
Top a scoop with shaved ice, sweet beans, jellies and leche flan for the iconic Filipino halo-halo.
🍫
Ube Chocolate Chip
Fold in white or dark chocolate chunks — ube and white chocolate are a natural pairing.
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Dairy-Free Version
Swap cream for chilled coconut cream and use condensed coconut milk — naturally suits ube's coconut notes.
What does ube ice cream taste like?
Sweet, creamy and nutty with vanilla and coconut — like a mix of white chocolate and pistachio. Mild and dessert-like, not earthy.
Can I make ube ice cream without a machine?
Yes. The no-churn method above uses whipped cream and condensed milk — no ice cream machine needed. Just whip, fold and freeze.
Is ube ice cream the same as taro ice cream?
No. Ube ice cream is sweet and vanilla-like; taro ice cream is milder and earthier. Ube is also naturally more vibrant purple.
How long does homemade ube ice cream keep?
Up to two weeks in an airtight container in the freezer. Press cling film onto the surface to prevent ice crystals forming.
More ube desserts
Cakes, drinks, halaya and the viral Dubai chocolate bar.