@MERRY_MOO: Still One of the BEST Artisan Ice Creams in Manila! @MercatoCentrale

Text by Nikka Sarthou and Photos by Kurl Marx Mendoza

What if you mix a passion for food and travel? You get some sort of inspiration just like Kelvin Ngo, founder of Merry Moo. For those in the know, Merry Moo is an artisanal ice cream brand that creates fun, fresh and delicious ice cream. It is made with non-Ultra Heat Treated dairy and local ingredients, whenever possible. Aside from the quality of freshness, what makes the brand stand out from all the rest is its unique flavors that would excite any palate.

Flavors of Mercato Series 1:

• CARLO’S KITCHEN: It’s Crunchy Belly Time!
• CUISINIERS: Have you tried the Best BBQ Pork Skewers in Manila?
• MERRY MOO: One of the Best Artisan Ice Creams in Manila!
• WRAP BATTLE: The Pita Wrap of the Filipinos
• JOHNNY STEAMS: Yankee Burger – Peanut Butter, Crispy Bacon, Oozing Mozzarella Cheese
• OLVERA’S: Authentic Home Cooked Mexican Cuisine
• AUNTIE MAY’s: U.S Beef Tapa, Angus Beef Salpicao and Home Cooked Meals-on-the-GO
• RICE POTS: The Real Fried Rice Stuff!
• MACHEESEMO: Cheese Stuffed Burgers!
• BUMBLE TEA: The Milk Tea Buzz
• NEW YORK MINUTE: Freshly Made Paninis
• @HEY_FISHY_FISHY: Fish & Chips with San Miguel Pale Pilsen Beer Batter

Kelvin’s ice cream journey began in Singapore when he visited an ice cream parlor that offered a plethora of flavors such as durian, teh tarik, Horlicks, and more. He liked the idea so much that he thought of doing something similar in Manila. It didn’t happen overnight though; in fact, it took him around two years to experiment with ice cream making. At first, it was more like a hobby for him. He bought books and experimented with flavors at home. He would let his family and friends taste his cool creations until he thought of joining the Ultimate Test Taste (UTT) in 2010—his first exposure to the public.

The reception after the UTT was good so he also explored the idea of joining Mercato Centrale after. There he serves interesting flavors such as Earl Grey Tea, Strawberry Basil, and Sea Salt Caramel (bestseller), among others. For his concoctions, he gets inspirations from his travels abroad, books, television, as well as from his friends who are happy to suggest ideas. 

Related Blog Posts:

• UTT5: Ultimate Taste Test 5.0 Winners! (2 of 3)
• Rockwell UTT: Merry Moo’s Artisan Ice Cream – Sea Salt Caramel, Milo & Brown Bread
• UTT7: Merry Moo’s Queso de Bola and Food for the Gods!
• UTT9: MERRY MOO’s Chili Tablea with Bacon and Strawberry Shortcake!

Kelvin experiments with different tastes, and recently, he even dared to make a flavor using Chinese pork jerky and hoisin sauce—just in time for the Chinese New Year. “Part of the fun of making ice cream,” according to Kelvin, “is it’s such a versatile product. You can really put a lot of different types of flavors and it can just absorb it easily—just like tofu.” Kelvin is actually more into savory flavors, which is why he infuses it into his homemade ice cream.

If savory refers to flavors like Sea Salt Caramel then I would gladly be a convert. I confess, I have a sweet tooth and would be happy with a simple caramel ice cream, but Merry Moo’s bestselling flavor has the perfect sweet and salty balance that made me crave for more. 

Merry Moo is going on three years now and Kelvin plans to continue to grow with the Mercato group and still cater to parties. This self-proclaimed Chief Ice Cream Officer dreams of putting up his own stall someday. 

I would gladly fall in line for more fresh ice cream. Hold the hoisin sauce, please.

MERRY MOO
Telephone number: (+632) 634-4487
Mobile number: (+63 917) 528-9590
Email: merrymoo@ymail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/merry.moo1

Available at Midnight Mercato and Cucina Andare Market:

MIDNIGHT MERCATO
Address: Corner of 34th & 8th avenue (near MC Home Depot), BGC Taguig
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152 
Email: admin@mercatocentrale.ph or mercatocentraleph@gmail.com
Operating hours: Every Friday and Saturday, 10pm-3am 

CUCINA ANDARE 
Address: Glorietta 3 Park, Makati (in front of Makati Shangri-La)
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152
Email: admin@cucinaandare.com
Operating hours: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4pm-3am 

SALCEDO MARKET
Address: Salcedo Park, Salcedo Village, Makati City
Operating hours: Every Saturday, 7am-2pm 

ECHOstore 
Address: G/F Serendra Piazza, McKinley Parkway, BGC, Taguig
Telephone number:  (+632) 901-3485

Flavors of Mercato Series 1:

• CARLO’S KITCHEN: It’s Crunchy Belly Time!
• CUISINIERS: Have you tried the Best BBQ Pork Skewers in Manila?
• MERRY MOO: One of the Best Artisan Ice Creams in Manila!
• WRAP BATTLE: The Pita Wrap of the Filipinos
• JOHNNY STEAMS: Yankee Burger – Peanut Butter, Crispy Bacon, Oozing Mozzarella Cheese
• OLVERA’S: Authentic Home Cooked Mexican Cuisine
• AUNTIE MAY’s: U.S Beef Tapa, Angus Beef Salpicao and Home Cooked Meals-on-the-GO
• RICE POTS: The Real Fried Rice Stuff!
• MACHEESEMO: Cheese Stuffed Burgers!
• BUMBLE TEA: The Milk Tea Buzz
• NEW YORK MINUTE: Freshly Made Paninis
• @HEY_FISHY_FISHY: Fish & Chips with San Miguel Pale Pilsen Beer Batter

P.S. Would you like to become the next big food entrepreneur at Mercato Centrale group of markets? Please get in touch with us at (+63 917) 840-1152 or (+632) 812-0102.