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Strawberry Coconut Sago

Premium

40 min

Snack

Dessert

10 ingredients or less
This is the kind of dessert calling my name on a warm day: cool, refreshing, and filled with ripe, juicy strawberries. Chilled dessert cups (or dessert soups, really) like this are especially popular in Hong Kong and across Southeast Asia. The creamy strawberry and coconut base is dotted with soft sago pearls and nata de coco (also known as coconut jelly), then sweetened with condensed coconut milk. You can chill it ahead to enjoy on a hot day, but my favourite way is to serve it straight away with plenty of ice cubes stirred through for an extra-refreshing treat.

Servings

Total

40 min

Prep

15 min

Cook

25 min

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Ingredients

Sago

  • ¾ cup (130g)
    sago pearls†

Strawberry coconut soup

  • 2 cups (290g)
    fresh strawberries
  • 1 cup (240ml)
    barista oat milk, chilled
  • ¼ cup (60g)
    sweetened condensed coconut milk, plus more to taste

Fruit & serving

  • 1 cup (240ml)
    canned full-fat coconut milk
  • 2 cups (220g)
    ice cubes (optional)
  • 1½ cups (215g)
    fresh strawberries, chopped
  • 1 cup (200g)
    nata de coco, drained†

Directions

  1. In a large pot, bring plenty of water to a boil, then add the sago pearls.
  2. Cook at a simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring often, until mostly translucent with only a tiny white dot in the centre.
  3. Turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for about 10 minutes, or until the pearls are fully translucent.
  4. Drain through a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water to remove excess starch. Place the sago in a large bowl.
  5. In a separate large bowl, combine the strawberries, oat milk, and sweetened condensed coconut milk. Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth. Alternatively, use a standing blender.
  6. Pour the blended strawberry mixture over the sago. Add the coconut milk and stir. Chill for at least 1 hour, or stir through the ice cubes if not chilling*.
  7. Just before serving, stir in the chopped strawberries and coconut jelly. Taste and add more sweetened condensed coconut milk if you'd prefer it sweeter. Enjoy!

Notes

  • †Sago pearls may also be labelled as tapioca pearls. Find them at your local Asian supermarket. Avoid large tapioca or boba pearls for this recipe.
  • †Nata de coco may also be sold as 'coconut jelly'. Find them at your local Asian supermarket.
  • * Even if chilling, adding the ice is highly recommended as it makes the dessert cups so much more refreshing!

Storage

  • Best enjoyed freshly made.
  • Store leftovers without ice in a airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • The sago thickens as it sits. Stir in more chilled milk or coconut milk before serving if needed.
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Nutrition info

Focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. For specific nutrition needs due to a medical condition, consult a dietitian or physician. While we strive to provide accurate nutritional information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. See our disclaimer for details.

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Maribel Pinzon - Aug. 14, 2026, 5:50 a.m.

Thank for let me know that was tapioca.

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Jenn - Aug. 6, 2026, 9:20 p.m.

First time I will try making a strawberry desert with sago b pearls 🍓💕

Reply
o “Heyya” f - Aug. 6, 2026, 8:16 p.m.

There are a variety of nata de coco. Which flavor would you use?

PUL small logo PUL Team - Aug. 8, 2026, 12:18 a.m.

Hiii friend ☺️ we'd recommend using plain/original nata de coco if you can find it, as it lets the fresh strawberry and coconut flavours shine. If plain isn't available, a lightly flavoured one would also work, just whichever taste you prefer, so long as you're okay with a slight change in the taste of the dessert 🍓

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o “Heyya” f - Aug. 6, 2026, 8:05 p.m.

Are saga pearls the same as tapioca pearls?

PUL small logo PUL Team - Aug. 8, 2026, 12:14 a.m.

Hiii friend, thanks for your interest in this one 🤗 they're very similar! Traditionally, sago pearls are made from sago palm starch, while tapioca pearls are made from cassava starch. In some grocery stores, sago may be sold as "small tapioca pearls", and these would work great in this recipe. Just be sure to use the small pearls, and avoid the large boba-style tapioca pearls, as they have a different texture and cooking time. Hope this helps for now 🫶

Jonathan - Aug. 9, 2026, 12:09 p.m.

Yes. If you press the star symbol next to the ingredient it's expanded as well

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Zani - Aug. 6, 2026, 4:02 p.m.

Amazing recipes, ur doing great job May God bless you

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