By: Melissa Stevens
Hong Kong swelters in the summer – but while there are some downsides to the heat, one definite plus in our books is that it gives us an excuse to indulge in a decadent ice cream. For those who did not know, Hong Kong has some exceptional ice cream shops. Here’s a selection which is seriously next level!
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Emack and Bolio
Describing yourself as the ‘rock stars of the ice cream world’ is a bold call, but it’s one that Emack and Bolio can definitely back up! Their amazing ice creams are probably the most Instagrammed creations in Hong Kong. The menu boasts flavours like Space Cake, Trippin’ on Espresso and their marsh “mellow” funky cones are pieces of art. They also have smoothies, frozen yoghurt and sorbets. Originating in the US, the first Hong Kong store opened in 2015.
Sweet Monster
This Korean ice cream store has been pulling the crowds with its pop-corn soft serve ice cream. They describe themselves as an American Festival Confectionary store and offer ice cream which is made with more than 75 per cent fresh milk. The menu also includes cakes with toppings and monster shakes. There are seven ice cream shops in Hong Kong.
Oddies Foodies
Oddies Foodies make it their mission to be creative with food combinations. The result are things such as their signature eggettes with soft serve – a blend of street food with ice cream. The menu of the Central store includes heaps of other treats with decadent ingredients.
Ice Cream Gallery
This Kwun Tong shop takes ice cream to the next level with French fine ice cream. Arron Liu has developed more than 700 types of ice cream since 1994 and is the mastermind behind flavours such as French lobster ice cream and foie gras ice cream. The ice creams are all free of artificial flavours and colours, stabilisers, gelatine and preservatives.
Grom
Fans of classic gelato should make a beeline to Grom. The founders of Grom, which began in 2003 in Turin, had a dream of creating gelato “like it used to be made”. Their IFC store has gelato, sorbets, gelato con panna and ghiacciolo is a stalwart of Hong Kong ice cream shops.
XTC Gelato
This homegrown Hong Kong business uses fresh ingredients, meaning its menu is a mix of classics, and seasonal offerings which change depending on the time of year. XTC supplies to some of the city’s top chefs, and are stocked in supermarkets, a testament to its quality. They have three stores and also offer delivery to venues within 10 minutes walk from their stores for 30 pots or more.
Lab Made Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream
Hong Kong’s first liquid nitrogen ice cream laboratory has won a heap of awards for its innovative approach. Its philosophy is that by using nitrogen to freeze ice cream, it creates a far smoother and creamy ice cream. Nitrogen can freeze ice cream in 60 seconds as opposed to the 10 minutes required by commercial ice creams. This means the ice cream can be made to order, making it a super-fresh offering when you pick a flavour it is made in less than two minutes.
Via Tokyo
This Japanese soft serve store is identifiable by the queues which form from ice cream fans who love their matcha flavour offerings. Along with its Japanese soft serve, they serve pastry and coffee.
Ice Monkey
Here’s another reason why it’s all happening in Kennedy Town! Ice Monkey’s store may be small, but their ice cream is big on flavour with offerings such as salted caramel with dark chocolate or seasonal specials, such as Hokkaido melon.
Do you have a fave ice creamery we should add to this list of ice cream shops? Email editor@expatliving.hk
Read more: Hong Kong supermarkets, online grocers and speciality stores
