Nu Cafe
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Everyone knows and loves Nu cafe--and for good reason. We got the standard strawberry w/ strawberries on the side and whipped cream/condensed milk. Overall 5/5
We got the peanut butter mountain sized shaved ice for $9. It was such a great deal given the size and the two toppings. The shaved ice was quite flavorful and the peanut butter flavor was pretty strong.
Yummy shaved ice with quick service! The place has plenty of seating and combinations for your shaved ice. I do wish we were able to get more mango toppings with our shaved ice. Otherwise the mountain size is perfect for two people.
The shaved ice was amazing, it literally melts in your mouth. Tried the taro milk tea for the first time, it was great. The boba not really a fan of it. Def would go again for a light dessert! Def recommend!
Came in on a Friday evening around 10pm, place was pretty packed and we got the last seats. Food 6/5: we got the Taro shaved ice with banana, strawberries, mochi and dulce de leche. All of it tasted amazing. Service 3/5: super busy, really slow, took 15 minutes for it to come out Ambiance 2:5: pretty run down looking with metal chairs and dirty tables Value 4/5: pretty good value given how good it was Overall 4/5: I heavily weighed food in my rating since it's purely a dessert place and given the price, my expectations for service and ambiance were lower. Given how good it was, would come back again so didn't seem right to give it a lower rating Parking: massive parking lot that's super busy on weekends and can be difficult to find parking. Don't be the jerk that stops right next to the entrance waiting for a spot and no one else can get into the plaza
A Chinatown classic! I've been going here for years for a refreshing sweet treat that's great to share amongst friends. You get a paper slip to order and customize your shaved ice to your liking, so it's hard to leave feeling disappointed when there's enough flavors and toppings to cater to everyone's tastes. The last time I went I got the matcha shaved ice with strawberries and Oreos. It's on the sweeter side of matcha but still enjoyable nonetheless. Definitely share a mountain size with at least four people.
If you're in Houston and haven't been to Nu Cafe yet, stop what you're doing and go! Seriously, this place is a gem. First of all, their shaved ice cream is so good it might ruin regular ice cream for you. It's creamy, fluffy, and melts in your mouth like a snowflake of happiness. They have all these fun flavors and toppings, and somehow everything just works. I don't know if there's magic involved, but I'm not questioning it. The owner? Absolute sweetheart. You know when someone is so nice you just want to be their best friend? That's the vibe here. They're warm, welcoming, and make you feel like you're hanging out at a friend's house--except your friend happens to serve incredible desserts. And can we talk about how clean this place is? Like, sparkling clean. You could probably eat off the floor (don't, though). It's also super spacious, so you're not awkwardly bumping into strangers while trying to enjoy your boba. The lighting is perfect--not too dim, not blinding, just bright enough to remind you you're living your best life. All in all, Nu Cafe is the kind of place you'll go back to again and again because it just makes you happy. Plus, who doesn't want a shaved ice cream snowflake of happiness?
I love all types of ice cream treats so I knew I wanted to give this spot a try! the shaved ice is amazing, lots of flavor and the matcha one is SO GOOD! I highly recommend! My only gripe was the boba topping! The syrup was very sweet and made the dessert a little too sweet for me, so I would recommend not getting the boba topping in ur dessert! I took a star off because the ambience and service was not very good..this place gets very busy easily and as a result it can be a very long wait to get ur dessert! I waited about 20 minutes for mine, it was also just very loud because of the amount of people! They usually shout out your name when your order is ready but it can be hard to hear because of how loud everyone is.. I would recommend going during the day and not weekend evenings as that's when it's most packed!
I'm a traditionalist when it comes to shaved ice and have been hesitant to try something that looks more like ice cream. But today was the day! Yes, it's definitely creamier than ice but it still has ice crystals in the smooth texture, so you still get the feel of shaved ice. I was even more intrigued after reading their story on the wall about how all their ice blocks are made of fresh ingredients, not powder. I got the lychee hill with watermelon topping + condensed milk. Great flavor and definitely didn't need the condensed milk. Glad I finally decided to give it a try after walking past it hundreds of times! Want to try more of their flavors now that I know it's all fresh ingredients.
This shaved ice was pretty good and the green tea flavor was exactly was I was hoping for. The boba was very chewy and soft which I loved. It came out so quick too. The ambiance was very family friendly and cheerful. I would come here again for a sweet treat.
Can't go wrong with a mountain of shaved ice with jelly and actual fruit. went to @nuiceus which is a Taiwanese Cafe serving "Nu Ice" which is a cross between shaved ice and Gelato. we ordered the Lychee flavored with Lychee jelly and pieces of Mango. overall it was delicious, the texture did actually feel like a cross between shaved ice and Gelato. overall a great spot
This is one of those must try places. It is not a shaved ice, ice cream or yogurt. It has a light creamy texture all its own. It comes in a hill size and a mountain size. The hill is big enough for two. They also have Boba teas here. The King Kong is my Favorite. Feel free to ask questions, the staff is very helpful and know this place is different that you may need help with your choice. It can be quite busy but the line always moves quickly.
Nu Cafe has been a personal favorite for shaved ice! The ordering process is very fast! You'll just need to fill out a small slip to designate and customize your order for the base and toppings. We try there matcha base and coconut based shaved ice with drizzles of condensed milk and mango respectively. I really enjoy the consistency of their shaved ice because it carries a very fluffy, light, and airy texture unlike other shaved ice cafes. The flavor is well imparted and on point. The base flavor is done well and not overly too overpowering so that your drizzle and toppings help highlight the flavors of the dessert in between bites. This is definitely a major standout and I look forward to coming back! As far as room goes, there's a decent amount of tables and chairs that aren't too highly contested. But sometimes you may have to be a little patient on super busy weekends. But this is usually not an issue.
1 year ago
Durian flavor is my favorite thing to have in a hot summer day. The room is super cold already so be careful when you chose the size of your shaved ice. Service is ok. read more
2 years ago
Texas sized shaved ice! Get your brain freeze on in a good way! There is plenty of seating and it's a great value for the portion size. read more
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Ming C.
Thank you, Clarence! We're thrilled you enjoyed our Texas-sized…
2 years ago
The food tastes so amazing that I danced! The music taste has good beats that it makes me tap my foot. The food came out very quick. There was only one other family that was there, but it probably was because it was late. The workers are very kind when you ask a question. read more
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Ming C.
Thank you, Emma! We're thrilled you enjoyed the food and atmosphere.…
This was our first time trying shaved ice and it was just plain awesome. My wife and I were both raving about how good it was to anyone who would listen. Can't wait to come back and try some more! read more
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Ming C.
Dear Sean, we're overjoyed to hear you loved our shaved ice! We look…
Loved it loved it loved it !!! I was craving some dessert so I decided on shaved ice. When you come to the front counter there's a sheet of paper & you basically circle what you want for their Nu ice. There are two sizes, the hill size is good for one person but still a great amount & then there's the mountain size which is good for maybe 2 or 3 people. I decided to get their mango sorbet as the flavor, mango/watermelon/strawberry for the toppings & a drizzle of condensed milk. My nu ice was light, airy, fluffy, creamy, flavorful & it just melts right in my mouth. By far the best shaved ice I've ever had. My taro milk tea was very bad & tasted watered down with absolutely zero flavor at all, I don't recommend this drink. My cashier Allyana was very helpful & kind, I felt bad for her though. She was the only person working at the time, basically Allyana took orders & made your desserts as well. She was very composed and did a phenomenal job, I think a raise or a promotion should be in the works for her. I know you guys aren't that busy during the week but what about if a group of 10-15 people came in at the same time? It's going to be very overwhelming. So my advice is at least have one more person to back her up just in case of a huge rush. Overall, I was very satisfied & I can't wait to come back. read more
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Ming C.
Thanks for all the love, Tri! Nothing hits the spot quite like shaved…
We had a date night in Chinatown and was excited to try this place out. Maybe a little more excited than the dinner since I have a terrible sweet tooth (we ate at Rice to Meet you, really great spot and good price). The reviews were awesome and the place was packed when we got there at 9 pm on a Friday. The girlfriend went with the green tea and I went with the Nutella. As I watched people go up to get their orders, they all looked so awesome. They finally called us, I was so excited. The anticipation was so high, as I took the first spoon full I was hit with disappointment. The flavor did not match the appearance. It is like that moment as a kid you realize French Vanilla coffee does not taste like it smells. It had more of an ice flavor than chocolate or cream flavor. So much disappointment. Maybe it is my fault for getting so excited, but definitely a huge let down. Honestly would of rather gotten a Boba tea on that side of town. read more
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Ming C.
Eric, we appreciate you and your girlfriend dropping by to give us a…
I haven't been back in years. The place still looks the same but it wasn't as good as I remembered. The flavored ice was thinly sliced and layered onto a plate with toppings of your choice. Cool concept and way of a dessert, for sure. read more
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Ming C.
Huyen, we appreciate your past patronage and understand that you had…
1 year ago
2 years ago
Business owner information
Ming C.
Thank you, Tom! We're delighted to be a part of your visits to…
4.5/5 stars Nu Cafe on Bellaire / Corporate. Large Mango Sherbet Flavor Shaved Ice with real fruits (strawberry & mango), lychee poppers, mochi, & drizzle strawberry syrup $11.26. My kids and I loved it. Very tasty and refreshing. Definitely coming back to try other flavors. read more
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Ming C.
Eliza, so happy you enjoyed your shaved ice! We love seeing the great…
3 years ago
Dear owner, please retrain your employee! The cashier guy was not friendly, nor has good customer service. After I ordered, handed me my change back without saying anything. I waited for him to either give me a receipt or an order number and he just gave me a look instead. I walked away back to my table waiting for the food. There are 2 plates came out they left on the counter, saying out loud something and walked away instead of at least waiting for us coming up to make sure we got our order right. There's a girl grabbed her plate and that's when I know the other should be mine. Also look at my mango, it's black and they still serve it. I came back showed to the guy and he said that's all we got. Not even an apology. The floor is so dirty and sticky as well as table. Mangonada needs improvement, no takin and it's nothing like a mangonada. Only thing made me feel " after all it's not all bad" was the Mexican guy who was cleaning the table said have a good night when we left the store Wouldn't come back after this experience I got read more
Although it may look messy, its absolutely delicious! It was hot day and were were craving something icy, fruit filled, and delicious. In comes Nu Cafe to the rescue. Located in Bellaire in one of the busiest shopping centers around. You can pretty much build your own messy snowy mountain at this place. We decided to put mangos, on top of mangos, and more mangos! This means we did mango flavor ice, with mango Boba, and actual pieces of mango. Oh, so good! A must for a hot and humid day in Houston, or whenever you need something refreshing. read more
Business owner information
Ming C.
Nothing's better than a cold treat on a hot day, Armand! It was a…
2 years ago
BEST SHAVED ICE IVE HAD. They let you customize the base and add toppings and the green tea was delicious. Decently quick service. read more
Business owner information
Ming C.
Thank you, Dorothy! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the shaved ice…
Wide selections of flavors and no matter what you get, it's so good! Been here a few times and have tried their chocolate, green tea, strawberry and lychee and they're all delicious. Condensed milk is a must on the drizzle for sure. Pictured below is lychee flavored shaved ice with mango topping and drizzled condensed milk. read more
2 years ago
The shaved ice cream comes in 2 sizes: hill or mountain. I assure you, both options are huge. To order, there is a slip of paper near the counter that you need to fill out. You'll indicate size, flavor of ice cream, and toppings. With the hill, you can choose 2; with the mountain you can choose 3. I think it goes without saying that the sweetened condensed milk is the best option. I would opt for fresh fruit for a 2nd option. We chose M&Ms, but I would not recommend, When the M&Ms get cold, they are hard and not very pleasant to eat. The staff seemed disinterested in helping us order as first-timers. But they were able to kick out our dessert in less than 5 minutes. They have napkins on each table. We were able to easily find a seat that fit our group of 8. Go for the food, not for the atmosphere. read more
Business owner information
Ming C.
Whether you order the hill or the mountain, Mary, you're in for…
7 years ago
Randomly walked by and stopped in since I saw their buy one, get one 50% deal. The only caveat is that they have to be the same drink. Oh well, I opted for the "half and half" (ice milk, honey boba, pudding, and secret drizzle (P1) and it was really good, albeit more sweet than I like, but that's my preference because my mom and brother really liked it the way it was. I'll be back to try the other flavors and for the shaved ice! read more
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Ming C.
So glad you stopped by to give our drinks a try, Corinna! It's hard…
4 years ago
Came in with Layla and Minal for some shaved ice on a 100 degree day. Pros + variety of fruit flavors- lychee was subtle and good + can add tapioca Cons Very warm inside Would come back! read more
Business owner information
Ming C.
A cool tasty shaved ice on a hot day sounds perfect, Sangita. So glad…
3 years ago
Good service reasonable prices also good coustomer service ask for David when u walk in he gives the best explanation on what kind of taste you are looking for most people look annoyed when u say when u don't want any added sugars and he gladly made the smoothies and they are delicious they have real ingredients my rate for this place is 10/10000 read more
7 years ago
Nu Cafe is my favorite go to place for shaved ice when in Houston. It's great any time, whether it's after lunch or dinner. The ordering process is pretty easy. You just go up and grab a small clipboard from the register and fill it out, pay, and then grab your number and wait to be called. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis, so you definitely have to hurry and snag a spot for your group when it's busy. Nu Cafe offers two sizes for their shaved ice -- hill and mountain. I usually get the hill size when I'm sharing with someone. I always get the milk tea or green tea (matcha) flavors with condensed milk and strawberries. Yum! You really can't pass up on trying this soft, fluffy shaved ice. It has the perfect amount of flavor, and their topping portions are decent too. It's 100x better than a snow cone for sure! I've never tried their drinks which seem to be popular as well. There's just so much competition nearby to choose from which makes it hard. read more
Business owner information
Ming C.
Whether you're here for an after-meal treat or not, Chelsey, we love…
5 years ago
How do they get so much flavor in such fluffy ice?! It is a mystery, but a delicious one. There is something so fun and satisfying about their shaved ice - you get to build your own concoction by picking the size (hill vs mountain, both large enough to share), the ice flavor, a topping, and a drizzle. Sometimes you just want a simple treat, so I opted for the vanilla ice with chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk drizzle. The ice is packed with flavor while still being almost as light as air, so to me it comes with a little less guilt than ice cream. Plus, the presentation is beautiful with the towering hill of ice and toppings. Certainly check this place out if you are looking for a unique dessert treat! read more
Business owner information
Ming C.
We may not share our secrets with you, but we're thrilled you're…
Who needs boring ice cream when you can have delicious flavored shaved ice! Shaved into a mountain covered in a drizzle of your choice and two toppings. The mango and lychee "poppers" are my favorite. read more
Business owner information
Ming C.
Paul, our shaved ice is a perfect way to shake up your favorite…
The only reason we come here is the Durian-flavored shaved ice cream. Service used to be quick and friendly. Tables used to be clean and environment was inviting. Now, a group of teenage employees stand around chatting, leaving one person to make the orders and drinks. In past visits, 2-3 of our orders would come out simultaneously. Now, a single order comes out every 7-10 minutes, and the place wasn't even crowded. In the past, there were usually no empty tables and people stand around waiting. On a Saturday night around 8:30pm, there were at least 3 tables with empty plates and trash, yet, the employees were standing around playing and made no effort to clean the tables for incoming customers. Manager or owner needs to visit, retrain and turn this around before customers stop coming altogether. Very disappointing visit! read more
Business owner information
Ming C.
Karina, I apologize that you were not given 5-star service. We always…
2 years ago
3 years ago
Odd space, inattentive staff, but delicious desserts. The staff did show excellent shaving skills and care for the product. read more
Business owner information
Ming C.
Dear Glenn, thank you for your candid feedback. We're thrilled you…
Every trip to Bellaire, calls for Nu cafe. Gosh, I just love it here. I always get the durian shaved ice and I add lychee poppers, and almond jelly. The ambiance is fun and clean and the staff is always pleasant. How to order: Walk in straight up to counter and grab a small clipboard and pen. Proceed to check which size shaved ice you want and check the toppings you so desire. They also have blended drinks that include a tasty mango smoothie. I'm a big ball fan. I mean, I like big black balls (of tapioca), of course. I hope you enjoy Nu cafe as much as I do! read more
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Ming C.
And we love having you, Cherry! It's absolutely wonderful you enjoy…
The four of us shared a hill size of the green tea shaved ice and had five different toppings. It was legit. We also got four drinks. Excellent. The shaved ice was super creamy like it was straight ice cream. It's really the best and they always do it right. read more
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Ming C.
Sandra, what's better than sharing a shaved ice with some friends?…
Super good. We paid $7 and I thought it wasn't too bad for what you got. My only complaint is that she didn't put enough cookies and marshmallows. read more
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Ming C.
Evelyn, it was wonderful having you by for a bite. However, we're…
3 years ago
First time trying this flavored ice and it was unbelievably delicious! I got the vanilla with strawberry drizzle and strawberry boba and also the mango flavor with mango boba. read more
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Ming C.
Hi Lisa, we're thrilled you enjoyed our flavored ice! Vanilla with…
I've been here way too many times. It's used to be super crowded but lately it's slowing down. Still one of our favorite desserts place in town. read more
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Ming C.
Twee, is there such a thing as too many visits to Nu Cafe? Love that…
3 years ago
The shaved ice was delicious and the way to order was pretty simple, just a checklist and checking off what you want. Service was pretty fast and the employees were nice. Table was a bit sticky but it wasn't that bad. read more
Business owner information
Ming C.
Dear Zaijin, thanks for your feedback. We're thrilled you enjoyed our…
2 years ago
Business owner information
Ming C.
Thank you, Mela! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your visit and…
First time here and recommend by my husband's uncle and aunt so we all stopped by after dinner. We tried the Durian Lychee shaved ice with strawberries, mangoes and chocolate drizzle. So heavenly light and airy. It's like eating snow! Family with us got the mango crepe and I had tasted it. Thinnest crepe I've ever seen! Tasted yummy with the whipped cream. I was hoping to go back before we left town to try their drinks but didn't get a chance. Must come back next time we're in town. I can totally understand why it's one of top dessert shops and has 600 Yelp reviews. read more
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Ming C.
As we told you over on Google, Ruthie, we're absolutely delighted we…
Today's challenge is to ask Nu Cafe 新天地 for something outrageous. What can I have when it's 100 degrees outside? My usual cold dessert at Juice Box next door is grass jelly soup 仙草蜜. The closest to that would be a topping. But I don't care for diluting flavors like I had it at Gong Cha. I know grass jelly is on the hot drink menu as 烧仙草. Don't give wrong. I love it hot for the cold weather. So, here's my request - I want it cold this time. Cashier went to ask kitchen crew... "sure" she said. It was so delicious with perfect sweetness. It contains same ingredients as hot version, got beans, something chewy and other stuff. Sorry. It's really dark to see what's in it. Did you know there are over 2 dozen of dessert shops at Dun Huang Plaza? (Read my blog https://iyelpalot.blogspot.com/2016/05/desserts-at-dun-huang-plaza.html) I chose Nu Cafe is because of Belly. I'm not talking about my Yelper friend, but a rewards program. I started to collect points when I first joined at the sister store Nu Ice on Westheimer. Nu Cafe is known for its shaved ice. There's no one else can compete for originality and flavors. The mound stays stiff longer and texture is soft as cloud. I've hosted several #ChinatownCrawl UYE here in the past. Patience is highly recommended when you want your party to sit together. **60th review of 2018** read more
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Ming C.
Thanks for putting us up to the task, Lou! We're delighted our cold…
Shaved ice is one of my favorite desserts and this place does it right. They also have a ton of toppings and multiple drizzles you can select. The shaved ice is light and fluffy - not at all a heavy dessert and great after a meal. We came here stuffed from eating lunch and two of us already had ice cream elsewhere, but we still devoured the shaved ice. read more
Business owner information
Ming C.
So glad to hear our shaved ice always impresses, Jackie! WE can't…
2 years ago
Business owner information
Ming C.
Thank you, Cameron! We're delighted you enjoyed our atmosphere and…
More info about Nu Cafe
9889 Bellaire Blvd
Ste 112A
Houston, TX 77036
Chinatown, Sharpstown
Directions
(713) 771-7771
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.nuiceusa.com
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