Somisomi

209

864

1253

6 days ago

Well, that was yummy. It was so good, in fact, that I forgot to take a picture of it. I got the taiyaki with red bean filling and the black sesame and ube swirl soft serve. I love that you get a tiny macaron and complementary toppings - I chose toasted coconut flakes. Service was friendly and fast - so fast I couldn't get a good picture of the waffle irons! read more

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Madison B.

107

242

14 days ago

This place is always delicious! The cone is fluffier than a typical cone and adds some fun to the experience. I love the toppings and always get rainbow sprinkles & a strawberry! Lots of seating outside and great restaurants and escape room around too. Perfect to celebrate or for a date night! read more

Somisomi - Cookies and Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Karla B.

173

844

16 days ago

Came here after dinner and just got a small ice cream. I ordered the Cookies & Cream flavor and it was absolutely delicious. I added some toppings, which made it even better. Since we came after dinner, the place was extremely busy and packed. I was already so full from dinner, but I still wanted to stop by because there isn't a location close to me, and I had been craving it. The line was pretty long, and there was a bit of a wait to get our ice cream, but overall it wasn't a huge issue because the ice cream was so good. One thing I wish they would improve is the seating situation. I've noticed that none of the locations I've visited really offer places for customers to sit and enjoy their ice cream. A lot of people were standing along the walls eating, which personally isn't my favorite. My partner and I ended up taking our ice cream back to the car so we could sit and enjoy it comfortably. I think even a small seating area with a few high-top tables, bar stools, or chairs would make a big difference. Other than that, the ice cream was delicious, and I'd definitely come back. read more

Somisomi - menu - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Hector R.

151

424

3295

1 month ago

Somisomi - Front of store - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Dawn A.

309

234

2 months ago

Somisomi - Match and black sesame swirl $6.95 - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Felicia K.

145

204

2 months ago

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Marichris P.

606

275

362

20 days ago

First time here! Surprisingly delicious and I think made my list of top dessert places if I want a quick bite We ordered the cookies and cream and black sesame flavor with the fish shaped pastry - filled that with Nutella and then added fruity pebbles as a topping. It was so good - not overly sweet even considering everything in one bite. Am excited to come to this place again! Service is friendly - you get to see them fill and make your fish shaped pastry right in front of you You first order on a tablet and then they start your order. It's really busy at this location because there are so many different restaurants and shopping places near by. Ambiance is casual - no seating inside just places to stand and eat. If you want to sit down you can go outside where there are tables and chairs in a little courtyard a few steps away read more

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Jocelyn Y.

201

26 days ago

typical, yummy! ice cream pretty sweet. fast service, self order inside, clean interior, outdoor seating. read more

Somisomi - matcha ice cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Dave L.

1422

444

1191

4 months ago

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Sydney H.

195

223

1 month ago

Somisomi - Cookies & cream! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Amy B.

328

2217

1 month ago

Somisomi - Green tea and plain - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Jeremiah H.

12 days ago

Somisomi - Matcha Soft Serve - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Quinn N.

124

1360

1164

3 months ago

+ Yummy ice cream. Enjoyable flavors. The big fish waffle with a big gaping mouth is amusing. + Polite, helpful staff. - For me the toppings selection was kinda bland. Typical cracker or chocolatey bits, no fruity bits. - Unhealthy. - Inside is cramped. - And no indoor seating. . Just a small stand-up bar. - Parking at DJ's often very crowded. + Glad for the parking structure on hot days though. read more

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Mitchell N.

282

236

986

6 months ago

Somisomi - Upside Down Ube & Banana Pudding - 9/10 - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Full Menu - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Outside Street Front & Waiting Line - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Front Entrance & Register - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Melanie H.

550

639

1242

4 months ago

I love the iconic taiyaki with the perfectly delicious soft serve swirls that Somisomi offers. Every week the swirl combination changes. My favorite order is an upside down with a custard filled taiyaki. My favorite soft serve flavors are matcha, thai tea, and cookies 'n cream. After your order is ready, you can choose from a small variety of toppings from biscoff to captain crunch. A single order is perfect to share between 2 people. read more

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Jenna H.

153

321

6 months ago

Somisomi - Tayaki? - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Betty G.

661

4211

7 months ago

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Monica P.

3 months ago

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Sylvie C.

1003

3662

10 months ago

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Christine N.

1064

1254

3224

4 months ago

Decent! This location has stronger tasting matcha than their other location in diamond jamboree plaza. It was hard to find at first, but their new advertisement banner in one of the wall ways is doing well because after we placed our order via kiosk, there was a super long line behind us! There's also ample space outside to enjoy the nice treat after some shopping at Irvine Spectrum. An order can be 1-2 flavors and up to 1 topping "dusting" and a macaron or strawberry on top for $4.50. What a steal! read more

Somisomi - Matcha soft serve with strawberry topping - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Michelle S.

191

486

4 months ago

Your inner child will thank you!I've been away from Orange County for years and returned to find Somisomi! I had no idea it is a chain. It functions like a mom and pop shop. Such a fun dessert place! Taiyaki reminds me of my visit to Japan and I knew I had to have some. I ordered the Upside Down Taiyaki with Ube flavored soft serve topped with fruity pebbles for a colorful crunch and a teeny macaron for a little extra treat. I didn't put any filling in my taiyaki but instead used it to scoop the soft serve. The taiyaki was light and airy while aslo maintaining that crispness. The Ube flavored soft serve is lightly sweet. So good! Looking forward to going back again soon! read more

Somisomi - Macaron dipped in soft serve topped - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Upside Down Taiyaki with Ube flavored soft serve and fruity pebbles topping - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Linda T.

238

1348

4 months ago

The kids all love the difference flavor choices. There an option to have it open with ice cream or cooked with a filling. The cheese one looks interesting but we stuck to all desserts. Made perfectly with crunchy outside and chewy inside with generous Nutella filling read more

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Tammy S.

424

1475

7 months ago

I brought my mom to experience soft serve inside the mochi textured fish. Ordering at the kiosk was easy and it was ready for toppings pretty quickly. I noticed that they were preparing the mochi fish ahead of orders and blowing a fan to cool. My mom and I ate it as soon as it was handed to us but the mochi fish wasn't warm, which was disappointing. At the Koreatown location, the mochi fish is made to order (likely because of the crowded and steady flow of customers), and it's served super warm, which is the best part. At this location, there were only a few customers at a time, and the employees kept making batches ahead of orders. While that helps speed up the ordering process, I personally prefer waiting a little longer if it means getting a warm mochi fish. The soft serve is very photogenic and the stand up bench was convenient. read more

Somisomi - Ube soft serve upside down - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Eric W.

204

4 months ago

I stopped by SomiSomi in Irvine for dessert. The taiyaki I got are red bean, black sesame, cheddar, and the limited time Dubai chocolate flavor. The Dubai chocolate costs an extra $1.95 but it was totally worth it. The taiyaki came out warm and crispy on the outside with generous fillings inside. I'd definitely come back to try their ice cream. read more

Somisomi - Taiyaki - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Esther C.

5 months ago

This Irvine location is so much better than other locations. The filling is much more filled. I tried their new flavors black sesame and matcha custard and they did NOT disappoint! The black sesame is a thick paste and very nutty. The matcha definitely has a matcha taste. They were true to Asian flavors. I would order those flavors again! read more

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Long T.

140

230

8 months ago

Located in the Diamond Jamboree plaza, this place consistently has long lines out the door. I arrived and a person took my order but you have the option of ordering through a kiosk as well. I ordered the upside down Ahboong with the cookies and cream ice cream, oreo cookie crumb topping, macaroon cookie, and the red bean filling taiyaki. Despite the crowd, my order was ready in a few seconds. There's no tables to sit at inside the store but only one long standing counter, but there's seats outside if you'd want to sit. Overall, the ice cream had a good flavor, not too overly sweet despite all the toppings. The ice cream texture is much smoother compared to say like your hand churned ice creams, so really its a preference thing, but I thought it was fine. The red bean taiyaki was good too, but the one I got wasn't as warm as I thought it could have been to really make the dish pop. The great part was that I had enough ice cream left over that I left it in the freezer overnight and it was still delicious the next day. read more

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Tiffany S.

111

676

8 months ago

Sooo good and for what! I love taiyaki snd love that there's an assortment of variety to try it here. There's a lot of accommodations they can do for your order like keeping items on the side, individual filling, etc. They have free toppings to choose from and the ice cream flavors are rich and creamy. The taiyaki is made fresh so it is nice and creamy. I can't get over how crispy it is! The staff was efficient and nice. Clean store but only two benches to sit in when you are in store so it will be tight when busy. You pay through their iPads and get a text when it's ready. Love this branch! read more

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Henry T.

179

787

447

4 months ago

The taiyaki is pretty good, though I kind of wish I should've eaten it while the waffle was hot. I had a big dinner beforehand and I was gonna have to drive home a long way so it probably wasn't a good idea to eat just then. But after freezing it at home and reheating the waffle, it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. The reheating was necessary though because putting it in the freezer made them hard as a rock. I did like the ordering system on a tablet. More places should have an ordering system like that. read more

Somisomi - Nutella and custard taiyaki - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Red bean taiyaki - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Cooking stations - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Jessica T.

124

240

10 months ago

Great spot for a quick dessert fix. It is located in Diamond Jamboree plaza. We did not have trouble finding parking. There was no indoor seating so it's more of a grab and go type of place. Ordering is done through a screen, and most items come out pretty quickly. If you're getting taiyaki with filling, it can take a bit longer since those are made to order. Once your dessert is ready, they'll call your name and let you choose your toppings. I went with the soft serve and sesame filling--personally, I'd skip the sesame next time, but the soft serve itself was good. read more

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Richard F.

641

657

1461

5 months ago

Excellent dessert spot. I like the takoyaki separate because it comes out hot and delicious. I do succumb and my go-to single order is the upside down takoyaki with the soft serve (it's delicious but the takoyaki fish cools down quickly with the soft serve). The desserts and service are always excellent, and they get your food ready quickly. Excellent location given all the restaurants around it read more

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Myrna T.

261

5 months ago

Good dessert place, good service, reasonable price. Ice cream is very light, the taiyaki was warm fluffly and full of deliciousness. read more

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Amita G.

147

175

994

11 months ago

Place was super crowded even at 10 pm! They have amazing flavors to chose from. I tried their monthly specials- cookies and cream with Ube It's self service:) read more

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Victoria B.

434

505

5 months ago

I always love Somisomi! The line was long, but went by fairly quickly. Staff looked busy. I loved the convenience of the ordering tablet, which saved a lot of time. We didn't get soft serve but instead ordered the Hotteok Taiyaki and Cheddar Cheese Taiyaki -- Both were warm, soft, and comforting. Perfect sweet and savory desserts for a chilly night in Irvine! :) read more

Somisomi - Hotteok Taiyaki and Cheddar Cheese Taiyaki - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Outside - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Ordering tablet - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Grace K.

272

1262

10 months ago

You rarely find Somisomi without a line out its doors however, it's moves quick! The concept is simple- soft serve, fillings, toppings, and a classic Korean fish shaped pastry (traditionally filled with either red bean past or custard, sold by street vendors in Korea) The employees are always friendly, and you can't mistaken their quickness for being rude lol Pick your poison, either a slow moving line or slower interactions at the counter lol There's a standing counter inside but no seating, however you have tons of seating outside! Average price per person is about $7 which is a great deal for what you're getting! They have countless locations, so if you happen to walk by one, definitely give them a try! read more

Somisomi - $6.95 - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Bottled water - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Menu August 2025 - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Toppings! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Entrance - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Little fishies ready to be stuffed! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Tablet ordering - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Open wide! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Alyssa T.

320

1578

11 months ago

A good spot for quick and delicious desserts. The Diamond Jamboree parking lot can get very congested at times, so it's usually a little bit easier to park in the structure. Parking can be difficult depending on the day/time that you go. The only seating available is outdoor and it's shared with the other stores/restaurants in the plaza. You order from a screen and the items are ready fairly quickly. If you're ordering just the taiyaki with filling, it may take a little bit longer since they are more customized. Once your order is ready, they'll call you and ask which toppings you want on your dessert. I ordered the matcha and peach swirl and had matcha powder added on top. The matcha has a good flavor and the peach tastes exactly like the actual fruit. The soft serve is very smooth and is not too sweet. It's a decent size for sharing, but I liked it so much that I ate it all on my own. read more

Somisomi - Matcha/Peach Swirl - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Jessica J.

167

285

1129

5 months ago

Their taiyakis are so good! They make them fresh to order, and their batter really stands out. I think it's made with some glutinous rice flour based on the texture. Pleasantly bouncy and gelatinous. They have a variety of filling to choose from too. My favorites are the red bean and black sesame filling. Their soft serve is great too. Location is very convenient as it's in a busy and lively plaza. read more

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Jennifer T.

411

6 months ago

Somi Somi always hits the spot! This location is always busy so make sure to come earlier! The ice creams and desserts are always on point. read more

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Mari P.

200

3 months ago

Great selection of ice cream. There's usually a wait time. It's a bummer that there are no samples. The matcha ice cream is a must. Smells so good here too! read more

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Mindy Z.

661

141

1095

1 year ago

7/5/25 Saturday Night around 10 PM The line was pretty long despite it being late at night. It's located in Diamond Jamboree so I'm not surprised. However, the line moved pretty quick. Parking outside is pretty hard to come by but there are parking structures nearby. Ordered their limited edition flavor, Dalgona. Only served June 27-July 6 so we barely made it. It does indeed taste like Dalgona, the Carmel candy from the famous TV Series, Squid Games. The matcha does overpower the Dalgona though so if I'd recommend avoiding the two flavor swirl if you want to taste the Dalgona. Not a big fan of the matcha filling in the pastry. It's a bit too sweet. The pastries come out hot and fresh, so it's nice with the cold ice cream. The ice cream is creamy and consistent. Not a lot of seating or table space so we stood while eating. read more

Somisomi - Matcha/Dalgona and Dalgona - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Exterior - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

Somisomi - Limited Edition Flavor: Dalgona - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Irvine, California

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Mitchell L.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

392

130

576

1 year ago

Ordered on 7/5/25. There was a long line, but you can order through their tablets. People didn't see there were 2 tablets so everyone was waiting for one tablet. Parking: bad, this place is always busy at night. I would recommend parking in the structure. Food: I ordered the matcha custard taiyaki with matcha ice cream. The ice cream tasted pretty good but not super strong in matcha flavor. The taiyaki was warm, but our matcha custard didn't taste too good. It was weak on the matcha flavor. read more

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More info about Somisomi

2700 Alton Pkwy
Ste 125
Irvine, CA 92606
Directions
(949) 387-6333
Call Now
Visit Website
https://somisomi.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Somisomi open?

Somisomi opens at 12:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Somisomi close?

Somisomi closes at 12:00 AM (Next day) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM (Next day)

Payment methods

Does Somisomi take credit cards?

Yes, Somisomi takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Somisomi have catering options?

No, Somisomi does not have catering options.

Does Somisomi have a happy hour?

No, Somisomi does not have a happy hour.

Does Somisomi serve alcohol?

No, Somisomi does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Somisomi allow dogs?

Yes, Somisomi allows dogs.

Does Somisomi have TVs?

Yes, Somisomi has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Somisomi have parking?

Yes, Somisomi has parking options. Garage Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Does Somisomi have free WiFi?

No, Somisomi does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Instagram sensation serving creamy Korean soft serve in fish shaped waffle cones, as well as toasty taiyaki waffles filled with a variety of sweet and savory fillings. Choose from a variety of tradition ice ceam flavors like Cookies 'n Cream, or go exotic with flavors like Matcha, Ube and Black Sesame. Popular drinks include the fresh strawberry Milk and Cold Brew Float.

More Info

Health Score

Somisomi Reviews in Other Languages

Chinese
2 Reviews

Ask the Community - Somisomi

Has the matcha flavor been discontinued?

Yes. They usually bring it back around summer time.

View question details

Is this peanut allergy safe?

Hello Edwin, Thanks for asking, our products may contain some tree nuts, milk, soy.… Read more

View question details

Do they have pints To-Go? Can I choose/combine flavors?

I'm not sure if they have pints (especially since it's soft-serve). They have 2-flavor blends depending on what flavors are next to each other in the machines.

View question details

I have a dairy allergy. Any dairy-fee options?

I know the Cerritos location does offer it, but not sure of this one.

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Honeymee

Consistently good…read more.. Came here after dinner at momo paradise, and can't complain. Got the honey ice cream with the drizzle and cornflakes, and it was creamy and perfectly sweet. Friends also got the coffee Oreo shake, and that was amazing. Coffee flavor was strong without being too artificial. Place was clean and staff were nice.

I've been coming to Honeymee ever since they first opened during peak COVID era, and for years the…read moreDarling was one of our go-to orders. Back then, the soft serve was incredibly creamy, rich, and had a thick consistency that made it stand out from other dessert spots. Over the past few years though, it seems like the recipe or preparation has changed. Since around 2022, the soft serve felt more diluted, with a lighter and airier texture. It's still enjoyable, but it doesn't have the same dense, creamy consistency that I remember, especially during the height of the pandemic when it seemed to be at its best. That said, the Darling is still a classic menu item, and the honey flavor remains unique. I keep coming back partly out of nostalgia and partly because there still aren't many places that offer quite the same combination. I just miss the richer, creamier version that it initially had and hope that the recipe will change for the better.

Matcha HoneyMee Ice Cream Vanilla HoneyMee Ice Cream

Coffee Oreo shake and Sweetie

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Matcha soft serve

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream - Irvine

This worker named Grace gave me the best experience I've ever had at an ice cream store. She…read moredeserves to become a manager of the establishment. 10/10 experience would definitely come again

Lots of flavors to choose from! You will definitely find something you will enjoy…read more Staff is friendly! This location is a walk up to the window to order. It's great that it's right next to the plaza's grass area where there is a decent amount of seating and tables. I ordered their strawberry cheesecake chunk on a dipped waffle cone in small size. It's too bad I forgot to get a pic because they are VERY generous with the scoops! Don't make your stomach deceive you by getting a bigger size because a small is like a large in my personal opinion. Their ice cream is creamy and so good! Not too sweet. I love strawberry cheesecake ice cream and I'm so happy that there's a generous amount of cheesecake chunks. My older niece got their off the menu flavor raspberry sheet cake, which was also so good! Great place to get your ice cream fix!

Cherry Magnolia and Smores

Strawberry

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Small Scoop in Sugar Cone-- Cherry Magnolia

Wanderlust Creamery

This ice cream shop serves a fusion of asian flavors and they are not afraid to make the flavors…read morepop out. The line can almost always get long , but that's just the nature too also that the store is quite small. There is seating outside and they also allowed me to bring my doggo in which is always a plus! I got the kinder ice cream in the brown butter cone. I am not a fan of asian flavors but I have tried almost all their basic (non rotating) flavors and they are good for someone who prefers that flavor profile :')

We stopped by this ice cream shop for the first time and really enjoyed it! The ice cream is very…read moresweet, with lots of unique specialty and seasonal flavors. I especially liked the ube cone--it was delicious. My daughter only had the cone, which was enough sugar for her. We also noticed they've only been open for about three months, so it's great to see a new local business. The only downside is the price. It was about $12 for two scoops, which is a bit expensive. Even so, we'll probably come back to try more of their seasonal flavors.

Pandan Tres Leches, Sticky Rice + Mango, and Ube Malted Crunch

Tasting trio

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Hojicha candy bar

Saffron & Rose Persian Ice Cream

I came in with a friend for a quick sweet treat earlier this week and was so glad we decided to…read morestop by! This location is a newer, more modern version of the original Westwood location (which we also love). Service was incredibly warm and friendly, samples were plentiful, and servings were hefty. Truly enjoyed our visit! Please stop by if you are in the area!

Before our first visit here, I had never even heard of Persian ice cream, let alone how popular…read moreSaffron Rose is in LA. However, I was still more than happy to check them out when my gf suggested coming here. All of their hype and praise was certainly a big reason why, as well as me wanting to see what Persian ice cream tastes like, but, quite simply, how could I ever say "no" to trying a new ice cream shop? Especially to cap off such a warm evening out! While I can't say how this location compares to their spot in LA, I liked how low-key and unassuming this place felt. Past the counter/register, there's a small amount of seating to the back, but there's also a bunch of seats and tables right out in front. More importantly, though, their display case of ice cream is chock full of enticing options. Inspired by ingredients and flavors from around the world, Saffron Rose's roster of flavors is quite diverse. What's more, from their Mango and French Espresso to their Saffron & Pistachio and Passionfruit, they all looked equal parts unique and delicious! -- FRENCH ESPRESSO While it may not have been quite as amazing as I had hoped, this was still pretty good. Although I wish the taste of the espresso had been more robust, it still had a decent coffee flavor to it that I really liked. -- PASSIONFRUIT I got this mostly because I wanted something a bit tart and citric to balance the French Espresso and it did the trick. The passionfruit was refreshing and I liked that the taste of it wasn't overly acidic. -- SAFFRON WITH PISTACHIO Presumably their namesake flavor? Either way, this may not have been my favorite flavor, but it wasn't bad. The taste of saffron was decently strong and I liked how the pistachios in this added some texture. -- MANGO Of all of the flavors I've tried, this is easily my favorite. Not only did it feel rather refreshing (especially on such a warm night), but it also had a surprisingly strong taste of mango to it. -- POMEGRANATE Unfortunately, this was pretty disappointing. Much like when I got the passionfruit flavor, I wanted something fruity and light to offset the pistachio, but this was a little bit sharp and acidic for my liking. -- GREEN PISTACHIO I love pistachios, so I had some high hopes for this one, but it missed the mark for me. For whatever reason, the taste of pistachios didn't come across as well as it did with the other flavors and the chunks of pistachios felt surprisingly soft. -- PINK ROSE My least favorite of the bunch, but, to be fair, I'm also just not a fan of floral flavors and the rose water showed up most prominently in this one. Even though the first couple of bites were okay, the taste of the rose was too much for me after that. Regardless of the flavor, one thing I noticed about Saffron Rose's ice cream is that they're somewhat similar to gelato, but with a slightly gummier texture to them. What's more, all of the ice cream is made with rose water, which, as mentioned, I'm not a huge fan of, though it was pretty subtle in all of them except the Pink Rose. Also, I didn't care for the wafers they give you either. While I appreciate that they can complement the ice cream well (they resembled those classic cake ice cream cones), the wafers had more of a soft, semi-stale texture rather than a crisp one (unless that's they way they're supposed to be). All and all, considering how they're one of the only Persian ice cream joints around, Saffron Rose is by no means bad in any way. At the very least, their ice cream is certainly unique and even better than some of the gelatos I've had. However, as someone who prefers a more classic, creamy scoop of ice cream, I think Saffron Rose is just okay. My gf, on the other hand, is definitely a fan, so I'm sure more scoops of their Mango and French Espresso will be in my future the next time we visit when we're back in town again! THREE AND A HALF STARS rounded down.

SMALL - Cookies & Cream & Strawberry $4

SMALL - Nutella $5

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Faloodeh + saffron ice cream and pomegranate

Salt & Straw

First, great tasting ice cream!! But you expect and want that and this delivers! Creamy,…read moreinteresting flavors as well as more traditional ones. But customer service is a real plus. The lines can be long but the wait is worth it. The workers take their time and make sure each customer is taken care of. There are many options and they are willing to let you try as many samples as you want. They have real metal spoons the samples come on- this means more work for the staff. But that is part of a customer oriented store. It is also pet friendly! So come when you want to be treated right, take your time and enjoy unique flavors for something out of the ordinary or enjoy a flavor you're more familiar with. Either way you won't be disappointed.

Wow. Phenomenal service felt welcomed to try all the flavors if I wanted!…read more Had the seasonal flavor with huckleberry oat on a waffle cone. Dear son got strawberry coconut water sherbert! Only a couple benches outside. Would be five stars if there was tables and chairs to sit.

Arbequina Olive Oil and Double Fold Vanilla

Tonight's delights

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Single Scoop

Stella Jean’s Ice Cream

My son has been raving about Stella Jean's ice cream for awhile now and I finally got a chance to…read morego try it myself and it did not disappoint! I'm Filipino and was tickled to hear about the flavors...Ube Pandesal Toffee, Banana Turon Crunch & Mango Sticky Rice. We tried the Ube Pandesal Toffee and I'm quite amazed how they were able to capture that unique flavor. I grew up with making an "ice cream" sandwich by putting ice cream in a pandesal and tasting this just unleashed a core memory of being young and making an ice cream sandwich that way. We will definitely be back to try the other flavors! When we arrived there was a few people in line and when the line grew a bit, I think it was a manager that stopped what he was doing to jump in and help with customers which I thought was very considerate of him to do. Lastly, the location was charming and tucked away in the corner of the plaza. It had a few tables outside and in the adjacent Pop Pie shop to sit for a few minutes to enjoy the ice cream! It's nice to support a small businesses that cater to the community! Good luck to the Stella Jean family...wishing you success! I'll be back for my Turon & sticky rice!

Came in for a quick ice cream treat and the options did not disappoint!! They have many flavors…read morethat rotate out and the flavors are very unique which is great. I compare it to a Salt and Straw and the price point was also similar/average. Service was friendly and patient, they allow you to try as many flavors as you want! Ambiance is aesthetic and nice, a little spot to stop by for a quick treat!

(D) Brown Butter Pecan - Pint

Ube Pandesal Toffee over Baklava Cheesecake. 5/5

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Yummy goodness!

Cauldron Ice Cream

Cauldron is amazing!…read more Used to enjoy the San Diego location frequently but they went out of business a few years ago. Was in the area this evening after a kids event and grabbed some Cauldron. Still fantastic! Made fresh, super creamy and delicious! My wife got the Puffle with Milk & Cereal flavor, enjoyed it a ton. Kids and I all got mint chocolate chip, VERY creamy with big chunks of chocolate. Wish we had one closer to home! Highly recommend.

From the ads and pictures everything seemed cool. The way they make ice cream is unique and I'll…read moregive it that. So let's get to it. We ordered three things; mint chocolate chip, rose, and milk and cereal. All with a bubble waffle cone. The service was disappointing, the guy who worked there seemed like he didn't care and it was just another job. No life to him and was just rude about asking the code for the bathroom. The mint and chip is basic. Nothing too much about it. My kids like it, so I got it. Average 3/5. The rose ice cream tasted like a rose, it was pretty good and very floral. The disappointing part is I was hoping the ice cream would be shaped like a rose as depicted on the picture. Nope, just a scoop and left it as is. 5/5 for taste and 0/5 for presentation. The milk and cereal one was actually pretty good. Especially with Frosted Flakes in it. It literally taste like cereal. 5/5. I would give it a higher star if the service complimented it and th presentation of the rose ice cream did.

Will be right next door to Coastline Urgent Care.

Ritter's Steam Kettle cooking is the far left building and Cauldron's will be next door.

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Milk & cereal! Since it's made fresh to order with liquid nitrogen, it takes forever to melt!..unlike at that other place..

Gelato Paradiso

I've been hearing so much about this place from friends who swear by it. This particular location…read morein Laguna Beach can be tricky to find if you're not familiar, but there are signs outside that can point you in the right direction. Lines can be very long during weekends and peak times, but if you go down time, which I did, there's little wait. There's plenty of flavors to choose from as you can see from the picture, and apparently they let you sample some if you ask. I went with their regular cone size which costs about $6-7, and you can select up to three flavors. I chose the Pistachio, Chocolate chip (stracciatella), and Milk Chocolate Hazelnut. Overall, all three flavors were very delicious, with the stracciatella being my favorite. The regular cone and the 3 scoop portions are very generous and could probably be shared amongst 2 people. Afterwards, you may feel heavy from all the gelato, but its worth it. I can see why this place is very popular!

The gelato here was so tasty and creamy that I wish I lived closer so I could come here all the…read moretime. We didn't have to wait in a long line, however, I can see there being a wait from time to time. But, the line moved pretty quickly, so if there is a wait, i wouldn't believe it would be for very long. We tried the Pistachio, Salted Caramel and Chocolate and had no regrets! We're for sure making this a must stop at place anytime we're in the area!

Lovely gelato hidden in an alley

Waffle cone

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Vanilla and mint chip

Junbi Matcha & Tea - Irvine

I have frequented this location and found it to be one of my favorite matcha spots in the Irvine…read morearea. It is located in a big plaza with plenty of parking. Even on a busy day, I don't have to wait too long for my order to be ready. It is Asian-owned and I love supporting my local AAPI businesses. The inside is very vibrant with a lot of seats with outlets. There's always AC running so it's nice to enjoy, especially on a hot day. The menu is pretty extensive. They have matcha cold brews, matcha lattes, non-matcha drinks, soft serves, and onigiri rice balls. My favorites to order are the strawberry matcha cold brew, mango matcha cold brew, and salmon onigiri rice ball.

I've loved Junbi for years. The flavor profiles are genuinely creative, and the fresh fruit puts…read morethem in a different category than every other boba spot around. It's a long drive for me so I hadn't been in a while, but I was excited to grab my usual on the way to an event. Cold Yuzu Dragonfruit Refresher via the Toast app. Easy pickup. Great plan. Except the drink that was waiting for me was noticeably smaller. Like, significantly. I'm estimating around 12oz. Was it delicious? Yes. Was it worth $9+ when $9 used to mean at least 16oz? Not for me. I get that prices have gone up everywhere. That's just life right now. But the menu gave zero indication that the size had changed, and that's the part that stings. Let me make an informed decision. I probably would've still ordered it. Treat yourself, y'know? But, I just would've mentally prepared to pay a premium for a smaller pour instead of being surprised at pickup. A little transparency goes a long way.

Espresso Affogato - Matcha House-made Almond Jelly, Cocoa Powder, Hojicha Powder - excellent

Strawberry Sunset - (Matcha Dusting, Strawberry Purée, Aloe, Coconut Chips) Matcha

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Strawberry Matcha Latte - 50% sweet

Gelatissimo

4.1

(71 reviews)

2.7 mi

The employee was patient and friendly. He let me and my son sample about 3-5 flavors. It was our…read morefirst time ever here. We had picked up dinner next door, so wanted some dessert. Honestly, I never saw so many interesting flavors that I wanted to try. The worker said thats fine and was great. I signed up for their rewards, I guess if you visit 5 times then the next visit you get a free small. I got the small scoop. You can get up to 2 flavors. I loved both Mango Cheesecake and Ube. They had a lot of great flavors like their Cotton Candy, it was surprisingly not super sweet. Overall, cute decor and nice service. Its pricey for $6.95 but at the same time you're payjng for the quality and I think small portion of that cost is to staff and other stuff. I will definitely be back and now I know about this gelato place. I've always seen this brand on social media but never knew one was in my city.

Hey, a gelato place that actually tastes like gelato! And I mean in terms of the…read moreso-unique-to-Italy, fluffier, lighter, water-based consistency that's for some reason so hard to emulate and therefore so hard to find. Loved the lemon and strawberry flavors. The non fruit flavors were a little bland to me though. Will be back to try some more

Triple threat of yummy!

Dubai chocolate sundae

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Desouro

It was my first time trying this spot so I wasn't sure what to get. I asked Gigi to suprise me and…read moreshe was super nice about the request. Ill definitely be coming back!

The Phoenix No2 was amazing, and Natalie was very helpful in choosing which teas to try!read more

Metal goddess oolong tea, white peach oolong milk tea

My aged crescent outside

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Equipment, tea made fresh to order

Febe Coffee

I tired their mango match and was absolutely amazing!! It's…read morea cute little coffee shop with minister seating and parking Can get crowded fast

This cozy little café has a charming atmosphere, but it gets extremely busy, especially during peak…read morehours. The service was friendly, though understandably a bit slow because of the constant crowd. The line may look intimidating at first, but it's mostly because orders take a while to prepare rather than an overwhelming number of customers. If you visit, make sure you have plenty of time and don't mind being in a crowded space. The drinks were good overall, but definitely on the sweeter side for my taste. I'd recommend asking for less sugar or using an unsweetened oat milk option if available, since even the milk seemed to add quite a bit of sweetness. One thing that was concerning was the seating. One of the chairs at our table was already damaged, and a member of our group unexpectedly fell backward when it gave out. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt, but it was a scary experience. We showed the staff that the chair had already been broken. The chairs are quite small and delicate, so I'd suggest checking your seat before sitting down and being a little cautious. Overall, it's a nice spot if you're looking for a cute café and don't mind waiting, but I'd recommend visiting during a less busy time and customizing your drink if you prefer it less sweet.

My baby girl wanted Strawberry puree with Ube Such a pretty & yummy drink.

Egg foam lattes

Corn Matcha

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Commons Cafe

Insanely clean aesthetic and super friendly staff. Everything is fairly priced especially for Costa…read moreMesa and Irvine. The quality is on another level and clearly stands out from most places around here. The Mango Matcha (seasonal) was absolutely insane. If you're reading this review you need to try it. The Matcha with Cream Top was also incredible. The first sip was so thick and creamy that I barely got any matcha which is honestly a good sign. They stick to a more traditional approach and don't add sweetener unless you ask for it. Lastly, the pourovers. Some people might question the price, but take a minute to smell the different beans at the counter. You'll quickly realize that not every bean smells like coffee. The tasting notes actually come through and you can tell a lot of care goes into every pour over they make. Most drinks, aside from the pour-overs, are around $4.50 to $7, which is a far greater value for what you're getting in sheer quality. There are way too many cafes these days that focus on aesthetics and end up sacrificing quality. This place feels like it's run by people who genuinely love coffee and it shows in every order. Last note: they have their system down to a tee. The wait in line may be long but once you order it's super quick to receive your order.

Pretty cafe, with solid matcha lattes…read more I like the black and chrome interior with the car inside. I wish they brought the porsche back though. I got a matcha latte with vanilla cream top with vanilla sweetener. Easily $10 matcha but it was worth it. The seats are pretty tiny in the front of the cafe. If you want to lounge there are sofas at the back where the car is. Service is quick, friendly and they said bye when we left :) will be back!

A.m. chill, but don't want to be at home or work.

Ham & Cheese

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Hojicha half sweet agave iced almond milk

Owly Tea & Crepe

4.2

(29 reviews)

2.7 mi

The Mango Mochi was amazing! Fresh mango, soft chewy mochi, and the perfect amount of sweetness…read more I'll definitely be ordering this again.

Absolutely love this place. The store itself is so cute & colorful. The drink options are so good…read more I really like the matcha, the jasmine milk tea & the strawberry oreo. The crepes are also SO GOOD but a little hard to eat. I've never seen a crepe rolled up into a cone before so it was a little wobbly and hard to eat, however - I still finished it LOL Can't wait to be back so I can try out a few other items on the menu and the creme brulee crepe!

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Rise Bagels

Amazing choice, amazing service, cozy vibe. Great place for bagel enjoyers. Recommend for people…read morearound Irvine or in OC. Definitely my top 5 spots. Went here 3 times this week all of them hit the spot 3/3. Quality of bagel and topic are good. You for sure get your money worth here.

BEST BAGELS EVER!! With the awards and accolades to support it!!…read more My family and I tried the following so far: Egg Salad (5 out of 5) Smash Burger (5 out of 5) Lox (5 out of 5) Fruit (10 out of 5) All of the bagels were light, crispy, chewy and delicious. The kimchi bagel and cheddar jalapeño were our favorites. You don't feel heavy/greasy after eating them. Drinks: Yuzu Lemonade (amazing) Ube blueberry latte (delicious) Jasmine lychee? (Awesome) And the chocolate chip mousse cake was to die for. Service was amazing and they had plenty of staffing. Plenty of areas to sit and hang out in the area. Thank you for bringing amazing bagels and flavors into our lives.

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Sul & Beans

This was actually my second visit because I wanted to try more of their specialties. The first…read moretime, I had their Chocolate Bingsoo, and it was amazing. I'm honestly not a big fan of bingsoo, but this one changed my mind. The ice was so smooth and creamy, almost like ice cream. It wasn't overly sweet, but it kept you coming back for another bite. This time, I decided to try their Mango Special since it's one of their bestsellers. I love mangoes, but unfortunately this one was a bit too sour for my taste, so I didn't enjoy it as much as the chocolate version. I'd still come back though. The Chocolate Bingsoo is definitely my favorite, and I think I'll give the Watermelon Bingsoo a try next time.

Sul & Beans is a known quantity to me and I will say that they do offer several locations in…read moreCalifornia so I'll start with that. Where it gets disappointing is when I recall for my last 2 visits to Southern California based locations have left me wondering if I'm ever terribly unlucky with their product or their shaved ice is always produced like ice pebbles, and not like the smooth, creamy shaved snow their competition offers. I most recently visited their Irvine location and on this busy evening, I ordered their Strawberry Bingsoo. After about a 15+ min wait, my buzzer rang, and I picked it up at the counter. Fortunately a table had just opened up. Otherwise there are tables outside their shop as well. Once again their Bingsoo was more crunchy than smooth and velvety in my mouth. There were strawberry slices on top with a few mochi pieces, and a little condensed milk drizzle on top. The middle and bottom layers were just crunchy ice. This was also gravely disappointing. Parking on weekend evenings look to be challenging as it was for me.