12 Places To Get Japanese Ice Cream To Quell The Heat
Japanese ice cream offers a delightful blend of unique flavours and textures that stand out in the Singapore dessert scene. From the creamy soft serve to mochi ice cream to Japanese flavours like matcha and hojicha, Japanese ice cream can be found in speciality Japanese dessert cafes, local ice cream parlours, and even supermarkets.
Given Singapore’s hot weather, it is always great to indulge in some Japanese ice cream to quell the heat. Here are 12 places where you can enjoy a taste of Japan’s rich culinary heritage in frozen form.
Artisan Ice Cream
(1) Betsubara
(2) Tsujiri
(3) Nana's Green Tea
(4) Hokkaido Fresh Serve
(5) Azabu Sabo
(6) 108 Matcha Saro
(7) Café Usagi Tokyo
(8) Emma Softserve Ice Cream
(9) Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory
Supermarket and Confectionery
(10) Don Don Donki
(11) Châteraisé
(12) Meidi-Ya
Artisan Ice Cream
Source: Betsubara
Betsubara is a cosy Japanese dessert café in Singapore, known for its artisanal ice cream and creative sweet treats. Specialising in Japanese-inspired flavours, Betsubara offers a variety of soft serve ice creams that blend traditional ingredients like matcha and hojicha with contemporary twists.
The café's name, meaning "second stomach" in Japanese, hints at its mission to satisfy dessert cravings with rich, creamy ice creams that appeal to both traditionalists and those seeking new flavour experiences. Must-try flavours are Lavender Hokkaido Milk, Nama Chocolate, Kyoho Grape and Rock Melon Hokkaido Milk (from $5).
Source: Tsujiri
Tsujiri is a distinguished Japanese dessert brand in Singapore, celebrated for its premium matcha-based ice cream offerings. Established in 1860 in Uji, Kyoto, Tsujiri brings over 160 years of tea craftsmanship to its creamy, rich Soft Serve ($5) with flavours like Matcha, Vanilla and Hojicha. Known for its authentic matcha flavour, Tsujiri’s ice cream is made using high-quality tea leaves, delivering a deep, earthy taste that matcha enthusiasts adore.
Source: Nana’s Green Tea
Nana’s Green Tea is a popular Japanese café in Singapore, renowned for its matcha-centric desserts, particularly its ice cream. As a modern tea house, Nana’s Green Tea combines traditional Japanese tea culture with contemporary dessert trends, offering a wide range of matcha-flavoured ice creams and parfaits, such as Matcha Soft Serve ($6) and Matcha Shiratama Parfait ($11.80).
The café uses high-quality matcha sourced from Japan, ensuring a rich, authentic flavour in every scoop. Beyond matcha, Nana’s Green Tea also features other Japanese-inspired ice cream flavours like Black Sesame and Hojicha.
Source: Hokkaido Fresh Serve
Previously known as Le Varo, Hokkaido Fresh Serve is a dessert spot in Singapore celebrated for its rich and creamy ice cream that showcases the best of Hokkaido’s famed dairy products. With a smooth texture and intense flavour, Hokkaido Fresh Serve’s ice creams are made from fresh Hokkaido milk. Japanese flavours like Rich Milk, Cantaloupe Melon, and Honey Yuzu Sorbet (from $7) highlight the brand’s commitment to authenticity and premium ingredients.
Hokkaido Fresh Serve
Location: 8 Raffles Avenue #01-K3 Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802
Opening hours: 10am - 10:30pm daily
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Azabu Sabo is a well-known Japanese dessert chain in Singapore, celebrated for its authentic Hokkaido ice cream. Located in popular shopping districts, this dessert haven offers various rich, creamy ice cream flavours, crafted using premium ingredients sourced directly from Hokkaido, Japan.
Signature flavours include Matcha, Black Sesame, and Yuzu (from $6), each delivering a taste of traditional Japanese desserts. Azabu Sabo’s ice cream is characterised by its smooth texture and intense, natural flavours.
Azabu Sabo (Clarke Quay)
Location: 6 Eu Tong Sen St, Clarke Quay Central #01-46, Singapore 059817
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 12pm - 10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm - 10:30pm
Azabu Sabo (Takashimaya)
Location: 391A Orchard Road, Takashimaya B2 Food Hall, Singapore 238873
Opening hours: 10am - 9:30pm daily
Source: 108 Matcha Saro
108 Matcha Saro is a beloved Japanese dessert café in Singapore, specialising in matcha-based treats with a focus on authentic, quality ingredients. Renowned for its rich and creamy matcha ice cream, 108 Matcha Saro uses premium Uji matcha from Kyoto, delivering a deep, earthy flavour that matcha lovers crave. The café’s ice cream offerings include classic Matcha Hokkaido Soft Serve ($4.90) as well as unique creations like Matcha Soft Serve Parfait Deluxe ($8.50) that comes with toppings like White Mochi, Brown Sugar Jelly and Matcha Warabi Mochi, and Mont Blanc Parfait ($9.90).
Source: Café Usagi Tokyo
Café Usagi Tokyo is a charming dessert café in Singapore, known for its delightful Japanese-inspired ice creams. The café offers a whimsical and cosy atmosphere, making it a perfect spot to enjoy a sweet treat. Café Usagi Tokyo is particularly popular for its Signature Mochi Ice Cream (from $6), which features traditional Japanese flavours like Ceremonial Matcha, Gokujo Hojicha and Genmaicha. Each ice cream is crafted with quality ingredients, delivering a smooth, creamy texture and authentic taste.
Source: Emma Softserve Ice Cream
Emma Softserve Ice Cream is a trendy dessert spot in Singapore, renowned for its ultra-creamy, Instagram-worthy Soft Serve (from $3.90). Known for its minimalist aesthetic and artisanal approach, Emma offers a range of Japanese-inspired flavours, with Matcha and Hojicha being the crowd favourites.
The soft serve is celebrated for its rich, smooth texture and intense flavours, crafted using premium ingredients sourced from Japan. Each cone or cup is beautifully presented, often topped with unique garnishes like gold flakes or crunchy wafers, making it a treat for both the eyes and the taste buds.
Emma Softserve Ice Cream
Location: 100 Tras St, 100AM #02-10, Singapore 079027
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11am - 9pm, Fri-Sat 11am - 9:30pm
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Source: Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory
Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory is a unique dessert destination in Singapore, famed for its luxurious, dairy-rich ice cream. This Japanese brand is celebrated for its innovative use of quality milk and cheese, creating a creamy, velvety texture with distinct flavours that stand out. Crafted to highlight the richness of premium Japanese dairy products, the signature Cow Cow Twist (Milk + Cheese) Soft Serve (from $4.80) blends sweet and savoury notes.
Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory
Outlets
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Supermarket and Confectionery
Don Don Donki, a popular Japanese discount store chain in Singapore, is also a hidden gem for ice cream enthusiasts. Beyond its wide array of Japanese products, Don Don Donki offers a selection of delicious and affordable ice creams from reputable brands. For instance, there’s Lotte’s Coolish series ($2.90) which is a drinkable ice cream packaged in a convenient pouch. Morinaga’s Choco Monaka Jumbo ($3.50) is also great if you enjoy wafer filled with creamy vanilla ice cream and crispy chocolate sheet in the centre. Unlike the usual big ice cream tubs meant for sharing, you can find individual packs or personal tubs of ice cream at Don Don Donki that are best savoured as a tea time break.
Source: Châteraisé
Châteraisé is a beloved Japanese patisserie in Singapore, renowned for its quality, affordable desserts, including a delightful range of ice creams. Known for using fresh, natural ingredients sourced directly from Japan, Châteraisé offers an array of ice cream flavours that cater to various tastes. Some of the must-try ice creams are Dessert Monaka Setouchi Lemon Tart ($2.70), Choco Mint Bar ($1.20) and Juicy Ice Bar Series ($1.50) that feature flavours like strawberry, orange and shine muscat. The ice creams are crafted to be light yet flavourful, making them a perfect treat any time of day.
Meidi-Ya is a Japanese supermarket in Singapore that doubles as a delightful stop for ice cream lovers. Known for its wide selection of premium Japanese products, Meidi-Ya offers a variety of authentic Japanese ice creams. With occasional promotions, some of the must-try ice creams are Lotte’s Watermelon And Melon Bar ($10.90) and Kouchi Ice’s Yuzu Sorbet, Sea Salt Gelato and Green Tea Ice Cream (from $16.96). These ice creams are made with quality ingredients, reflecting the rich and diverse dessert culture of Japan.
Meidi-Ya
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Japanese ice cream in Singapore has become a beloved part of the local dessert scene, offering a unique blend of traditional flavours and innovative textures that cater to diverse tastes. From artisanal matcha soft serves to mochi-wrapped delights, these treats provide a refreshing and authentic experience that transports dessert lovers to Japan. With a growing number of speciality cafés, dessert chains, and even supermarket offerings, Japanese ice cream continues to enchant and satisfy those seeking both familiar and exciting flavours.
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