Reviews & Ratings for Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

03/24/11

A must for Ice Cream Junkies everywhere!

by DanDann at Citysearch

Before coming here, I had no idea that such an array of ice cream flavors even existed! China town isn't exactly famous for its ice cream, but after being intensely nagged bout it by my friends, I could not help myself.

Although I felt like an explorer with no map trying to find the place, the trip was well worth it. Since I went through so much trouble finding it, I wanted to experience the most exotic and bizarre flavors I could find; flavors like vanilla and chocolate would not make it on my plate today.

My crave for exotica was not only met, but surpassed by a mile. I asked the clerk what he recommended and he gave me a combination of black sesame with zen butter ice cream.

As soon as I put the small plastic spoon to my mouth, I was instantly delighted. I do not think I had ever eaten anything to quickly before in my life.

Just as I was about to leave, my eye noticed something called Wasabi ice cream. I was taken back because I was puzzled how it would possibly make it on the menu due to the bitter and spicy nature of Wasabi.Nevertheless, I wasn't about to chicken out now; and it was a good thing I didn't.

I don't know how they did it, but they managed to capture the beautiful and invigorating flavor of Wasabi and infuse it with sugar, without any of the bitter kick.

If there's an ice cream anonymous out there, I think after visiting this place, I am definitely going to end up there pretty soon!

01/31/11

Best flavorful ice cream

by clairelin at Citysearch

Why don't they have their ice cream sold at local supermarkets? I think their business would triple at least, and I could quench my cravings more easily.

Their ice cream is flavorful, dense, not overly sweet and high quality.

Every bite I have in lychee, black sesame, green tea, pineapple, taro and mango, I could taste the tiny chunks of the real food. Each of them are all distinct flavor and so tasty and addictive.

On my target list: Almond cookie, zen butter and red bean. I am coming!

Hands down the best ice cream in the whole city. Sorry fancy gelato, costing more $$ doesn't mean better taste.

03/09/10

Small store, big flavors

by Evanismo , Citysearch Contributor at Citysearch

Housed in a tiny Chinatown storefront, CICF brings together two greats in American cuisine: ice cream and Chinese food. Though you probably won’t be seeing chicken and broccoli any time soon, such mouth-watering flavors as almond, red bean, ginger, lychee, and green tea are sure to suffice. Ice cream is all about choosing the flavor profile that fits your mood. I went with the new zen butter: like peanut butter, but with a hint of inner peace. My inner peace was slightly shattered by the frantic pace and long line stretching out the door, but this is Chinatown. Still damn good ice cream.

03/24/09

Hard to Find Ice Cream Flavors

by Semera at Citysearch

Ice cream is part of my life. I love eating ice cream. It's my passion and it's my hobby. A perfect day would be if I have an ice cream from Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. I don't know how they do it, but I love all their flavors. It's so good I can't stop myself from eating half gallons!! For real. Like, it's ice cream I've never had before. I will never find another ice cream parlor that will replace CICF in my heart. Some of the tropical flavors are: Almond, Lychee, Mango, Pandan, Durian, Banana, Green Tea, Peach and Coconut. Some of the exotic flavors they have that I couldn't find anywhere else are: Coffee Brandy, Wasabi and Pumpkin Pie.

I still have a lot to go to try all of their flavors. I'm telling you, every trip to this place is worth it because I leave happy and stress-free.

• Pros: Best Exotic ice cream flavors and ice cream cakes
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

03/15/09

BEST ICE CREAM EVER!

by Hon at Citysearch

I've never had so much fun eating ice cream until I had an ice cream from this place. Wow, so incredible. I love the mango ice cream. De-lish! I always order it whenever I'm in the neighborhood. I brought my sister there and she loves it to death! We both are obsessed of the mango ice cream. We love it so much we decided to bring some home in Jersey. My parents loved them so much too! In a way, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory brought my family together.

It's so awesome!!!!!

• Pros: Most awesome ice cream flavors in New York City
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

02/10/09

Exotic flavors

by jenlovesfood at Citysearch

I love the exotic flavors that Chinatown Ice Cream factory provides. There's plenty of flavors to choose from, so you have to like something. I always want more than one kind of ice cream. My favorite flavor is the Zen Butter. I hope they make more flavors soon. These flavors you cannot get anywhere else. It's A LOT better than Haagen Daaz, Baskin Robbins, etc. I promise you. So glad I live near this place. Also they give you a really large scoop for the price. I remember when it used to be $2.25 for one scoop, now since it's becoming really popular they've increased their prices rather quickly. However it doesn't matter, I love this place.

• Pros: Exotic flavors
• Cons: Sometimes a line

08/09/08

Engagement Cake

by JaneBee72 at Citysearch

I just got engaged and my fiancee got me a beautiful heart shaped cake from the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory to celebrate. He knows that my family always celebrates the holidays and important hallmarks in our lives with their cakes. It's only fitting that he get me a cake with my favorite flavors! The almond cookie is to die for~! He loves me and I love ice cream!

• Pros: Best ice cream in the city if not the world
• Cons: only one location

05/26/08

AVOID CAKE ORDERS

by jdlamkins at Citysearch

I was extremely disappointed with my cake order. I ordered a 13" green tea round cake. It tasted nothing like green tea ice cream, it cost $60 according to the ticket. Despite the fact that we specifically asked for a picture to be plastered on the cake when we ordered it, they decided (when we were picking up the cake) to charge $7 extra for the picture which is just an edible image they place on the cake... I didn't understand why they couldn't have just told us that from the beginning and write that on the ticket.

Completely ridiculous

• Pros: Wide variety of "exotic and not your everyday" flavors.
• Cons: Wayy overpriced, crowded, bad service, cocky owners.

03/06/08

THE BEST ICECREAM I EVER HAD IN MAHH LIFE!!

by crzyasssbqtch at Citysearch

i love their ice cream, especially the zen butter, which is made of tosted sesame with penut butter.. oh my god i cant no believe how it will taste like untill i tasted! it was out of my mind. and the employee there are are really friendly and nice. i think that they are trained to smile. lol.. the customer service was great, great attitude and ice cream.

• Pros: service, ice cream,

02/06/08

We don't have this in LA! Great ICE CREAM!!

by SexyLady1981 at Citysearch

I read so many reviews about this place, my husband and I had to try it while we were in Chinatown. The ice cream is SO GOOD! I LOVE the Red Bean and my husband had the Lychee...so YUMMY! The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because its so busy and they only have 2 people working and no place to sit. Its pretty cold to eat ice cream outside in the middle of Jan...but its worth it.

• Pros: YUMMY ICE CREAM!
• Cons: No Place to sit and So Crowded!