Delivery
Yes
The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory in New York
Categories
Location on the map
New York, New York County, New York, US
Service options
In-store shopping
Yes
Takeaway
Yes
Dine-in
No
Highlights
Great dessert
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
No
Planning
Quick visit
Yes
Phone: +1 212-608-4170
Site: http://www.chinatownicecreamfact...
Site: http://www.chinatownicecreamfact...
Opening hours
- Monday:11AM–10PM
- Tuesday:11AM–10PM
- Wednesday:11AM–10PM
- Thursday:11AM–10PM
- Friday:11AM–10PM
- Saturday:11AM–10PM
- Sunday:11AM–10PM
Comments (199)
Easily one of the best places to go to for Asian-themed ice cream. I always get the Pandan and Taro flavored ice cream from here, because although each flavor is amazing on its own, the combination of both is spectacular. The egg tart flavor is also so yummy and creamy.
Best. Ice cream. Ever. The pandan flavor gets sold out fast so come down early (I missed it 😭)If you like Durian- their durian ice cream is delightful- try it!Only a shame there is no seating area to enjoy the ice cream.
HOLY MOLY - this ice cream is unreal. I hate to use the “best I’ve ever had” platitude, but this is legitimately some of the best ice cream I have ever had in my life. We tried lychee and zen butter and both were insanely yummy. The zen butter in particular was mind blowing - I had never tasted anything quite like it before. You better believe I’ll be coming back here to try more flavors!
Fast efficient service which saw short line move fast. amazing range of flavours. The Almond cookie was delicious, I am still thinking about it days later.
Flava Flave! There are so many untraditional, fun ice cream flavors to choose from here. From don tot (egg custard) to red bean, but there’s vanilla too if you’re not feeling adventurous. I highly recommend the black sesame though. It’s not too sweet, a bit grainy, and tastes like authentic black sesame paste. If you’re lactose intolerant, there are sorbet options too with flavors like lychee. It’s a bit pricey for ice cream, but it’s such a novelty for locals and tourists.
You realize this place is special the second you walk by because it’s line is out-the-door! The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory has some incredible flavors from Durian to Almond Cookie to its most popular, Lychee. They allow sampling, which is great but makes your selection even harder!It’s crowded inside this small spot but that doesn’t take away from the overall amazing experience. Also, the artwork is adorable!
Insanely good ice cream with many exotic fruit flavors. The fruit flavors clearly stand out in an enjoyable fashion, texture is very good and the sweetness is just right.Their top-selling lychee and taro are both absolutely amazing and are must haves.Their durian is also quite decent.They also allow samples. The prices are a bit higher but it is definitely worth it for the exoticness.
Pretty good ice cream. I was able to get a small cup with 2 different flavors of ice cream for $6.75. Cash only though. Would 10/10 come here again
A GEM of a place in the heart of ChinatownMaybe for a while I was Alice in Wonderland, but I somehow magically stepped into an ice cream factory right in the heart of Chinatown!!! I had no idea such a place even existed. There was a line of people falling out the door as I patiently waited my turn and once inside the first thing to grab my attention was the deep green pistachio ice cream. The employees who work there are really cool by the way.The store has a long history, having been established since the late 70’s and with that a huge customer base. There are so many flavors of ice cream here that you will keep coming back for more. They also have some nice merchandise that is sold at the store.Some of the very popular flavors are Taro, Lychee, Almond Cookie, Mango, Black Sesame, Pandan, Red Bean, Green Tea, Pistachio, Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint Chip, Mocha Chip, Strawberry, Pineapple, Vanilla Fudge, Coffee, Pumpkin Pie, Banana, Coconut and even Coconut Fudge.
Wide range of ice cream flavors to choose from! Some more traditional flavors and unique ones as well. Cash only!
Cash only. However, the best ice cream in town! Plenty of flavors to choose from and great for munching while on the go as you explore Chinatown and surrounding areas!
Cash only!! But very delicious ice cream. Has plenty of options which they will let you try a sample for the flavors Ive never even heard of before. I had the Don Tot which is described as light creamy Chinese egg custard. It was perfect! I recommend getting two scoops, the first scoop goes for $6.50 while two scoops go for 8.50. Get a flavor you like and know and then try one of their flavors.
From massachusetts, prices were a little higher than Im used to. $9 for two scoops. I found you get more ice cream in a cup then on a cone. The staff seemed a little overworked, but they were friendly and they allowed me to taste three different types of ice cream prior to buying. I thought the ice creams were very good, smooth, creamy, tasty. Some of the locals recommended flavors. I really enjoyed the experience and trying new things. I actually seem to like the more exotic flavors better than the more tame flavors. If I hadnt had a 3-hour drive I probably will have bought some to take home. Fun exotic ice cream flavor adventure, I highly recommend!
I was initially disappointed that the durian and Don Tot (both flavors I realllly wanted to try) were out for the day, but luckily the taro and almond cookie were so tasty that it made up for the misfortune. At least it gives me another reason to come back and try more!
Amazing flavors and great service. We try to get a scoop every time were in Chinatown. I highly recommend pandan, taro, lychee rose and matcha & cookies.They also have dairy free/vegan options.Cash only.
I came on a rainy day so there was no line at all! I tried the lychee ice cream -- creamy and lychee-ish! Delicious!
I tried Almond Cookie, Lychee, and Lychee Rose. I definitely enjoyed Almond Cookie the most and Lychee Rose second. I wish I only picked one flavor because they started blending together while I was eating. I couldnt taste the individual flavors anymore at some point.
This place is way overrated with all the hype of unique Asian inspired ice-cream flavors. Their ice-cream is super pricy now and it is like $7-$8 for only 1 scoop (as of May 2022). However, to be fair the scoop is in decent size and the ice-cream is rich and creamy guilty pleasure. I wouldn’t go all the way to NYC Chinatown just to go there. Hey, if you’re in the area there are so many other great Chinese dessert places right next to it. -1 star for overpriced.Quick tips: Cash only and go there early before 6pm! Those unique Asian flavors will run out fast throughout the day. You must try the durian flavor if you are a durian lover!
The ice cream are delicious but a bit pricey. It has a lots of flavors to choose. If you go to Chinatown, NYC you have to try it.
Their ice cream is really good. All the flavors Ive had here have been delicious, though my favorites are usually pineapple and durian. The one minor downside about the ice cream here is you can tell they are using stabilizers, which is fine but I feel they could use a bit less of them. It makes the ice cream thicker and less messy to eat but it also doesnt melt in your mouth as easily as ice cream that doesnt use added stabilizers.
Almost ten years since I have been there and still the feeling of nostalgia.. They did not have my favorite apparently they dont out of ginger and pineapple 🍨. But the staff are awesome. Customer service is 4 🤩 ⭐⭐⭐⭐. No where to sit.. so get your cream 🍦 and slide. I am happy they are still open since the pandemic lots of my favorite spots were forced to shut down. Seems like things are almost back to normal. Its close to the train of canal street. Dont drive its not safe and theres literally no parking 🅿️. Unless you have a driving buddy. The streets are over crowded with TOURISTAS and sales folks with counterfeit goods. Their prices went up a tad bit. But we are in a recession. There are also less employees there to the date of this review. My observation only. A must visit in NYC local or tourist put the ice cream factory on your bucket list.
Absolutely amazing! Every single ice cream flavor is packed with flavor and creamy. The owners are so welcoming and lovely. They allow you to try samples but honestly cant go wrong with any of them. Cant wait to come back. Thank you!
Provide lots of unique favors ice cream here. I love the lychee one, you can taste the lychee pulp inside. Its a little bit pricy, but the portion is big though.
Very unique flavours. I wish Durian was available. One scoop should be sufficient. Highly recommend getting the waffle cone.
Super fresh ice cream in many unique flavors! I tried the strawberry and lychee, and both were unbelievably fresh and creamy!
Great ice cream and unique flavors. Even ate here when it was snowing earlier this year.
Amazing ice cream! I ordered Patan and it was delicious and unique. They have both regular and exotic flavors.
Super expensive ($7 for one scoop) but very tasty and interesting flavors. However, they were out of almost all the flavors I wanted to try. I do wish theyd cover the flavors they were out of on the menu in-store. There were about 3 people in line ahead of us and we went on July 4th. They also only take cash payments so dont come here with only a card on you.
We loved our ice cream, we mixed and match flavors like taro/lychee, almond cookie/zen butter and pumpkin/mango. It was an explosion of wonderful taste to our senses. Cant wait to go back and mix it up again.
Very unique flavors, and the ones I tried were all good. Heard people call this place overpriced, but you could instead think of it as premium.
Love the wide variety of flavors that range from Asians-inspired to the classic vanilla and chocolate. The ice cream all have a distinct eye-catching and saturated color. There was a line outside but the service was speedy and we didn’t have to wait long. The egg tart flavor was subtle but pleasantly similar to the real thing. I love the green tea and cookies, in which the tea flavor came through without being too bitter or sweet.
Super cute ice cream shop in the middle of China town!Love the variety of flavors. Exceptional flavors, hard to decide. If you can’t decide they let you try which is amazing.The only reason I don’t give 5 stars is that I think $6.50 for once scoop is quite steep. Even though the scoop is huge.
I loved that they have a great variety of flavors. Eccentric flavors and great quality. Also, the shop is super cute! However, I think the price is a little too much. We spent $17. And it is cash only.
Really nice mom and pop ice cream shop. They have a lot of flavors like lychee and black sesame that other chain shops wouldnt carry. The ice cream is on the pricier side but their portions are huge! Cash only though.
Be warned, cash only.Sadly, if youre lactose intolerant, you may be limited in your choices. For everyone else, go to town.[[UPDATE]]I know others will disagree, but the ice cream lacks any flavor at all.I got lychee and mango. Both looked appropriately correct, neither one had ANY flavor what so ever.How do you take flavor out of ice cream so completely.
My favorite ice cream shop in NYC Chinatown. It always has a long time and it’s really tight inside, but it goes by fast. CASH ONLY and tip please. The pandan, don tot (Chinese egg tarts), durian, and black sesame are solid flavors! Make sure to go earlier if you want pandan because they do run out towards closing. Their 1 scoop comes with two different flavor options which is really nice! Around $7 for a single scoop (2 flavors) - not bad and highly recommend. Will be back :)
Cash only! Make sure you bring cash but its so worth the really expensive ice cream! There arent many places that you can get these flavors if youre a tourist. Enjoy while you can.
Lots of unique flavors. Small place, size of a closet, average prices, friendly staff. Cheap with giving you napkins. No seating inside.Not all flavors of their website are actually available that given day.
This is in the heart of Chinatown with some of the best eclectic ice cream flavors. I typically choose my regulars but if I ever decide to try something new, I know I wont be disappointed. They only take cash, btw.
Love this spot is still going strong.I had the Almond cookie and ube in a red velvet cone. Really liked the almond cookie flavor and it had real pieces of cookies in the middle..didnt taste the ube. Could have been over powered by the almond. The red velvet Cone was nice and colorful but tasted like a sugar Cone. The ice cream was very creamy and hit the spot on a hot day. The service was great not just for me but observed how they treated others as well.q The gentleman who served me accommodated and gave me the two flavors to equal a small size ad I didnt want a huge amount. Service was quick and polite..Definitely will go back soon to try the other flavors.
Great ice cream flavors and fast and friendly service! Id give 5 stars but the matcha & cookies ice cream wasnt available the last two times I came by around 3 PM (please make more batches) and they raise prices frequently
Best ice cream Ive had in NYC! They have a lot of unique flavors including egg tart, pandan, lychee, almond cookie, thai tea, and more. I highly recommend getting a scoop of pandan and almond cookie ice cream in a waffle cone. This place is cash only so make sure you have cash on you. Totally worth it though!
Totally worth the hype. Durian is very subtle, I like green tea and both been flavors. Do not, I repeat do not order vanilla or chocolate - have some respect!
Summertime starts here for ice cream. This shop has a long history in Chinatown. It also has unique Asian ice cream flavors. I like the black sesame.
Cash only, expensive, but worth it. great flavors of asia plus your “exotic” flavors (aka more traditional). texture is thick and dense and anti-melty, the way ice cream should be imo. get the pandan!
Super cool spot in Chinatown!The ice cream is good and they have unique flavors! I loved the Red Bean.I would go if you’re ever in Chinatown.I’m planning on getting some merch haha
The ice cream we received was a decent 4/5 however the customer service wasn’t even 1/5, both workers were so rude and sassy. We came in for the first time and didn’t know what we wanted both the male and female workers were so impatient, slamming cups and napkins down in front of us when they messed up an order. Also about 1/4 of the flavors were out, when weasked for taro, strawberry or chocolate chip flavor they said “we’re out” with so much attitude and no apology. Would not come back.
The OG. Their pandan ice cream is so dreamy and perfect. Love that I can take a pint with me and can mix flavours (usually Ube, Pandan and either Coconut or Thai tea for me!!) and keep it in the freezer. Staff is always super sweet and helpful and they’re such a solid, classic and reliable staple in the neighbourhood. :)
Unhigenic, small choiceIn the early afternoon, the choice was very small. Most flavours were gone. The service is un-higenic: the same person scoops the ice-cream and later counts the cash.They do not accept credit cards.
They have a great selection of flavors and every flavor I tried was amazing!
Great, unusual ice cream. Visited with my family. We each got a medium cup with three flavors, and they were all awesome. I especially liked the Durian flavor.
For nearly 30 years, they have served cold treats and has grown popular due to the wild and unique flavors: Wasabi, black sesame, lychee, and peanut butter and jelly are just a few of the many unique flavors to try!
This is a must go to place when in Chinatown. Recommendations: black sesame, almond cookie, lychee and matcha. They do half-scoops if you want to try more flavours at the same time.
My favorite ice cream store in the city. I’ve tried the majority of their flavors - they all taste so authentic and you can taste the ingredients, not just artificial flavoring. The texture is super, super creamy. Some of my favorites are matcha cookies, mocha chips, ube, durian, black sesame, and egg tart. Their ice cream is not loaded with sugar like most typical chains.You cant really go wrong with anything here as long as its the flavor you’d normally like.Cash only. But you can get 2 flavors for 1 scoop!
Pricey, not sure what the hype is about. Its as generic as you can get. Just ice cream.Pros: tons of flavor choices, fast serviceCons: long lines, crowded tourist trap, pricing
The black sesame flavour is the bomb. I am going back more than once before i leave new york.Been to some other hyped up nyc ice creamery’s which i found disapointing. This is the one!
Has to be one of the best ice cream places I’ve ever been too. The flavors are unique and the staff are very helpful. They give generous portions too. Hope this helps!
Lychee and black sesame 😋 pls pls get it, so iconic for a reason
A classic dessert place in Chinatown. Definitely a must visit if you are visiting from out of the city. They have so many flavors it can be hard to choose, but what I love about the place is the variety of Asian inspired ice cream flavors. Ive had their lychee rose before which was pretty good. They also have other unique flavors like almond cookie, thai iced tea, and don tot (egg tarts). Of course, they also have the classics. I also really enjoy the thicker texture of the ice cream and they really fill up the cups over the top so even though its a bit pricey for one scoop ($6.50) its definitely worth it.The most recent time I visited, I tried the taro. Sweet, but not too sweet and definitely a good treat after eating some good Chinese food nearby.
Nice, clean, cool, small, and awesome ice cream spot in Chinatown. Staff is super polite. Plenty of flavors to try, and even sample. Exotic flavors too. Wide variety of topping. Merchandise on sale here too. Definitely recommend trying them out!
If you are ever in Chinatown, please please PLEASE do yourself a favor and stop in here and get yourself a cup of pandan ice cream. This place literally has the best pandan ice cream i have ever had In my life. Their other flavors are also very good and you can also find some strange and unusual flavors towards the end. This is a cash only establishment, as are most in the Chinatown area so keep that in mind.
Great flavors. there is a lot of variety. the shop itself is small but there are tons of people in just as a sense of how popular this place is. so many unique flavors like black sesame and egg tart and durian and red bean. tons of locals and tourists around. would come back. only thing is it is quite pricey. for just a few more dollars we were able to eat tons of food for lunch. its around $5 and some change for a scoop and $7 for two. in comparison to other ice cream places it is normal pricing.
Get the almond cookie flavor. You wont regret it. There are other flavors available such as banana & red bean.
Still one of the best Ice Cream places in Chinatown after so many years. This place is more known for their Oriental flavors than their traditional flavors so dont be afraid to try something new. My personal favorite flavor is black sesame. Its not pictured in this review. The flavors I chose this time were Don tot (Chinese Egg Custard) and Thai Ice Tea. There were both delicious. The store is a bit cramped but thats not what youre there for. You can also ask to try flavors before you decide on your purchase.
Heard a lot about this ice cream place. Finally decided to visit. It is really small shop. Dont let that fool you. They have about 16 different flavors of ice cream you can pick from. My friend and I got green tea, which tasted like green tea. I did not like it that much. As green tea has bitter taste to it. The other flavor we got was coconut fudge 🤤. That coconut fudge was really delicious & had coconut shaving in it. Good thing about this flavor was that it was not loaded with sugar.Overall great experience. They also have some merch you can buy. I would recommend this place.
Ice cream flavors youre unlikely to find at any other ice cream place. And even the common ones like Mango and Green Tea seem better. Good place to visit when in Chinatown @ Manhattan.Small location bustling with customers, which is good and bad. Bad because the staff seem overwhelmed and dont have time for a smile and want to move to next customer standing in line
We visited with a group of friends, very fast service and great ice cream, the zen butter and the taro were both amazing flavors. Remember to bring cash
Popular ice cream joint located in Manhattan Chinatown. They serve a large spectrum of flavor that will accommodate everyones pallettes.There are multiple choices of sizes and serving variants.You will only get two samples so make sure you choose wisely and fast. Seems like they want you to move fast even if there is no one there.But quality of ice is always consistent and refreshing. And a fun little shop thats welcoming.
You must checkout The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory when in the area! The friendly staff will let you try their exotic flavors of ice cream. I sampled a few and ordered a scoop of lychee rose... It was tasty! I look forward to visiting Chinatown again so I can try more flavors.
AMAZING! 10/10.I was waiting for my noodles and saw a line so I had to try. I got the mango and matcha cookie ice creams. I dont looovvee matcha... I actually kind of hate it but it looked so yummy and Im so glad I got them together. the sweetness of the mango complimented the tea aftertaste of the matcha and the cookie was a bonus. As was the poke decoration 🥰. Ice cream texture and flavor was unmatched. I had to wait but the line moved very swiftly. I didnt get a picture until I was several blocks away.
If you like ice cream and you like it flavors like Sesame, Red Bean, Mango, or Taro, this is the place for you. They will also give you small samples. Note that even with a small cup you can get two different flavors as they can do half and half. Know that they wont put sorbet with ice cream though. They also do cakes and other special orders if you give them enough time. And the Pocky sticks are a nice touch to garnish.
They had some very unique flavors. Didn’t want to get anything generic so I went with green tea Oreo, black sesame and rainbow mochi. I was a bit skeptical, but it was delicious! PS: CASH ONLY
Had the pandan ice cream and the matcha cookies and cream, both were excellent. The ice cream was the perfect texture, not freezer burned at all. Definitely worth a stop. They had all sorts of cones, probably about 20-30 flavors, and topping optons as well.
Ice cream and Asian cuisine don’t jump off the page to me as a synergistic pairing but I’m delighted to say the ice cream at this shop is among the best I’ve had in NYC. Another perk if NYC food culture, you’re constantly learning about awesome flavor pairings, it’s the best. Anyhow, this cash only ice cream parlor in Chinatown doubles down on what it does well, delicious ice cream with excellent flavor profiles and creative variety. This shop boasts over two dozen flavors ranging from classics such as mint chocolate chip to flavors of Asian influence such as their Matcha tea or Dorian selections. I’ve tried a few flavors, albeit on the traditional side but they were all of high quality. Choose a flavor (or two) based on your adventurous scale and dig in! The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory does not disappoint, it’s rather a refreshing surprise to satisfy your sweet tooth. This is ideal choice for ice cream lovers to conclude your dining experience once you’ve finished off an indulgent meal at one of the surrounding Chinatown favorites.
I can’t believe this tiny little ice cream shop serves more than 30 different flavors although sometimes they may miss one or some other flavors. The shop is often packed with long lines. If you like gelato liked flavors I wouldn’t suggest this place. You’d better stroll down to Little Italy. The flavors served here are more Asian typed like red bean, lychee, black sesame etc. The ice cream is so fresh with real ingredients in it without overly sweet!
While the ice cream is very good, I was disappointed this time. We ordered an ice cream birthday cake themed for the new year Year of the Pig with three flavors: Taro, Red Bean and Pandan, but when we started to serve the slices, we noticed the cake was predominantly Taro, we hardly noticed the layer of Red Bean, nor even tasted it, and the same with the Pandan. What was the purpose of designing a cake together with one of the employees when they dont follow directions???
The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory never disappoints no matter what flavor I choose to have during each visit. Normally, my favorite ones are mango, lychee, and taro. Todays flavor was almond cookie. The almond flavor was very apparent and you got bits of cookie with every bite.I am happy with the inclusion of the soft serve which offers different flavors each day. Todays were taro and vanilla but Ive seen mango and green tea also offered on other days.
There are so many ice cream flavors at Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, and that is the reason that the line is always so long. The store clerks are extremely patient as many first-time patrons request for a taste of exotic flavor of ice cream. My personal favorite is the Egg Custard: it tastes just like the popular dim sum dish. Other perennial favorites are Taro, Black Sesame, and Green Tea. Personally, I dont think they add enough matcha powder in the Green Tea flavor, but its probably to appeal the flavor to a wider audience. Prices are very reasonable for NYC standards, but beware that the place is cash only. If you find yourself in Manhattans Chinatown (especially after a giant meal at a Chinese restaurant with the elders), stop by the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory for an after-meal dessert.
Classic ice cream brick and mortar storefront offering a variety of special flavors and classic flavors. Small store with lines going out the door during peak times. Definitely worth the wait. Cash only!
Nice ice cream. Had Macha Oreo and Lychee ice cream, both were delicious.
Family business thats been around over 30 years. It sounds promising, but unfortunately I was bit dissapointed. It looks so cute and nice in the inside. The staff is very friendly and helpful. They have a lot of flavours to choose from. But this alone doesnt make it great. I tried about 5 different flavours and they all tasted quite the same. They were not distinctive enough. I expected something Italian gelato-like - wished for more intense tastes.
Getting more pricey. But the quality is very good. Best red beans ice cream in town. Of course the other favorites are good too.
Cash only!! Amazing ice cream! This place has some of the best ice cream Ive had in the city. Green tea, taro and many other traditional flavors are good but dont skip out on the cookies and cream or chocolate and cookies!! They definitely dont skimp on the cookies. Make the stop for the ice cream. Couple times the waffle cones were not super crunchy, get a different cone or cup instead.
Rare and delicious ice cream flavors. Even in SE Asia, I never had pandan and durian-flavored ice cream this enjoyable. The ginger ice cream was also exceptional.
A very tasty China town NYC icecream place. I like the Black sesame, The Almond/fortune cookie flavor. I asked to try the funny smelling Durian flavor. It had a musky scent. Lol. But, it was damn good tho.
Excellent ice cream but not exactly china town prices. I had a scoop of the black sesame which was $5.75. Really interesting selection of pan-Asian flavours like lychee, pandan and green tea with orios. They also had fun coloured cones and toppings. Really nice, high quality ice cream.
Good ice cream! A lot of flavors!Cash only
Awesome little place! Tried the durian ice cream. It was weird but I liked it! Definitely had to try it. Zen butter was good too. Cute logo as well!
Ice Cream is Very Good, New & Original Flavors that cant be matched in Quality. But the Prices are a little steep for Ice Cream.
Very delicious ice cream and super friendly staff. They let me try any flavor I asked. Definitely makes for a great stop when in the area or a date night
Amazing selection of flavors. Ask for a free sample to help you decide.
Fabulous ice cream. A must go in NYC. Take it in a cup or a cone. Add some boba on top if you’re feeling spicy.
Chinatown is worth a visit anyway, but make sure you go to the Original Ice Cream Factory and get a cone of one of their amazing flavours. Pumpkin Pie was delicious and I wish I could eat that everyday. If youre adventurous then ask for a taste of the durian fruit flavor....
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is easily one of the best places to get ice cream in Chinatown, if not the best. Its been in the area for over 3 decades, with amazing Asian flavored ice cream, like lychee, pandan, red bean, ube, green tea, black sesame, taro, and more.During my most recent visit, I got the double scoop (but you can choose 3 flavors). The scooper recommended us to mix the ube and pandan flavors together, which was a great combination. The lychee was super refreshing as well!(My fiance did not feel experimental and said no to durian, so Ill have to try that myself during a future visit. Ginger and don tot sound cool as well)Prices for Ice Cream (cup/cone):1 scoop $6.752 scoops $8.753 scoops $11.25Pint $11.25Quart $16.25Gallon $90I also had an ice cream cake here, which was one of my favorite cakes of all time. My ice cream had green tea, lychee, and mango, wrapped in a mochi shell - all delicious flavors, you really cant go wrong!Chinatown Ice Cream Factory pretty much has non-stop lines going in and out of the store, especially on the weekends. Super quick service though and I love the bright sign designed by the CPC kids as well! CIFC is a must visit for ice cream when youre in NYC :)
Unique experience, Delightful flavors. An icon in NYC!
Finally no long lines..of course minus 30 degree wind chill might have something to do with that. Stopped by after grabbing a char shui bao and a cup of coffee to warm up across Baysrd St. Had a few bites of sons lychee and pandan leaf (pinescrew) combo...quite tasty ...lots of inventive flavors with the perfect asian infusions. Green tea and oreo ...asian answer to cookies and cream. Lychee had some nice pieces of lychee, always a treat.
The best ice cream in the city. Family favorites are almond cookie, green tea, taro, black sesame, and lychee. Its pricey but worth it. Be aware that one scoop will often do it because it is a really thick, rich ice cream! There is usually a line out the door, but it moves quickly. They are very nice about trying flavors, so if youre not used to some of these Asian flavors, you can try before you buy. My favorite ice cream in the city!
Came here after dinner in Chinatown. Have visited previously and enjoyed the taro and lychee flavors. We tried black sesame, almond, chocolate Oreo, coffee and this white sesame + peanut flavor. The almond one was the most disappointing - tastes like pure almond essence. Luckily we got it as the top scoop so we threw it out and eat the rest 🤣 service was mediocre - had to ask our female server 3 times to sample 1 single flavor, and we ordered 7 scoops in total
Wow! I am still in utter amazement for this place! Being an ice cream maniac myself, I have visited many ice cream shops in Manhattan and elsewhere. I have to admit that this place is the best as in the ice creams texture, flavor selections and their service. The ice cream is rich&creamy and the sorbet is fresh&flavorful. I am suprised by the creative flavors such as wasabi(ikr!), egg custard, maple bacon and etc. I tried the lychee sorbet and tasted fresh chopped up lychee in it. Everyone of the staff was patient and willing to answer my questions. I would definitely go there more often in the future!
Small place with a lot of charm, so many amazing flavors! The staff are really nice and explain all the different kinds, my favorite is red bean, great stuff.
Amazing little ice cream shop that I had visited when younger and couldnt remember what or where until recently. They have really interesting flavors, and even the standard ones like mango are well-made. Four stars because like a good portion of manhattan and especially Chinatown, its cash only
The OG ice cream shop in Chinatown. Packed with so many different delicious flavors, you came come back many times and still try something new. They make everything in house and it’s creamy, airy, and unique. My personal favorite is the black sesame and as much as I want to explore every other flavor, I can’t stop getting black sesame. Nutty, toasty, with a little bit of sesame bits with texture — it’s utter perfection. They have raised their price since I was a child, but rent is expensive as hell in NYC so I understand. They also sell ice cream that you can customize the flavors and it’s always tasty! The green tea isn’t my cup of tea (the floral sweet green, rather than matcha taste I prefer). The mango is rich and brimming with flavor. The lychee rose I’ve heard fantastic reviews about, but personally don’t love lychee so haven’t tried myself. The thai ice tea is also tasty. They give our samples so feel free to try! They can be very packed and there might be a wait.
They have some unique and exotic flavours! I had the Zen butter (which is a store regular), was rich and creamy, not too sweet with (sesame) seeds in it. My friend had the durian ice cream!! Shes Filipina! I did not like it 😂
A small ice cream shop with lots and lots of delicious unique flavors! Flavors range from lychee to castle black sesame, Thai tea, Oreo, taro and more. I personally loved the Thai tea and black sesame flavors. Definitely worth a try if youre looking for dessert after eating out in Chinatown!
Fantastic ice cream! Try the black sesame, delicious.
Great asian ethnic flavors. The black sesame has a great nutty taste. Lychee is perfectly sweet and the green tea is fragrant and delicious.
Excellent ice cream. $6/scoop (more like the equivalent of 3).plenty of variety to choose and sample from all over the world - i.e., pandan, sesame, ginger, taro, matcha cookies. super friendly staff.
Ive been coming here for the last 20 years. Its one of my favorite ice cream places and probably one of the first that give you that Asian flavour of home. I always get the ginger, lychee, and avocado 3 scoop. Is almost always busy but the line moves. They dont rely on gimmicky tricks. Stick to the Asian influenced flavours...otherwise all the regular flavours you can get in your local ice cream parlour. Prices extremely fair.
Awesome ice cream! Great taste, staff are friendly and patience. They will give you free example and will help you. Nice trip to Chinatown!
They have your standard flavors, but we opted for some of their unique offerings...dragon fruit, ginger and pumpkin pie. All were delicious. A single scoop will set you back around $5.
The portion was huge. Got the taro and green tea oreo. It was super busy and a lot of people were hanging around enjoying their ice cream outside the shop.
My favorite ice cream place in the world. The place to go if you like interesting flavors that are done well. This is the only pumpkin pie flavor Ive ever liked. Its so good and its not disgusting pumpkin spice. Combined with a scoop of the creamy flavors like egg tart or almond cookie is so delicious. But thats no surprise because every flavor they make is delicious and has perfect texture.
Always a fun stop. Service is always great and the ice creams are wonderful. They seem to switch up some flavors pretty often, which is super fun. Last night I tried Pandan, a Malaysian LEAF, and it was incredible!! Love this spot.
$6.75 for a single scoop cone which they called it ice-cream? The taste was just okay, purely tourist trap. I love to support local business but the respect has to be mutual. Sorry.
Almond cookie ice cream was incredible!! We also loved the coconut ice cream. Pineapple was good not great. They give very generous portions for the price. We got over a pint size for $10.50- 3 scoops
Exotic icecream flavors. My favorite is black sesame and red bean. They charge for tasting. Also it is cash only and the line is usually out the door. Expect to wait more than 30 minutes.
Small shop but great ice cream. Have been coming here for over 20 years since I was in highschool. Great to see and visit when Im in the area. Have always been a fan of the lychee sorbet 😀.
The ice cream here is SO delicious. The flavors are really unique (try the pandan ice cream), and the portions are generous. Each of our cups came with a little Pocky. Lines may seem long at first glance, but move really quickly, which is great. The shop itself is tiny and a little cramped, so dont expect to eat inside. But thats okay, because it gives you a chance to walk and enjoy the sights of Chinatown!
I am an ice cream lover so my friend suggested this place in Chinatown. They have plenty of flavors to choose from. The texture was good and the actual taste was good as well.
Lot of original and Asian flavored ice cream. One of the best places!
Don’t let the not so fancy interior trip you up, this ice cream is 🔥 unique, good flavors. Worth the price!
It took a while for my boyfriend and I to decide what we wanted because theres so many unique flavors! I decided on a scoop of mango and a scoop of mocha chip, and my boyfriend settled on two scoops of lychee. All three flavors were delicious, and I liked how they put a pocky stick in each of our cups. Very nice ice cream shop!
Shockingly good ice cream in a place you would not culturally expect a dairy focused place. The ice cream is just the right texture - soft and scoopable, not rock hard from the freezer, and there is no hint of thickeners, just well churned cream. The Asian flavours are subtle but definitely present: the taro and lychee are excellent.
Great tasting Ice cream. Have non dairy lychee sorbet!
Ice cream is very good and plenty of flavors. However, they do not accept credit cards and have no signs indicating such..
Delicious 😋 ice cream 🍦 I had cookie almond flavor 😋 my favorite there
Hole in the wall vibes with consistently great ice cream. Prices are awesome too.
Super yummy matcha and cookies ice cream! Really unique flavors and you have the ability to sample some. Just make sure to bring cash
Expensive but delicious - nowhere to sit - so on a REALLY hot and humid day, we had to stand out on the street. We had ginger with boba topping and green tea flavors.
Their “regular” flavours include: Almond Cookie, Black Sesame, Lychee, Pandan, Don Tot (Chinese egg custard), Ube/Taro, Durian (if you dare), Ginger, Zen Butter, etc., then of course they have “exotic” ones such as: Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Strawberry, Rocky Road. For more about my fave ice cream places, check out my website Joy et Joie.
This ice cream was a bit disappointing for the price! For over $6 for a small, I would have wanted the flavor to be amazing, but it was just average. They were also cash only, at least for small purchases. They get some extra points for having some flavors that you won’t find in most other places, though!
Still the best Ice Cream shop in Chinatown!! I’ve been coming for at least 20 years? The almond cookie and green tea are still my favorites. (Long before matcha was a thing!)
The taro ice cream is so crazily good! A must-go when in Chinatown!
Definitely try taro icecream
Tasty ice cream with many exotic flavors. Worth a stop when in the area.
8,99$ for one scoop. The outside of the buckets were dirty and you could see the mould
The guide in a food tour recommended this place. The ice cream is like $6 for one scoop but its soo good!!I had the matcha Oreo and the almond cookie and it was amazing ! Definitely recommend !
Great ice cream! The egg custard was the best
The icecream is delicious. Lots of flavors I have NEVER seen before. A definite must!
Get the taro and lychee ice cream. Unique flavors always bring me back here!
Great variety to choose from. Reasonably priced. Great Taste. Not overly Sweet but just the right level. Good place to experiment with flavours especially the exotic ones.
This place has my favorite ice cream flavors in the world: black sesame and pandan. Must try!! I always buy pints to take home and ice cream cakes for my birthday lol its a small store (with no seating btw) but theres so many great flavors I still havent tried yet..they have sorbets too for yall dairy free folks 😏
Thai tea ice cream flavor is worth the detour, no matter what subway line you are coming from to Chinatown
Some great flavors. We were surprised to see a flavor we are normally used to seeing as a custard the Don-tot. Which is a kind of egg custard. It was really good.
Had their black sesame and lychee. Price was great for the portion and the ice creams were fantastic. The right amount of sweetness and smoothness.
Really genuinely good ice cream!! I couldn’t decide between all the appetizing flavors so I got the Rainbow flavor which is a little of everything:) highly recommend
I can’t explain the grip this place has on me. i have to go every time im in chinatown. the matcha, pistachio and ALMOND COOKIE flavors are amazing and i can’t wait to try more. bring cash!!
Ice cream was delicious. MAKE SURE YOU BRING CASH!!!!
The taro ice cream turns your tongue purple and they sell little enamel pins of the fat dragon logo. Five stars.
The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is one of those establishments that really stand the test of time. really some of the best ice cream to have in the city. they have all sorts of flavors ranging from your classic vanilla to durian ice cream my favorite is the Almond Cookie. absolutely recommend
Nice place, good choice of ice cream regular and exotic, not overpriced.Tried lychee, taro and coconut flavors! Yum!!
Pretty good ice cream but definitely not the best Ive ever had. I enjoyed the green tea Oreo ice cream! this is the only place Ive ever seen that flavor before. Literally a combination of my 2 favorite flavors! If Im in the area I might stop by again but there are plenty of other ice cream places around to try. The line was also very long and wrapped around outside of the door, we got there right before it started forming thank goodness. Also if you check in and you get a free topping!
Good ice cream. They had all kind of fun flavours. I liked my green tea Oreo.
This classic Chinatown staple is a must visit for any ice cream lover. In a city with some great ice cream parlors this is my favorite. They have amazing exotic East-Asian flavors like durian, pandan, don tot, lychee, black sesame, red bean, taro, boba, green tea, and matcha among others. They also have old standards like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry for those looking for something more traditional. Either way you cant go wrong as everything is homemade and rich in flavor. The only problem is youll struggle to pass this place again without stopping in for a treat; you might even go out of your way to make that happen.If you do decide to visit just know its cash-only and the space is small so theres nowhere to sit inside. There might be a line in the summer but its well worth the wait.
They are a must try if you’re in NYC! Love their rainbow and pandan flavors soo much. Worth every penny.
Amazing variety of flavors! Nice rich and creamy as well.
My all-time favorite ice cream spot. Must visit with each Chinatown visit! Of course, its almond cookie
Thick buttery texture ice cream. would love to return and try many other flavours. a tad overpriced
I had a lychee/almond cookie combo of 2 scoops in a cup. The lychee was delicious. The almond cookie is an acquired taste. It has an overwhelming taste of Anise. I would pass on it next time. My partner had a mango/strawberry two scoops on a waffle cone. She exclaims it was the most delicious ice cream ever.
We keep ordering the ice cream cakes from here for family birthdays because theyre so, so good. If you call a couple of days in advance you can customize your flavours but they usually also have some standard three-flavor combinations available. Were particularly fond of lychee/mango/strawberry. The ice cream here is very good! And the service is great too. Theyll give you an ice pack with your ice cream cake if you need one while traveling with it.
Not happy with them not giving ice pack because we’re 1 hr away and not MORE than 1 hr.
Good ice cream, not-so-good pricing policies.They would only put 3 flavors to a container, even if I bought a whole quart. I wish you would just give me all the flavors I want. Rules are for school, not for ice cream.
Been going here for years... happy its still around. A bit pricey but tasty. Recommended.
Man I wish this spot was able to scale. I love the unique ice cream flavors offered here. Prob one of the best lychee ice creams ive had to date.
Very small place and was very busy when we went so you kind of have to pick your flavors quick or already know in advance what you want to order. Also dont expect to sit there and eat your ice cream. Youll want to buy it, walk out and eat it while walking around Chinatown. Taro, lychee and green tea are a few popular flavors. I would say this is a must try! Fun experience!!! Definitely recommend!
First timer in NYC. The location was easy to find in the heart of Chinatown. The shop has a variety of flavours to choose from that you would not be able to find anywhere else, such as Black Sesame. I tried the Pistachio and Strawberry flavours and they were both very soft and vibrant colours and tastes. Its a Cash Only business as well. This makes a good ending to a night out in Chinatown or Little Italy.
Usually a wait, but still worth it. Tiny shop with unique flavors - black sesame and lychee are bomb. Cash only, great service.
I was stunned by how many different and authentic and unique Chinese bakery- inspired flavors this place had to offer. I sampled most of the flavors and bought myself the sesame and cookie butter flavors, and I loved both of them. I also tried the taro ice cream flavor and I really could not decide which of the three was my favorite, they were all so good! They tasted really fresh and had the creamy texture that is so ideal for ice cream. The price for a good portion of ice cream was also fairly cheap. Given its location in NYC and the space of the shop, which is pretty small and cramped, there are always a lot of people in the parlor buying ice cream, so at times it may be too crowded and inconvenient to get your ice cream fix right when you want it. Though there’s almost no decor and old furniture, the shop doesn’t aim to impress customers with its interior, rather the great tasty flavors of its ice cream.
Go-to ice cream shop for Asian flavors in NYC. Not too sweet and the flavors on point! Egg custard is my favorite.
CASH ONLY! Awesome selection of ice cream flavors. Ordered the red bean and the brown sugar boba and they were both delicious.
Tons of amazing flavors you won’t find elsewhere. Quick service. The matcha & cookies is a must try! Cash only. $6.50 for a small (about two scoops).
Their ice cream is amazing. I constantly get the quart sized tub so I can enjoy the ice cream at home. The price is pretty expensive for a scoop or two but it is definitely worth it.With a lot of flavor options, you will never be bored of the ice cream factory. Each flavor is unique and it is definitely worth trying.
I loved this place. I thought that even though it was small, it had a lot of energy! The music was great, and the servers were great, too! I got the Oreo flavor, and it was obviously homemade! It was super rich, creamy and flavorful. The price was great for the portion; this place is definitely worth a visit. I would definitely recommend to a friend! Forgot to mention, they also have some unique flavors if you’re feeling adventurous, but you certainly won’t go wrong with choosing a more plain flavor.
They have a lot of original and crazy cool flavors. I had green tea ice cream 😋
I ordered peanut butter and sesame seeds and wow so tasty! They let me try a bunch of flavors and I picked that one. I got a quart container to go. The young lady really packed the ice cream in tight I really feel like I got my moneys worth. She even put the container in a bag to keep it cold. Check out this place of you are in the area really great flavor and texture. They accept credit and debit cards.
This is the most awesome fried ice cream Ive tried! Very tasty ice-cream horns with a taste of pistachios. Hospitable and friendly waiters. I was satisfied after the order. The toilet and the dining room were tidied up (during my stay at the cafe). I put 5 stars out of 5. Im glad.
Best ice cream this side of town. So glad to have discovered it during our 2nd visit to NYC. Our favorite ice cream place in Brooklyn is under new management. Ironically it is called Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. And we walked the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan and then back into Chinatown. And we discovered this jewel.
Very well known at this point. The small ice cream shop is great and filled with interesting and fun Asian inspired flavors.Definitely worth checking out all year around though there isnt much space to hang out if it is too cold to bring your ice cream outside.Almond cookie is a great flavor
Classic - deserves the extra bucks but you do wonder how you can spend 10 bucks on an entre next door or buy ice cream with it. Exotic flavors a must try - otherwise no point to going here.
A landmark of Chinatown, that cant be passed up. NOTE: CASH ONLY! (Also best to bring cash around our beloved Chinatown.) Try a double scoop of taro and matcha oreo. Every cup comes with pocky sticks! Yum! Enjoy!
More reputation than quality. Staff is not friendly. Cash only
Wonderful ice cream, so many different and unique flavors! I love the fat dragon mascot so much!
The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory never disappoints no matter what flavor I choose to have during each visit. Normally, my favorite ones are mango, lychee, and taro. Todays flavor was almond cookie. The almond flavor was very apparent and you got bits of cookie with every bite.I am happy with the inclusion of the soft serve which offers different flavors each day. Todays were taro and vanilla but Ive seen mango and green tea also offered on other days.
Was the ice cream good? Yeah it was pretty good. Was it worth the price per scoop? Nope.
Very very delicious ice cream. They have different flavors you probably wont find in other places. Their prices are a little pricey but well worth it, if u want to spoil yourself to a delicious treat. Its a small place and I think its family owned and operated. The staff members are really cool and helpful and you can try different samples before you make your final decision. They even sell their t-shirt with their name on it, so you can show your support!
The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory isnt shy about having bold, exotic flavors! I had the coconut fudge Ive cream. I tried the durian... It kinda tastes like an overly ripened fruit. The portions are big, but you get what you pay for. Id love to go there when its not busy, and try all the flavors..if allowed 🍦 Definitely coming back!
Went on Sep 21, 2020 on a weekday afternoon and there was no line. Because of COVID you cant sample flavors and both of the flavors I got were pretty ordinary, which was disappointing for such an iconic NYC destination. The taro flavor was labelled taro, but now that I check online it says taro/ube so maybe that explains why it tasted nothing like taro. The almond cookie flavor tasted like just almond extract with some cookie bits in it that didnt really add much to the texture or flavor.
A little pricey ($7 for two scoops), but the flavor selection is great. Tasted the almond cookie and would definitely get that the next time we go, but had to try the Taro and Coconut flavors first. Also tried the Pandan. Very smooth flavor, not overpowering. A great summer treat!
The ice cream flavors were all good, however theres the line. Its worth the wait. Thanks
Total reviews rating 4.5
199 Reviews for The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory 2023:
Review №1
2022-01-15Pricey for ice cream but SO WORTH IT! The flavors are so unique, asian oriented and all very delicious. We were very surprised as to how much flavor they were able to put into the ice cream and it always matched the description accurately. We got 2 scoops: black sesame and egg custard. The black sesame was our favorite by far, the taste was rich and dark--you could really taste the sesame. The egg custard was also so good! Tastes exactly how you would imagine it to. Neither flavors were too sweet.
Review №2
2022-06-14Great ice cream spot. They have a lot of flavors to choose from! I love the Ube a lot!! Great texture and very creamy. And what’s great about it is you could tell they use natural ingredients and it doesn’t taste artificial. Definitely a must when you’re in Chinatown.
Review №3
2022-07-06Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is a classic. We got there at around noon on a Sunday and there was a crowd of people outside. Thankfully, there was no line inside. This was our go to when I was a kid for ice cream cakes. But man is it expensive (or maybe it was always expensive and I just never knew/appreciated the value as a kid). One scoop nowadays is $7 I believe! It does fill up a cone though - its more like 2 small scoops into the cone. We went with the egg custard flavor and it did not disappoint. It is reminiscent of a don tot but not overly sweet, which I appreciated. Its definitely a once in a while treat, when you want some unique flavors you cant find elsewhere, and a bit of nostalgia.
Review №4
2022-05-12I always came here growing up to get my favorite flavor, black sesame ice cream. There are tons of of Denali joys and diverse flavors. It’s definitely more expensive than average ($11.99 per pint) so I recommend treating yourself a flavor that you wouldn’t get to try at any other place, like black sesame, lychee rose, or don tot. There is no seating inside and seems to be cash only.
Review №5
2022-02-04Cash only but worth it.🍨Both the bandan and lychee flavor I got were delicious and I recommend! (I chose coconut fudge to taste, it was good too but a little bit too sweet for me.) It was creamy, thick, and rich. Two small scoops (still huge for me) were less than $7.People were nice with patience, friendly introducing flavors when I asked.
Review №6
2022-05-28I wish I had a picture of the ice cream I bought, but I ate it too quickly!! The Lychee and the Taro were insanely delicious! I thoroughly recommend trying this place out if you have a sweet tooth and you are ever near to Chinatown in NYC! 🤤
Review №7
2022-05-25Love it!!! All my fave flavor in one place. Taro ,red bean, green tea, pistachio, salted caramel YUMMY! Definitely worth checking out. Will definitely visit again. My husband love his coconut ice cream.
Review №8
2022-06-22Such an incredible menu of unique flavors, I wish I could have tried them all. I ordered the Black Sesame and it was exquisite. As others have mentioned, its a little pricey for a single scoop (~$6) but its worth it. Cash only!
Review №9
2022-07-22A lot of exotic and interesting flavors like Pandan, Durian, Egg tart, Lychee. They were pretty good and the flavors were a bit strong for my liking. I think the coloring on the ice cream was a bit excessive didn’t feel natural to me. Overall good ice cream, I just think the flavoring and coloring were a bit strong for my liking.
Review №10
2022-03-08A small cash only ice cream place with several varieties of Asian flavors. You’re allowed to split one scoop.We got the egg tart, pandan, lychee rose, and almond cookie. My favorite is the almond cookie, and it tasted just like one.They give a lot of ice cream, but it costs about 6 for 1 scoop and ~11 for 3; being relatively pricey compared to other shops or franchises.