The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
Ice Cream Parlor$$$$
Chinatown, New York
The experts at Food & Wine and The Corcoran Group recommend this place
"Zen Butter is awesome - toasted sesame and peanut butter."(34 Tips)
"Try the lychee ice cream & lychee sorbet yum yum yummy👍"(21 Tips)
"I had the almond cookie ice cream and it blew my mind!"(10 Tips)
"Combine the almond cookie and black sesame ice creams!"(21 Tips)
428 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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Thalia GuilermoMay 14, 2017This are one of my favorites place to have icecream. One scoop is like two. They have a bunch of flavors, from the regular ones ( chocolate, Oreo, vanilla...) to green tea, Taro, red bean, ginger.
- Djaniella D.July 16, 2016You will find more than just your typical flavors here, so grab something out of the ordinary! Must try: taro, pandan, black sesame. This is a single scoop & I asked to split into 2 different flavors.
Kyle ByeJuly 12, 2016A small is supposed to be "one scoop" but they'll let you mix 2 flavors. Make sure one of those flavors is pandan. Also, don't forget to check in on Swarm for a free topping!
Alex RobertsonJanuary 12, 2017certainly it's expensive, but the almond cookie flavor is to die for--and I love the wry trick of naming your average vanilla/chocolate-type flavors "exotics". friendly staff too!
Pejman DavariMarch 27, 2023Delicious ice cream. I tried Mango. And my wife try pumpkins!! A lot of choice. You can try taste before ordering. The Price was 7.45 for one scope which can be reasonable in New York city.
Dáša JaníkováMarch 5, 2020If you want to try different kinds you are at the appropriate place. This factory offers different and unusual flavours and ice cream is really great.
- Fawziah QadirOctober 12, 2013The scaffolding and tiny entrance might cause you to miss this gem! The ice cream is all handmade on the premise! I had the almond cookie ice cream and it blew my mind! But almost $11 for two cones 😖
MarcelAugust 17, 2013One of NY's finest ice cream shops - and definitely the one with the most extraordinary flavors. Sureshots are: Chocolate Chip, Eggcustard and Almond Cookie. For the fun of it, try the Maple Bacon ice
elizabeth obih-frankJuly 26, 2014The pistachio flavor is divine and perfectly balanced. Frankly, most of their flavors are delicious and creamy. You can't go wrong with any of them. Service is fast and the wait time on line is short.
Jole PAugust 18, 2019That is some PRICEY ICE CREAM (Like $6 for a small w 2 flavors) but worth at least visiting once as it is admittedly very delicious
Halstead PropertyJune 13, 2013Very seldom can you declare that you can't go wrong with whatever you order, their ice cream is an exception. We loved the Zen Butter, toasted sesame seeds & peanut butter embodies a true state of zen
Justin OrdovezaNovember 15, 2014This place to me is so magical. Eating ice cream and walking in Chinatown is a great experience. Get the black sesame it's do rich and the flavor is so intense.
Linda ChowJuly 2, 2015Exotic flavors here you won't find anywhere else. Get the red bean, green tea, black sesame, or almond cookie! Lychee sorbet is great as well. They also do ice cream cakes.
MelissaSeptember 29, 2017Many flavors to choose from and they're given in huge portions! The ice cream itself is very creamy and great to share with others if you can't eat it all yourself!
BuzzFeedApril 23, 2014This long-time neighborhood establishment specializes in delicious Chinese-inflected scoops like Zen Butter (peanut butter with sesame seeds), almond cookie, lychee, red bean and black sesame.
Alexa Mae AsperinMay 5, 2012You won't regret trying the black sesame ice cream! For $4, you get a taste of rich, creamy sweetness that takes a spin w/ black sesame seeds & flavor that both complement each other well! Must have! Read more
Alyssa B.February 14, 2022The Small Size lets you have “half and half” of two flavors. Taro (not ube) and cookies and cream were both good 6/10, although it could use more cookies! I’m curious to try the other flavors.
RisaFebruary 7, 2015Can't go wrong with: Pandan (Malaysian herb), Zen Butter (toasted sesame + peanut butter), and/or Black Sesame.
Tricia DietzOctober 31, 2014Best ice cream in New York! flavors you dont get everyday.. My favorite is greentea but around fall the pumpkin pie is to die for; zen butter and ginger are great to try too.
Dan LamMarch 16, 2013Flavors I highly recommend are the Lychee, Red Bean, Pistachio and Green Tea. Get them on sugar cones. Well worth it. Also, tip your server!
Lucky BimolaksonoAugust 5, 2016Ice cream! Lychee is a favourite but they also have maple bacon ice cream if you feel adventurous!
- Jack OsborneJanuary 26, 2014If the shops not busy and you're struggling to make up your mind, they might let you sample a few of their different flavours. Here's the egg custard.
Ben MackeySeptember 24, 2014The coconut fudge ice cream is amazing. You might think you only want one scoop but you will be disappointed if you don't go a double.
Vince WongJune 23, 2013Fear not the crowded mobs outside this Chinatown fixture, the service is quick and friendly. My go-to on a sweltering day is their heaping double-scoop of lychee and ginger ice cream. Get it!
Luke KingmaMay 28, 2013If it's a flavor you've tried outside of Chinatown, you're not doing it right. Black Sesame ice cream, on the other hand, is worth the risk. Add some Jeremy Lin sprinkles and support the boys uptown.
Carol M LewAugust 10, 2016Opt for the cup to avoid a sopping, dripping mess on hot days. TOCICS' cone design has not been updated, so even with 2-3 layers of napkins dripping occurs from the top edges and the tip of the cone.
NoviAugust 13, 2016Best homemade-ish ice cream so faaar 😍 tried coffee and pistachio & they taste really good. Don't ever miss this place out! 😘
Monica ZarateAugust 31, 2014The ice cream here is to die for! I tried mango papaya and ginger combined and it was absolutely heavenly. Great portions, great prices!
Len B.November 18, 2015I love ice cream, but it's hard to find a good one in NY. This is one of the best ones I've had in the city :)
The Corcoran GroupMay 27, 2011End a gluttonous Chinatown dinner with a fantastic assortment of freshly made ice cream – the flavors change, but we like the Blueberry Cheesecake or the Wasabi.
Zlata ZubenkoMay 13, 2018We had a medium size half green tea, half lychee ice cream – delicious! Definitely enough to share.
Donna VuongDecember 29, 2014Try the Asian ice creams. Personal favs are red bean, lychee, pistachio. Though u can do a sampling of all of them so long as they aren't busy
Chris LApril 17, 2014Sesame Seed is the ice cream flavor you never knew you needed. Soy Sauce flavor is sometimes available here, too — it tastes surprisingly like salted caramel.- BuzzFeedApril 11, 2014Sesame Seed is the ice cream flavor you never knew you needed. Soy Sauce flavor is sometimes available here, too — it tastes surprisingly like salted caramel.
Jeffrey GlueckDecember 4, 2021Try the durian (smells bad tastes great). But black sesame the power move.
Jason VinesDecember 8, 2014Crowded, small, and a little pricey. However, it's absolutely delicious. A must go to place in Chinatown. Personal favorite is sriracha ice cream.
AlaraJanuary 14, 2017They have the weirdest flavors, most I've never even heard of. They make you try whatever you like if you are in the mood for exploring new tastes.
Alèxia SoléApril 5, 2023It’s an institution. Ask for their pandan, lychee or black sesame ice cream.
If you're feeling guilty, Split your small into two half scoops so you can still have Pandan AND Taro AND tell yourself that you made healthy decisions today
Custard and green tea ice cream with mango and green tea mochi
KarenAugust 10, 2018Authentic Asian flavors infused into ice cream. Red bean, lychee, mango, etc. Must have if you're a visitor.
Larissa AlvarezJuly 24, 2022Fast service. Tried the lychee and coconut fudge. Both were delicious. Can't wait to try other flavors!
Swing by this ice cream shop for more than just plain ol' chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. Grab a scoop of zen butter, black sesame, almond cookie, or lychee for a change.
Mike KowalczykAugust 13, 2016Outrageously good ice cream! Without a doubt one of the best in the city. The egg cream especially!
Skip the Haagen Dazs & come here instead. Ask to sample the exotic black sesame and almond cookie flavors. You'll want to order them.
Don't let the line scare you; things move along quickly. It's just ice cream after all. Delicious, delicious ice cream.
Kimmie OhhAugust 14, 2020Unique Asian ice cream flavors. Get the black sesame, almond cookie & egg custard!- Damon SununtnasukMay 1, 2017Exotic flavors like Pandan (leaf from Malaysia) and Egg Custard. Cash only
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The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
65 Bayard St (btwn Elizabeth & Mott St)
New York, NY 10013
United States
New York, NY 10013
United States
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (CICF) has been voted NYC's best ice cream time and time again. Serving ice cream for over 30 years, CICF has not only brought smiles & ice cream cones to NYC locals; but to tourists and celebrities worldwide.
Closed until 11:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 11:00 AM–10:00 PM
(212) 608-4170
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