Beat the Heat: Best Ice Cream Shops Near The Pearl
Hot summer days just scream for ice cream – or gelato, sorbet, and other frosty desserts. Fortunately for residents of The Pearl, Koreatown and neighboring communities are home to some of the best ice cream shops in LA. From classic cones and water ice to authentic Korean, Persian and Thai treats, chill choices abound. Many of these stores are owned by entrepreneurs with a passion for fresh organic ingredients and adventurous flavors. Non-dairy and vegan options are also available. Get ready to beat the heat with the best ice cream shops near The Pearl. Check websites for patio seating, takeout & delivery.
Happy Ice 7324 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles CA 90046
Happy Ice is an ultra-premium water Ice product, made from a secret Philadelphia recipe from with an artistic LA twist. Happy Ice has the smooth, rich, creamy texture of an ice cream and the light, fruity refreshment of a sorbet, without egg or dairy products of any kind. The resulting combination is an incredibly delicious and vibrant explosion of colors and flavors that brings happiness to any situation. It’s also vegan friendly and contains no nut products, so nearly everyone can enjoy the incredible experience of Happy Ice.
Honey Mee 3377 Wilshire Blvd Suite 116 Los Angeles, CA 90010
Honey Mee creates pure milk ice cream with 100% pure honey and honeycombs with no artificial colors or flavors. They use fresh California milk from a family-owned, kosher certified dairy factory, so you’ll get the authentic taste of what they call True Milk. The raw honey and honeycombs are 100% pure and natural, from a local certified bee farm, where they handle their award-winning honey with the utmost care. Honey Mee loves that something this delicious can provide such positive health benefits, such as increasing antioxidant levels and promoting digestive health. The product also has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. All the more reason to savor every spoonful.
Salt & Straw 240 N Larchmont Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90004
The Larchmont Village Salt & Straw shop was the first location outside of Portland for this popular ice cream concept from Oregon. Known for inventive flavors and farm-sourced ingredients, the founders chose the name Salt & Straw because the ice cream is handmade, in small batches, the way ice cream was made traditionally. Back in the day, ice cream makers used rock salt to make it freeze, then it was packed in straw to keep it cold. Dairy-free options are available. Order online for local pick up and delivery.
Bumsan Organic Milk Bar 534 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Bumsan Organic Milk Bar serves premium 100% organic soft serve ice cream from the leading organic dairy producer in Korea, Bumsan Farm Co., which maintains sustainable farming practices and produces 100% organic USDA certified, non-GMO, antibiotic-free dairy products. Their goal is to bring this unique treat that has gained massive popularity in Korea to the US market. Bumsan’s original True Milk Flavor is a must try, not to mention the other seasonal-inspired flavors that are always on rotation. The cones are customizable, giving customers the chance to pick their flavors and toppings. These picture-worthy creations are a delight for both your tastebuds and camera.
Sul & Beans 621 S. Western Ave. Ste 208-A Los Angeles, CA 90005
Sul & Beans serves authentic Korean bingsoo, made entirely from scratch. Bingsoo is a popular Korean shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings that may include chopped fruit, condensed milk, fruit syrup, and red beans. Sul means “snow” in Korean while Beans stand for “red beans,” hence the shops’s name – Sul & Beans. Using only the finest and freshest ingredients, Sul & Beans strives to constantly explore and create unique flavors such as their Earl Grey bingsoo. Sul & Beans is more than just bingsoo – it’s a small taste and a glimpse of Korea.
Holy Roly Ice Cream 3450 W 6th St Suite 109A Los Angeles, CA 90020
Holy Roly specializes in Thai-origin, LA style ice cream desserts, hand-crafted and made-to-order with rolled organic ice cream. The ice cream consists of organic milk, cream, and organic cane sugar, free of stabilizers, preservatives, and emulsifiers. Their special freezing technique enables ice particles to get balanced with just air and milk, not add-ons. Cookies, fresh fruit, tea, and coffee make up the flavor combinations. Holy Roly is ice cream in its rawest form – fresh off the plate.
Wanderlust Creamery 7920 W. 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90048
Founded by food science graduate Adrienne Borlongan and attorney/entrepreneur Jon-Patrick Lopez, Wanderlust Creamery was crafted with a passion for adventure and feelings of wanderlust. Every flavor is made from their childhood memory, the places they’ve been, and where they want to go. The unexpected flavor combinations are precisely formulated to ensure a creamy texture that’s light on the palate, regardless of whether it’s made with 100% organic milk from Straus Family Creamery or dairy-free. Signature ice cream flavors include Sticky Rice + Mango, Violet Marshmallow, Earl Grey, Passion-Fruit Cacao, and Vietnamese Rocky Road.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams 123 N Larchmont Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90004
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams was founded by Jeni Britton Bauer, an American ice cream maker and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the artisan ice cream movement, she introduced a modern, ingredient-driven style of ice cream making that has been widely emulated across the world but never duplicated. Her first cookbook, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home, is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller and won a coveted James Beard Award in 2012. As founder and chief creative officer, Jeni remains the beating heart of the company and is in charge of all creative output – from the ice cream itself to the supporting details that enhance the experience of eating it.
Mashti Malone’s 1525 N La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028
Mashti Malone’s was founded over 40 years ago by Mashti Shirvani, the man credited with bringing Persian-style ice cream and sorbets to Los Angeles. Today, Mashti makes over 1000 gallons of ice cream a day. Specialties include lavender ice cream, saffron ice cream topped with lemon juice and sour cherry syrup, and faloodeh, a rosewater-flavored sorbet originating in Iran, marbled with rice noodles.
Photo credits:
Photo #1:Wanderlust Creamery
Photo #2: Happy Ice
Photo #3: Honey Mee
Photo #4: Salt & Straw
Photo #5: Bumsan Organic Milk Bar
Photo #6: Sul & Beans
Photo #7: Holy Roly Ice Cream
Photo #8: Wanderlust Creamery
Photo #9: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Photo #10: Mashti Malone’s