Reviews of The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. (Ice Cream Shop) in New York (New York).

The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

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379 Comments

Ice cream shop

Ice cream shop

65 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013, United States

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Information of The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, Ice cream shop in New York (New York)

Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.

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Reviews of The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

ecmie luki

Pricey 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.

nishka monteiro

The ice cream was delicious. We tired the Black Sesame, Mocha Chips and Chocolate & Cookies. The black Sesame was delicious it had a nutty flavour balanced by the sweetness. The Mocha Chips was flavoured ice-cream with lots of chocolate chips. The chocolate and cookies was a rich chocolate with soft cookie pieces. The staff were great they allowed us to sample the flavours before choosing. We reached the shop 5 minutes prior to the closing. The staff was welcoming and did rush us while we chose. But they had run out of many flavours. I really wanted to try the lychee rose, coconut fudge and pistachio. But they were all out of all of these flavours and many more. Tip would be to come earlier on.

Albert Husmillo

Great 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.

Melanie Tam

Chinatown 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 - it's 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. It's definitely a once in a while treat, when you want some unique flavors you can't find elsewhere, and a bit of nostalgia.

Kai Liana (makairatide)

I 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.

Drew G

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CASH. Great range of ice cream with quick service and nice staff. Inside had quite stickers for all the flavors, looked like the place has a great history. I had lychee which is sweet with a light flavor was pretty good.

Jay A

Second Visit: Hooray, and they had the lychee and lemon sorbet. Absolutely loving it and perfect for the super hot weather. First Visit: Tried the lychee and pineapple ice-cream. They were nice and have chunks of pineapple in the pineapple ice-cream. Wanted to try the sorbet though but they ran out or don't have it that day:(. Sorbet would be perfect for the hot weather.

Rebecca Lee

I always come here after dinner with my family in Chinatown. There are a ton of flavors, and many of which are more Asian flavor profiles which we like. I recently tried the almond cookie which was yummy! Other favorites are taro, black sesame, and red bean.

Rhonda Dorsett

A delight for decades and a must have when I visit New York City. Many exotic flavors to try and generous portions. As you can see, great ice cream bring love to the heart.

Connie Kwok

Cash only! Yum, I am always happy to support a Chinese local business esp when it is homemade ice cream. Great selection of unique flavors, my favorite is the Lychee... Black Sesame is another good one. The waffle cone had the perfect crunch. Enjoy!

B. Gallego

Delicious but pricey for ice cream. They do have some great flavours. Tried the Taro (Ube) and pandan and both were great! So light, creamy and flavourful. They do take cash and there is no seating. The cost was 2 scoops for $8.99 plus mochi pieces topping for $1.

Juan C

SUPER EXPENSIVE but SUPER TASTY. Also very interesting flavors and bold choices to take. The black sesame was my favorite, definitely the texture played a big part since it’s grainy, like dusty or something, and I loved that. They’ve got cute merch

Julia Hsia

Cash 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.

mie vhie

Love 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.

Alexandria Bodas

Such 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, it's a little pricey for a single scoop (~$6) but it's worth it. Cash only!

Joey U

If you’re looking for a sweet treat during the global warming summers of NYC, this place is definitely the place to be. Their space may be small, but the ice cream flavors they offer are mighty. I’ve been here several times with my friends to end a nice meal, and I’m always a big fan of their hospitality and the amount of flavors they offer. My favorites are the lychee rose and pandan ice cream. It’s decadent, refreshing, and aromatic. I love how the ice cream cleans my palate, and it’s not overbearing. The lychee rose ice cream doesn’t taste artificial, it’s actually infused with the fruit and flowers. The creaminess of the ice cream complement these floral flavors, making it a delicate treat. If this flavor doesn’t appeal to you, no worries! You’re allowed to try up to 2 of their ice cream flavors so you can decide which is the best flavor for you.

Bigfoodie. littlefoodie

If you are in Chinatown, especially in the summer this place is a must! They serve more than traditional ice cream they have flavors such as Thai Iced Tea, Taro / Ube, and Chinese egg custard. The two flavors we tried were Black Sesame Ice Cream and Lychee Rose Ice Cream. The ice cream was creamy and rich with black sesame seeds which of course had a nutty flavor that was slightly sweet. It was unique and it wasn't too overpowering. Actually refreshing especially with the heat. The Lychee Rose Ice Cream flavor brought that combination of the sweet and floral taste of lychee fruit. This one was more refreshing and aromatic as if they perfumed the flavor of rose water. Overall, we love coming by this place to get something unique when we are craving ice cream.

Vivian Lee

A 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.

Katja S.

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. …

Patrícia

We adore this spot since there are so many interesting flavors to try! The lichee roses was our favorite! We didn't have any trouble sampling a few flavors before deciding the one we liked because the staff was so helpful and friendly. We would like to return and taste more flavors!

Nolan Cunningham

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!

Claire Ashbrook

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.

Jessica Mark

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.

Jon Woo

8/5/22 - Yummy yummy yummy ice cream in the core of Chinatown on Bayard Street. Bayard rules!!! Tons of authentic Chinese food, dessert, vegetable, and fresh meat options. I had one scoop of strawberry 🍓. Devoured it pretty quickly. 😋😋😋

Cynthia G

Queue moves really quickly, and it’s possible to test out the flavours before committing. We got the lychee and black sesame. The lychee was light and refreshing while the black sesame was also light but flavourful. They might have mixed peanuts with black sesame. Texture was more of a gelato than a traditional ice cream. Overall, pretty good Asian flavours but $8.99 for 2 scoops is really overpriced imo.

Jake Comito

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!

Alan Varghese

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.

Pascal Keller

Very tasty ice cream. You can try all sorts of exotic flavours (like durian you either love it or hate it), Chinese egg custard, lychee and much more. The prices are a little bit on the higher side but definitely worth it. If you are a fan of ice cream definitely visit!

Dakota Xu

A GEM of a place in the heart of Chinatown Maybe 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.

Tiffany Vo

Their flavors are so amazing! I got the don tot and lychee sorbet and the two flavors went together so well! The don tot was thick, nice and creamy and tasted just like an egg tart without the crust and the lychee sorbet wasn't too icy. Prices were a little high but definitely worth it. They take cash and Venmo only

Scott Snikket

Prices are up and lines are through the door but this hole in the wall is still the best ice cream parlor in NYC for me. We got the Matcha Green tea cookie and the tarot flavor and they both did not disappoint. Try try try the macha cookie flavor!!

Jonathan Kauch

Definitely the best ice cream place in Chinatown NYC. I got 3 scoops for $12,5: taro, black sesame and panda. There are super generous quantity-wise and the service is great!

Viraj Patel

Taro and Durian double scoop (7/30/22: The taro flavor was very subtle such that if my eyes were closed, I might just think it was vanilla ice cream, but to be fair, taro itself is not very flavorful; If I had to pick one, I'd definitely go with the durian, though not everyone loves it so ask for a taste first; $9.50 for two scoops is too much)

Elizabeth Hadden

Wide range of ice cream flavors to choose from! Some more traditional flavors and unique ones as well. Cash only!

Tyrone

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!

anthony

Cash only!! But very delicious ice cream. Has plenty of options which they will let you try a sample for the flavors I've 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.

Katey H

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!

Natalia Arai

Amazing flavors and great service. We try to get a scoop every time we're in Chinatown. I highly recommend pandan, taro, lychee rose and matcha & cookies. They also have dairy free/vegan options. Cash only.

Kristi Miyamae

I came on a rainy day so there was no line at all! I tried the lychee ice cream -- creamy and lychee-ish! Delicious!

Jenny

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 couldn't taste the individual flavors anymore at some point.

Ar Kai

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!

Tiffany Chen

Classic spot in Chinatown with many unique Asian ice cream flavors. A bit pricey, but one of the best matcha flavored ice cream I’ve had.

Sophia Qiu

Good quality ice cream with unique asian flavors but is on the pricier side. Would definitely recommend the black sesame ice cream super flavorful, nutty, and not too sweet 😁 …

Kayin Lai - Lai Realty

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.

Rajiv Pillai

Very unique flavours. I wish Durian was available. One scoop should be sufficient. Highly recommend getting the waffle cone.

Aeri Dong

Black sesame is the best, it’s not too sweet and you actually can feel the crunchy sesame. Taro is good as well. They also can do tasting for you, just ask nicely. ( I try lychee rose, also tasted) The line could be long, managing time for getting ice cream will be ideal.

Lakerolmaker

Amazing ice-creamm , you can not find these flavors anywhere else.

Santosh Shetty

Tried the UBE - Gorgeous. Old time vibes with homemade ice creams

Rachel Z

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.

Vanessa S.

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.

Kevin Drost

Best place to get ice cream in Chinatown. So many different flavors

Izabel Alvarenga

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.

Cole Ash

We stopped here for dessert after dinner at Uncle Lou's, so good! We had the mocha chip and the mango.

Amanda W

This is the best ice cream I have ever had in my life, hands down. I am a huge lover of green tea ice cream and have tried nearly every one in existence, and this shop's green tea ice cream blows all the others away. I also got the lychee, which was phenomenal. This is my favorite ice cream shop to date and I will keep returning here when I revisit New York!

Alvin Ho

Really nice mom and pop ice cream shop. They have a lot of flavors like lychee and black sesame that other chain shops wouldn't carry. The ice cream is on the pricier side but their portions are huge! Cash only though.

Anthony Mejia

Nice ice cream shop with a long list of flavors. The mocha chip+vietnamese coffee was a good combo but the star was the pandan. Would come back for that plus one of their other interesting flavors (durian, black sesame, etc.)

Larry Zhang

A bit inconsistent texture-wise (across visits), or maybe it was just an off day, but good tasting otherwise. First couple visits here it was thick and dense and creamy, second time more fluffy/marshmallow-y and melted faster. Much prefer the first

D. Leon

CICF offers original flavors you won't find anywhere else like, almond cookie, durian and Don tot. But my favorite has always been their banana ice cream. It's not packed with artificial flavoring and color, and still has a ton of flavor. My only gripe about this place is it's always packed with tourists, so a wait is almost a guarantee.

Sebastian Ramirez

I had heard of this place yet never actually been there until last week. I am walking in China Town just for the sake of seeing what interesting foods were avaliable. Then I accidentally come across it. At first (to those not familiar with NYC) the place's presentation despite being open for 30+ years doesn't look as trendy as it's. When you see the selection of icecreams though? It's impressive. Strange to some maybe but definetly worth a try with both asian & classic flavors. The best way I can describe its taste is fresh & with the creamyns of Gelato. If you do not believe me? Please cross over to little Italy & compare & contrast. I dare you to. 10/10.

Cindy Chan

Great variety of ice cream. Taro, Lychee, Black Sesame, Durian, and Pandan are fantastic. They also have other less exotic flavors. One of them was the Oreo Chocolate Ice Cream which is really good.

Eric Freudenthal

Gotta order the lychee flavor. Now that my son and I can't eat dairy, we appreciate that they also make spectacular lychee sorbet which is served arte exactly the right temperature. On this trip we came here twice after dim sum at Golden Unicorn.

Phoebe Yang

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!

M

Way overpriced and overhyped. The ice cream is good but not the best I've ever had for what you're paying for. Place is also very small and cramped. I'd go once for the experience but not again.

Grace Tam

love the unique flavors! some of my favorite are pandan, rose lychee, egg tart, and black sesame. once they even had wasabi! "cash only" but they also take venmo

Dyron Cleofa

If you find your self on the LES than this is a must try. Unique flavors that you wouldn’t get anywhere else either.

Matt Daniel

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!

Michael Chen

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. I've 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 it's a bit pricey for one scoop ($6.50) it's 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.

Sir Icky

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!

B

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. it's around $5 and some change for a scoop and $7 for two. in comparison to other ice cream places it is normal pricing.

Kale N

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 don't be afraid to try something new. My personal favorite flavor is black sesame. It's 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 that's not what you're there for. You can also ask to try flavors before you decide on your purchase.

Mariah Mckenzie

Best ice cream I've 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! Recently I tried the taro and green tea ice cream, both were delicious!

Arth Shah

Heard a lot about this ice cream place. Finally decided to visit. It is really small shop. Don't 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.

Ganesh Viswanathan

Ice cream flavors you're 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 don't have time for a smile and want to move to next customer standing in line

GP C

Popular ice cream joint located in Manhattan Chinatown. They serve a large spectrum of flavor that will accommodate everyone's 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 that's welcoming.

Greg Rosenberg

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.

Hank Chang

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 won't 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.

Andy Co

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

Raheel

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.

Austin Walker

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.

Jessica Wong

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.

Kelly Xue

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

Marbo Cheng

A 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.

Marcus Barrows

From massachusetts, prices were a little higher than I'm 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 hadn't had a 3-hour drive I probably will have bought some to take home. Fun exotic ice cream flavor adventure, I highly recommend!

陳敬謙

Provide lots of "unique" favors ice cream here. I love the lychee one, you can taste the lychee pulp inside. It's a little bit pricy, but the portion is big though.

H H

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!

Jacky 001

Great ice cream and unique flavors. Even ate here when it was snowing earlier this year.

Nancy Motola

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 don't follow directions???

Cynthia Cheung-Almodovar

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. Today's 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. Today's were taro and vanilla but I've seen mango and green tea also offered on other days.

abc defsas

Huge variety of Asian flavors, extremely delicious! My favourite is Ube and Green Tea

Christine Polanco

I love this place. The flavors are incredible and the ice cream is aesthetically pleasing. I’ve had almost every flavor here and I’ve been here maybe three times. This is a worthy destination for tourists and locals alike.

John Hsieh

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 don't think they add enough matcha powder in the Green Tea flavor, but it's 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 Manhattan's 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.

Alan Zhu

Super fresh ice cream in many unique flavors! I tried the strawberry and lychee, and both were unbelievably fresh and creamy!

Natalie Gotko

very good! lots of flavors! pandan was really great!!

Jessica L

Loved their ice cream.

Luigi

This ice cream is unique. It has more of a bite to it. It's like a gummy texture/consistency. The flavors tasted more artificial I give this place a 84/100

Nicolas Kim

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

Helen V

Family business that's 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 doesn't 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.

man s.

Very fast and courteous service. There are so many exotic favors being offered here that are not available anywhere else in manhattan. Flavors like durian, pandan, cen butter, taro, black sesame, and lychee rose. You can't go wrong if you want to try some new and tasty ice cream.

Alvin Tran

Might be a tourist trap, based on what I heard from the locals. Also, the line was kinda long (maybe because of tourists?). But still, I quite liked the flavor I got (Pandan). That said, I've had better ice cream places before, even in the same city. But still, I think it's worth going again, and it's possible that they have a flavor I would like even better, that I haven't tried yet.

Hayley Davis

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 they'd 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 don't come here with only a card on you.

Ronald Wilson (Bronxvinylfunk, on IG)

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.

Carissa Bolton

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.

E. P.

I have been going to this place for years! Very fresh choices of ice creame, sorbets and soft serve. My absolute favs are: Lychee, Pandan & Taro.

Alyssa

Amazing ice cream! I ordered Patan and it was delicious and unique. They have both regular and exotic flavors.

Megan Niquette

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!

J. S.

Their ice cream is really good. All the flavors I've had here have been delicious, though my favorites are usually pineapple and durian.

Tommy T

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.

Marvin Tam

Great place to get dessert after dinner, Never had lychee and red bean ice cream before, but I think the ice cream here appeared to be good no matter what choice was made.

Jason H

There were out of several favors, but overall it was great ice cream place to stop by. Not too sweet and just right favor. Must go place.

Jessica Chai

We wish there were more stores like this across the country. This establishment offers tons of unique flavors that you usually can only find in popsicle form here in the U.S. We got 3 scoops: lychee, green tea oreo, and taro/ube. The added pocky was cute and appreciated. We cannot wait to come back to try other flavors!

Daniel Glastonbury

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 you're adventurous then ask for a taste of the durian fruit flavor....

Lisa Teiger

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.

Cha

The best ice cream in the city. Family favorites are almond cookie, green tea, taro, black sesame, and lychee. It's 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 you're not used to some of these Asian flavors, you can try before you buy. My favorite ice cream in the city!

Jessica Amaro

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 don't looovvee matcha... I actually kind of hate it but it looked so yummy and I'm 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 didn't get a picture until I was several blocks away.

Sahid Martin Robles Bello

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.

Linyi Ealian Li

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 cream's 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!

Izzy G (F1zzy - Gaming / Finance)

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.

Leonardo Torres

Get the almond cookie flavor. You won't regret it. There are other flavors available such as banana & red bean.

Boah Chung

Amazing little ice cream shop that I had visited when younger and couldn't 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, it's cash only

Tiffany Lee

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.

Chivzy “Sweetums” Clarke

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!! She's Filipina! I did not like it 😂 …

Monica Wei

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 you're looking for dessert after eating out in Chinatown!

Tyler Marshall

There’s a reason this place is always busy. The flavors are unparalleled! Green tea oreo is a good bet. Cash only

Abraham Medina

Got a two scoop… banana and something else… it was pretty good. I had a good laugh out of the awkward interaction with the girl cashier… 5 star for that lol.

Albert Tong

Great asian ethnic flavors. The black sesame has a great nutty taste. Lychee is perfectly sweet and the green tea is fragrant and delicious.

Michael LeCesse

I 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! 🤤 …

Stewart Bertrand

Almost ten years since I have been there and still the feeling of nostalgia.. They did not have my favorite apparently they don't 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. It's close to the train of canal street. Don't drive it's not safe and there's 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.

Gregory Serrano

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 can't go wrong with any of them. Can't wait to come back. Thank you!

Errol Arevalo

I've been coming here for the last 20 years. It's 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 don't 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.

Amanda C. Sun

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 :)

Monke D_vr

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. Can't wait to go back and mix it up again.

Daysi Tapia

Awesome ice cream! Great taste, staff are friendly and patience. They will give you free example and will help you. Nice trip to Chinatown!

Wendy Cone

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.

Kylie Madhav

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.

NYCBuddha

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.

James English

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.

Oscar Vera

Is good little store, that has interesting ice flavors, not the traditional flavors that you can find in any other fancy ice cream stores.

Ondrej Pluhacek

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.

fernando babilonia

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 I'm in the area. Have always been a fan of the lychee sorbet 😀. …

Travis Arrington

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

Claire Le

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 don't expect to eat inside. But that's okay, because it gives you a chance to walk and enjoy the sights of Chinatown!

Delfin Limcangco

The Mocha Chip is to die for haha

Andrea Di Salvio

It took a while for my boyfriend and I to decide what we wanted because there's 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!

Hilary Tunstall

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. :)

celeste golub

Amazing service very fast and flavors actually taste amazing and not fake

Carl

Super yummy matcha and cookies ice cream! Really unique flavors and you have the ability to sample some. Just make sure to bring cash

Mrs. D.

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.

Anna S

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.

Robin Lee

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!)

Dmitry Fridman

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!

Mr. A

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.

Judy Chu

Great ice cream flavors and fast and friendly service! I'd give 5 stars but the matcha & cookies ice cream wasn't available the last two times I came by around 3 PM (please make more batches) and they raise prices frequently

Colleen Frederick

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 I've ever liked. Its so good and it's not disgusting "pumpkin spice". Combined with a scoop of the creamy flavors like egg tart or almond cookie is so delicious. But that's no surprise because every flavor they make is delicious and has perfect texture.

Gary Levenson-Palmer

We come here every time we're in NYC. Some great flavors you can't find elsewhere

David S Mandel

Tasty ice cream with many exotic flavors. Worth a stop when in the area.

Elyssa Wu

Fun ,they let us taste ice cream 🍦 cute fun SO MANY FLAVORS!! …

Rita Silbernagel

Cash only!! Amazing ice cream! This place has some of the best ice cream I've had in the city. Green tea, taro and many other traditional flavors are good but don't skip out on the cookies and cream or chocolate and cookies!! They definitely don't 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.

Kristín Helga Magnúsdóttir

The guide in a food tour recommended this place. The ice cream is like $6 for one scoop but it's soo good!!I had the matcha Oreo and the almond cookie and it was amazing ! Definitely recommend !

Na Kt

Nice ice cream. Had Macha Oreo and Lychee ice cream, both were delicious.

Misael Abreu

Don’t let the not so fancy interior trip you up, this ice cream is 🔥 unique, good flavors. Worth the price! …

Ming

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is easily one of the best places to get ice cream in Chinatown, if not the best. It's 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 I'll 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 $6.75 2 scoops $8.75 3 scoops $11.25 Pint $11.25 Quart $16.25 Gallon $90 I 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 can't 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 you're in NYC :)

Tony Yu

Lot of original and Asian flavored ice cream. One of the best places!

Matt Lally

Best ice cream ever

Geovana Gaitan

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.

Shermin Justo

Delicious 😋 ice cream 🍦 I had cookie almond flavor 😋 my favorite there …

Yat Sang Yan

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.

Mahima Srivastava

Get the taro and lychee ice cream. Unique flavors always bring me back here!

Tay Jacobe

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!

Jayesh Singh

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.

Elizabeth Wong

Cash only! Make sure you bring cash but it's so worth the really expensive ice cream! There aren't many places that you can get these flavors if you're a tourist. Enjoy while you can.

Christy Ham

They have a great selection of flavors and every flavor I tried was amazing!

Courtney Parmer

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.

Iris Grattan

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 won't be disappointed. They only take cash, btw.

Kate Walker

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!

james leong

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.

Yung Park

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!

Lynn C

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

Tian G

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.

Kimmy

lychee and black sesame 😋 pls pls get it, so iconic for a reason …

Ekaterina Spiridonova

Nice place, good choice of ice cream regular and exotic, not overpriced. Tried lychee, taro and coconut flavors! Yum!!

Timothy Bracken

Pricey, not sure what the hype is about. It's as generic as you can get. Just ice cream. Pros: tons of flavor choices, fast service Cons: long lines, crowded tourist trap, pricing

Nicole Francisco

Pretty good ice cream but definitely not the best I've ever had. I enjoyed the green tea Oreo ice cream! this is the only place I've ever seen that flavor before. Literally a combination of my 2 favorite flavors! If I'm 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!

JiShun Zhou

Good ice cream! A lot of flavors! Cash only

Bryan Lau

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.

Chris

The icecream is delicious. Lots of flavors I have NEVER seen before. A definite must!

Ilse T A

Good ice cream. They had all kind of fun flavours. I liked my green tea Oreo.

Betty

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.

Tuti Do

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.

Cherry

thick buttery texture ice cream. would love to return and try many other flavours. a tad overpriced

Jason Viet

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!

Philomena Mattes

The taro ice cream turns your tongue purple and they sell little enamel pins of the fat dragon logo. Five stars.

Byron Yoshida

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 i've had to date.

Natalie C

Usually a wait, but still worth it. Tiny shop with unique flavors - black sesame and lychee are bomb. Cash only, great service.

Ayla Kim

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.

Dwarakesh Nallan

A simple ice cream shop right in Chinatown with very unique flavors. Be prepared: cash only

Nicholas Jurica

They were out of a lot of flavors. Pricey for the size you get.

Federico Pirino

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

Amy Ng

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 it's a small store (with no seating btw) but there's so many great flavors I still haven't tried yet..they have sorbets too for y'all dairy free folks 😏 …

Britt Lam

best ice cream in the city

Ed Su

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.

valentine louis

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.

Abby H

They have a lot of original and crazy cool flavors. I had green tea ice cream 😋 …

Donella Held

We keep ordering the ice cream cakes from here for family birthdays because they're 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. We're particularly fond of lychee/mango/strawberry. The ice cream here is very good! And the service is great too. They'll give you an ice pack with your ice cream cake if you need one while traveling with it.

KP

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 money's 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.

Canny So

Getting more pricey. But the quality is very good. Best red beans ice cream in town. Of course the other favorites are good too.

Kevin Huang

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 isn't much space to hang out if it is too cold to bring your ice cream outside. Almond cookie is a great flavor

Joshua Z

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.

Rebeka Stander

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 don't expect to sit there and eat your ice cream. You'll 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!

Lois T

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

Calvin Lui

Was the ice cream good? Yeah it was pretty good. Was it worth the price per scoop? Nope.

Brian L

Very very delicious ice cream. They have different flavors you probably won't 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 it's 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!

Junhoon Chae

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 can't go wrong as everything is homemade and rich in flavor. The only problem is you'll 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 it's cash-only and the space is small so there's nowhere to sit inside. There might be a line in the summer but it's well worth the wait.

Misia Schmid

The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory isn't shy about having bold, exotic flavors! I had the coconut fudge I've cream. I tried the durian... It kinda tastes like an overly ripened fruit. The portions are big, but you get what you pay for. I'd love to go there when it's not busy, and try all the flavors..if allowed 🍦 Definitely coming back!

Daniel Kantor

They serve very creative flavors here executed with mastery.

Mohak Jain

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

Nikki Willner

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!

Tim Hand

Small but efficient, the lines are worth the wait but they move quickly anyway. Helpful and friendly staff welcome you to try weird and non-traditional flavors. Delish! (and have now reopened after the pandemic!)

Mac Adelman

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.

Kartik Gopal

Unique experience, Delightful flavors. An icon in NYC!

DAP 2005

This is the most awesome fried ice cream I've 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. I'm glad.

Alice Rodriguez

Ice cream was great, good staff too.

N A

My all-time favorite ice cream spot. Must visit with each Chinatown visit! Of course, it's almond cookie

Mohammed Khan

Good ice cream, little pricey but good.

Ruby “CinnamonKooki” Kunzelman

I love this place. I can't say enough good things about it. I love all the variety of Asian ice cream flavors. My favorite is Durian and Pandan, I would order quarts of them. The lychee rose is also very delicious. As well as the black sesame. I wish they'd start accepting credit cards because I have to double check my wallets for cash before going in. But excellent place for delicious ice cream.

G O

Wonderful ice cream, so many different and unique flavors! I love the fat dragon mascot so much!

Dylan Jones

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.

Eric Holloway

CASH ONLY! Awesome selection of ice cream flavors. Ordered the red bean and the brown sugar boba and they were both delicious.

SGP Versluis

Awesome small and authentic ice cream store. Loads of flavors, good stuff!!

Drew Fedorka

Very cool place to stop in after a meal in Chinatown. Friendly and helpful service. Also, a lot of interesting and quirky flavors you won't find elsewhere. I had a 1-scoop lychee-flavored ice cream with a waffle cone and it was delicious. Worth noting: it is cash only and there are no tables or seats. Definitely a great spot!

Zander

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.

Jann D

Always love to stop by here when I'm in the area and a place that is a must whenever guests come over. Their ice cream flavors are very unique and flavorful. Only thing is they dont accept card and it tends to get very tight in the store depending on the time.

Justin Bayoneto

Definitely worth the hype. So many unique and delicious flavors and the staff are very friendly.

Korey Dupont

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).

Felix Brooks

Ice Cream is Very Good, New & Original Flavors that can't be matched in Quality. But the Prices are a little steep for Ice Cream.

Jonathan Arrabito

I had 2 scoops of black sesame ice cream. It was phenomenal. I am still thinking about how good the ice was right now. Creamy, sweet and exotic. If you are in Chinatown. I highly suggest getting a little dessert here. They have a few flavors that you will not find in normal ice cream shops. I tasted the ginger ice cream as well. It was definitely delicious!

Joy Oropeza

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.

M& I

This ice cream shop is fantastic. It was our first time coming here. We got red velvet, lychee, and black sesame seed ice cream. We all loved our flavors! They were so delicious and you could taste the cream cheese frosting in the red velvet, the toasted black sesame seeds in that ice cream, and the lychee ice cream tasted spot on with delicate notes of fresh lychee. It was just perfection. The only cons are it can get quite hectic here bc they are so popular, and the people behind the counter were getting a bit confused too bc of how crowded it is and they are trying to get everyone in and out as quick as possible. Also, the prices are a little high. It's $5.75 for one small scoop in a cup, $7.75 for 2 scoops, and $9.75 for 3 scoops. Still, it is absolutely worth it to come check out their delicious flavors.

NYC Birthday Clowns

You must visit this place! Its perfect after having a big oriental meal in China town. They have a great mix of all time favourites and new asian fusion! There a tons of flavours to choose from you need to keep coming back to try them all! They offer ice cream cakes too! Absolutely a great idea when visiting China town in New York!

Teck Liew

Go-to ice cream shop for Asian flavors in NYC. Not too sweet and the flavors on point! Egg custard is my favorite.

David Liang

Some of the best homemade ice cream you'll ever have! They have a great selection of flavors that you'll never find anywhere else. The location is great, as you can always grab food before/after ice cream. This is not just a desert!

Emily Chu

This is a nice spot to end a meal (or food crawl) in Chinatown if the complimentary orange slices and fortune cookies just didn't satisfy your craving for dessert. Sampling each of the creative and tempting flavors offered here would be a fun and cheap date idea; unfortunately, I think the store has now placed limits on the number of samples per person. Try my favorite: the Zen Butter - a smooth blend of peanut butter and toasted white sesame!

Rafael Yau

Great place for ice cream, there always busy with a line just for ice cream. It don't matter if it's 35 degrees out or 100 degrees out you will properly always see a line. I recommend getting the black sesame, taro and lychee flavors. Overall great experience here will be back soon.

Jonathan Lui

The ice cream is great! They have a huge variety of flavors. Flavors range from classics to Chinese flavors you won't expect. The shop is small and cramped and the lines often stretch outside the store.

Chelsea Grafe

This was a fun little place to stumble on as tourists browsing Chinatown! The girl’s working the shop this last Wednesday night were fun and very efficient and accommodating. The flavors are great and definitely perfect for a novel experience if you want to try some fun foreign flavors. There is a line, so give yourself some time, but it moves quickly. If I ever get brave enough to bring my kids to NY, we’ll definitely come here.

Peter Gates

First of all, this place can get crazy popular, even in the middle of winter when it's 30 degrees outside. Once you've pushed your way inside the door you'll find a long freezer counter with a dozen or more different ice cream flavours from the typical (mocha chip) to the exotic (taro) although what I have just described as exotic features on their regular flavour menu and vice versa. I guess that's to be expected from a Chinese creamery. Prices are reasonable and servings generous and you can choose from small cups right up to pint containers and beyond by arrangement. Service can be a little rushed but is always polite, even when taking a while to decide which flavour you want but the line of people behind you aren't likely to be so kind!

Becky Chen

I love ice cream, so naturally I had to try out this highly reviewed little shop on my last day visiting NY. I got the pandan flavor and almond cookie ice cream. Both were good and tasted as they should. My only suggestion is that the almond cookie toppings should've been crushed more rather than having it in such big chunks...wasn't really easy breaking it with a plastic spoon.

Ed Westberg

Amazing selection of flavors. Ask for a free sample to help you decide.

Ken Chester Jr

Amazing and delicious flavors inspired by China and other countries throughout Asia. There's always a new flavor to explore – just ask for a sample! It's often a bit busy, due to the ice cream shop's reputation, but the service is fast and you can dig into whichever flavors you choose rather quickly.

todd mccalla

Almond cookie was outstanding

Karen Tallon

So yummy and such a wide range of flavours, including unique flavours such as green tea, coconut, ginger, pumpkin, and more. Only 2 samples per person allowed but there would need to be a limit, just wish it was 4. Took a risk and tried one without a taste, happy to report that it was heavenly!

Ruiwei Zhang

Their ice cream are sooo good! We ordered durian, lychee and black sesame. All of them are very good!! Durian is very creamy and lychee is refreshing. We also tried Thai iced tea, it’s good too. Will definitely go there more often!

Geoffrey Yee

I always love coming to Chinatown Ice Cream Factory and getting the "Don Tot" ice cream, which is a flavor based off of the egg custard treat that many Chinatown bakeries sell. They also always have a large selection of unique flavors that you can never find anywhere else, as well as they make ice cream cakes and can sell you larger amounts of ice cream if you call the order ahead so that they can have time to prepare the ice cream. The ice cream is homemade and made on the premises, so you can expect high quality ice cream every time.

Ron Ruzal

Stopped here with a friend for an ice cream on the go. On a Saturday, rainy and cold Christmas day. But it was totally worth it. The ice cream is great, with many interesting flavors. I tried the Lychee and Zen Butter. Both were excellent but the Lychee was my favorite. The staff here is very friendly.

Paul Hayes

Very small shop with traditional ice cream but some untraditional flavors ... the favorites of the Chinese locals are of course red bean but every one loves black sesame, almond cookie, green tea, and if you like ginger even ginger. They of course have the standard flavors and many others all of which taste great and are all natural.

Jennifer K.

Love the variety of unique flavors!!! I just wish the prices weren't so expensive >.< My family has been coming here for many many years, even to the point of ordering gallons at a time so the entire extended family could take home some. My favorite is almond cookie, mango, and red bean. :)

Aaron Myers

Took a bike ride from Alphabet city to Chinatown, yesterday. Everything was shuttered but Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. We got two sugar cones. This is the best ice cream in NYC. Everything is made fresh and they have daily small batch specials as well. This place has been around for over 40 years and is a family business. If you have cabin fever from the lockdown and need a treat, go down there and get a cone.

Jason Wong

I love this place, there is no ice cream spot in any Chinatown in NYC that can compare. I am not sure how many times I have gone here but it is one of those addictions and "must go" places I recommend to my friends and family when they visit. They have a lot of unique flavors such as Almond Fortune Cookie, Red Bean, Ginger or or the famous Black Sesame (if you see it, get it, it runs out fast). $4 for a single scoop on a cone is reasonable. The staff is fast but be aware that tour groups come through here frequently so you might be stuck behind them in line.

Ellie Glass

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!!

Katherine Diaz-Callaway

You need this in your life!!! We stumbled upon it and thank God. Delicious!! So many different flavors, outside of your garden variety flavors. They had red bean, lychee, green tea, sesame seed, coconut and many others. There were ice cream and sherbert options. Prices were a lil steep at $7.95 for three scoops, but it was worth it as a treat. They also offered ice cream cakes for special occasions with lots of kid friendly designs. Free samples, give it a try!!

Rachel Antonio

It's so creamy. There's a lot of fat in this ice cream. If you're gonna sin definitely go for some Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. It's famous and it's good. I love the Asian flavors the best: lychee, red bean, black sesame, almond cookie. It's hard just to pick one flavor. Kinda costly for one scoop but it is worth it. There's always a line and they're pretty hip. I walked in the other day and they had a Jeremy Lin ice cream concoction. I'll stick to my regular flavors. They are R-inning enough.

A E

SOOOOO GOOD!!!! Bit pricey but I love coming here for a treat anytime I'm by Chinatown.. My daughter always has a hard time choosing to get dessert from here or Taiyaki.. So many amazing flavors- my faves are the Pandan, pumpkin, coconut, taro.. Always want to try new flavors but end up getting my faves most of the time. Green tea Oreo is also really good! Small shop so it can get cramped and might have a bit of a wait but line moves quite fast. Not a place to hang out inside. Get your ice cream and get out to enjoy!

Scott Curtis

Great asian and contemporary ice cream flavors that can nary be found elsewhere. The scoops are generous and the staff is young and helpful. Offers samples.

Marlene Anderson

The cream is good. Workers seem sad. Almost like they don't want to be there. They are almost as cold as the ice cream. I mean a smile won't hurt. Oh it is a fake phony smile. Don't bother please just stay cold as the ice cream. Happy scooping!

Lori Luo

Despite the many times that I've found myself in Chinatown, it took a while before I finally made my way into Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. Maybe it's the allure of the several bubble tea shops lined up on the same street or that their tiny storefront is too easily passed by. Whatever the case, it's very much an institution in Chinatown (perhaps, even, all of New York City) and for good reason. There's not much by way of environment or decor as there's only enough space to enter, order an ice cream, and pay; during peak hours, the entire space can get packed with customers. Thankfully, on the chilly evening that I went, the venue was pretty much empty so we had enough leeway to skim through the available flavors and try a few samples. In the end, we decided on a large cup to share, with a scoop each of Black Sesame, Taro, and Pistachio. As a whole, the ice cream is superb. Light, creamy, and not overly sweetened, it's a perfect treat to end the evening with. I'll avoid touching on the Pistachio as it's not one of my favorite flavors (but some sacrifices must be made when sharing, especially dessert), but the other two flavors were quite the treat. The Taro a perfect testament to why this root vegetable should be sweetened and enjoyed as a dessert more often, while the Black Sesame brought back memories of eating Zhi Ma Hu, a sweet black sesame dessert, as a child; it's a nutty, fragrant, yet balanced flavor that will tempt you to return for another scoop or two.

Nuo Cheng

First ever Durian ice cream! Real Duriany taste!

Brian Flanagan

The ice cream here was delicious. It's a cool, tiny spot with great staff.

Jean-Louis Nguyen

Such a small counter, but their freshly made ice cream is irresistible. I tried the black sesame and was pleasantly surprised by the flavor (nutty & refreshing). If you want something out of the ordinary, try taro, lychee or ginger. Those flavors seem very popular.

Ricky Long

With all these "hip" ice cream shops opening all around and with their subzero ice cream making techniques, this staple of Chinatown still has their loyal fan base. Recently purchased a lychee/green tea flavored cake from them and it tasted as it should. Delicious. Since I was coming from Brooklyn, they gave us ice packs for my order. Very thoughtful gesture.

Sarah C

I wasn't really planning on going there, but I attracted by the huge line outside this small, cramped ice cream store. At the time I went there, it was a freezing 39 degrees outside, and if there's a huge line waiting for ice cream in the weather, that means the place is freaking good. And my hypothesis was confirmed. I was really really really good. Not just good, it was finger-licking amazing. There was a variety of exotic flavors, and with the cute icons above each flavor made it difficult to choose. I tried the pandan ice cream because it bright green. It tasted like matcha, and it included a Pocky stick on the side. Very cute. However, I must say that it is pricy. One small scoop is $4 plus tax, and it is a very small scoop. Nevertheless, I might come here again to try some other wacky flavor. ;)

Troy Segala

A landmark of Chinatown, that can't 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!

Luc M

We were not expecting a place like this in Chinatown. Amazing icecream! Black sesame is fantastic.

Katie Hallock

Talk about the super tiny play that can feel claustrophobic simply with four people. Also, the two guys working there the time I visited were grumpy. So that was a bummer. I sampled about four flavors and then stopped because I couldn't stand the grumpy guy behind the counter any longer. I opted for a scoop of black sesame and coconut chocolate topped with Oreos and pocky. It was quite nice as far as ice cream goes. However, considering the price, I'd rather go somewhere with happier people and more interesting flavors.

Rosemarie Chan

Pros: Great ube ice cream. The staff get through a long line fairly fast. Cons: For a long time now, their green tea ice cream as well as their red bean one have gone down in quality. Would suggest using Japanese matcha green tea for the first and more red beans in the second.

Johan Nilsson

Fantastic ice cream! Try the black sesame, delicious.

Suzie Oh

Lots and lots of Asian-inspired ice cream flavors. I sampled a handful of them (Red Bean, Black Sesame, Pandan, and Taro). I ended up getting the Pandan and Taro together and it was an amazing combination. Their ice cream tastes very true to the original flavors!

Newstein Chang

You will find this small ice cream shop to be one of Chinatown's popular attractions. Love the ice cream selections: unique flavors like pandan and sesame. Though the shop is a little small, and price a little pricey, I'd say it's worth it.

Bryan Brager

Ice cream is very good and plenty of flavors. However, they do not accept credit cards and have no signs indicating such..

R S

Although good, I expected way more flavourful ice cream. Had the Thai Tea and the Egg Custard and both tasted mostly like vanilla ice cream. Everything was good, but probably won't go again.

David Natoff

Super busy but well worth the wait. A fantastic selection of both exotic and more traditional flavours. My coconut was delicious but my daughters lychee was out of this world. Can't recommend enough, go there!

Athena Chang

Who doesn't love ice cream especially it has a lot of unique Asian flavors? My personal favorites are Black Sesame, Red Bean and Lychee flavors. Adam Richman has been here and wears their T-shirt all the time! They give you big scoops here too. It is not some fancy ice cream shop and there is no seat but it does the job. If you don't mind grab and go, this is a solid ice cream shop.

Klaudia T

I also come by and never have the bad luck that others describe here, maybe its new yorker good timing? I never have to wait more than 5 minutes, you step in, find the flavor you want, stand by the counter and order! It is cash only, like many other stores in chinatown. This should not surprise you. I really enjoy green tea, black sesame, thai Iced tea, and recently I tried Lychee. It tastes good but I only tasted more of the fruit's notes once the ice cream turned into a semi-liquid phase. Always fond of the pocky stick they add to your scoops!

Aurora Vintilescu

The ice cream here was ok. Nothing extraordinary. Liked the almond biscuit one, but it wasn’t mind blowing. I also tried the mango, but didn’t feel 100% natural. If you add the fact that this place is cash only, I wouldn’t bother to come here again.

Dan

Great ice cream! The egg custard was the best

Vincent Lee

One of the best place for desert after a dinner in Chinatown. So many different flavors to choose from that will make you speech less. If you don't know what flavor to choose you could ask for a sample before buying it. My flavors is the lychee, mango, and almond cookie. Also you can create your own birthday cake with any flavors you like in it.

Cynthia Okimoto

I’ve been going to get single scoops here for 5 years now- and I almost always bring a friend or family with me because it’s insane to not enjoy this ice cream without the pleasure of good company. My favorite is the almond cookie ice cream. Can’t say I’m even going to try another flavor cause I can’t not enjoy this one everytime I’m here!

Stephanie Cohen

Wonderful ice cream shop with traditional and non-tradition flavors. The almond cookie flavor was superb. You can taste the flavor first to make sure you like it. Cash only.

Guang Shi

It was really hard choosing a flavor, because every damn flavor I picked wasn't available. How hard is it to remove the labels of flavors that are sold out? They should rename their shop to "Chinatown Ice Cream Served by the Lazy Factory". As I was placing my order, an elderly lady started asking me some flavor-related questions in Mandarin. I asked one of the servers if they could assist her. The server said they don't speak Mandarin and tried to call over this other guy who responded with, "What, why me?" in English. Guy never came. I ended up staying to help the lady place an ice cream order for her grandson. Didn't take long at all to help her, although it took longer than necessary because every flavor her grandson wanted was unavailable. I get that this is Chinatown and service standards are low, but this is just pathetic. They do get two stars because I actually really liked the taste of their green tea and taro ice cream. Meeeh.

Albert Chan

Creative ice cream you will not find anywhere else in the city. The quality never disappointed me nor does the flavors they make. Try the black sesame which was flavorful and unique! Any out of towners must stop by to complete the Chinatown experience.

PandaDomo NYC

Love this historic landmark of Chinatown! They always have the best flavors and everything is fresh! You can go the traditional route and get chocolate, strawberry, cookie dough, etc. Or you can be adventurous and get lychee sorbet, or rainbow cookie ice cream! The premade cakes are great for a crowd or you can order a custom cake (pick the flavors and the design) a day in advance. The staff are always incredibly friendly and service is very quick. There's no room to eat inside but that's the best part about ice cream, you can take it to go!

Seth Neal

So good! If you’re in Chinatown, you have to go, even if it’s cold. Not just any ice cream — it’s some of the best I’ve had. Even their sorbet, which my wife got, was some of the best we’d had. Make sure you check it out!

Andrew L.

The lines can get long during the summer, but Is worth the wait. My recommendation is the black sesame flavor ice cream, but any choice is a good choice. The ice is very creamy and perfect amount of sweetness.

Jerry Lee

Hands down the BEST ice cream shop I've ever been in. Creamy, delicious and simple. GO!

Priya Nag

They are a must try if you’re in NYC! Love their rainbow and pandan flavors soo much. Worth every penny.

Sie-Mun Lo

Great tasting Ice cream. Have non dairy lychee sorbet!

Grace Li

Delicious ice cream and a great variety of flavors. I got the small pandan ice cream for $5.75. Other flavors they have: lychee, matcha cookie, taro, black sesame, red bean. Highly recommend!

OMAR arias

The ice cream there is amazing. I git the chocolate & cookie flavor which was so good. They have a variety of flavors which are really good and diverse.

Trigger Namus (Triggernamus)

The ice cream here is like any other ice cream besides the hype. The only thing I actually liked about this place was because they have seasonal flavors that no where else has and a flavor that I actually liked was the red bean. growing up on red bean ice cream I liked alot so I know what good and bad taste like. They had pretty good one here.

WD La

Ice cream that is always consistent in taste and quality, a must have when you are in chinatown. The shop itself is quite small. But the flavors are immense and there quite a number of flavors to choose from. They even once had wasabi flavored ice cream (which I did not try). If you can't decide, you can't go wrong with ordering the original combo flavors: green tea, lychee and red bean.

linda lam

The lychee rose ice cream was so refreshing. Black sesame is a favorite!

Alex The Best

landmark in its own right. It's here you'll find all different flavors of ice cream from Green Tea and Lychee to Durian and Long An of course with the popular flavors of Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry. What I like most about this place is the drawing of the Dragon that has never changed since it's over 30 years in business. Though it is certainly a place of interest for tourist, its just as frequented by Chinatown natives. Depending on season, I would say go anytime on weekdays or after 8p on weekends so the wait won't be so long. Mixing of flavors is highly recommended but if you choose a flavor such as green tea which has almost no sweet taste and can be bitter, then you'll want to let the cream slowly melt on your tongue instead continuously slurping. Simply put it, if you're curious but not certain of the taste, either ask for a sample or ask how it tastes. From what I've seen since Chinatown Ice Cream Factory has been very instrumental in popularizing ice cream flavors that are not so popular outside Asia. Keep up the good work and I'm confident they won't start making it more expensive than it has to be like HaagenDazs or Ben & Jerry for the sake of tourist.

RG 2.0

Yum! No pics, sorry, but great ice cream! Pandan was one of our favorites along with Pumpkin Pie👍♥️ …

Anchisa Pongmanavuth

3.5 stars. Pretty good ice cream with lots of cool flavors. Had the black sesame and lychee - both were good, even on a rainy day :) No seating though - take out only.

Susan L. Ratte

My kids and I absolutely love their ice cream, from the Asian-inspired 'Regular' flavors (the Zen Butter & Lychee must-try) to the 'Exotic' flavors (ask my daughter, Katie: the best Strawberry anywhere) + it's a wonderful excuse to get your kids into some culture in one of New York's most exotic neighborhoods. ;-)

Helen L

Very small, narrow shop since the 1970s. Fast, friendly service, even when busy. Many classic plus unique flavors like green tea, lychee, zen butter (white sesame and peanut butter), almond cookie, egg custard, red bean, durian, Viet coffee, Thai iced tea, and ginger. $5 single, $7 double, and $9 triple scoop. Cones, milkshakes, and cakes are also available. Pandan, taro, and chocolate Oreo are my favorite.

Rachel Chaiken

Okay, it's an over-priced tourist trap... but THIS native New Yorker will tell you it's *damn good* ice cream. You can expect a line out the door, but it moves fast and it's worth the wait. They have traditional and exotic flavors-- but do yourself a favor and try something unusual. The lychee is a particular favorite of mine. The dragon fruit and the green tea are (imho) also very good... ... but if expanding your ice cream palate into the unknown pushes you too far out of your comfort zone, no worries-- just keep walking... you'll find a Haagen-Dazs at the corner.

Maki Yamamoto

One scoop is $4, but they do offer a lot of flavors like almond cookie, pumpkin pie (year-round!), taro (a bit too gritty), black sesame, and lychee. Would I come out of my way to come here? Probably not. It’s much too crowded and expensive for what I’m getting. Ice cream shops in the East Village are a much better option.

Katie Spinner

Great Service! Pan Dan and black sesame were my favorites. They've done a really good job of matching the flavors pretty exactly. Prices were very reasonable and would definitely suggest it to any tourists.

M E

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.

Lisa Cao

I love coming here for unique flavors. They have a great selection and you can sample before you buy. I wish I came here earlier! I like the almond cookie and black sesame flavors. So many to choose from!

Nam Tonthat

The lychee flavour is fantastic. Friendly and quick service.

Iuliia Koloskova

Whole in the wall place, cash only so have cash on hand. Ice cream is delicious so definitely worth visiting

Annie Oh

Great little ice cream shop. They have really interesting flavors like green tea oreo, lychee rose, Vietnamese coffee. It's a very tight space so don't expect to hang out there. It's strictly a buy it and leave type of space. It's also cash only.

Janet Nguyen

My new favorite cake place! Every single time I go there the staff is so polite and are always accommodating. Not to mention their flavors are super unique and they have cakes already prepared so u can buy it last minute. My fav is lychee!

Mike Higa

I recommend black sesame and lychee combo ice cream

Sonja Sholklapper

my favorite ice cream in America. Pandan, Taro and Thai Tea are to die for, and a perfect place to visit after Criminal Court or sightseeing in the heart of Chinatown. They also make an amazing ice cream cake, perfect for my son's first birthday (and first ever ice cream!)

Criscelis Claudio

The lychee ice cream is excellent, they have many different flavors unique to their shop such as red bean and taro. Make sure not to go during peak time as there is usually a line.

eva blum

This is THE place to go for homemade taste of ginger icecream or lychee or green tea or black bean ice cream , so good! So many flavors you will want a cup a cone and even a hand packed quart to take home. This place has been here since before I can remember! They sell T-shirts with their dragon logo too for a souvenir. It is for locals and tourists alike!

Eric San José

Easy to see right off of Bayard Street servicing Chinatown and the adjoining areas of Manhattan. Parking on the Street is available but it fills up fast especially at night and on the weekends. Moderately clean facilities. No public Restroom. Great variety of ice cream. On the expensive side so bring your credit cards. We will definitely be going back.

Jennifer Lo

This is a must-go if you're in Chinatown! There is usually a line out the door, but it moves quickly. There have a wide range of Asian flavors such as egg custard, lychee, durian, and black sesame. My favorite is pandan, a fragrant leaf, which I was so surprised they even had. The people who work there are also friendly and let you taste as many flavors you would like before you decide.

Local Guide

Wide selection of traditional and uniquely flavored ice cream. Quality is excellent. Staff are friendly. Prices are high but worth it. Their ice cream cakes are a surprising value and always a hit at a party.

Jimmy Ye

Delicious. Price is a bit high but well worth it since the are very generous with the portion sizes. Remember to check in on Yelp or Facebook to get a free topping. Try out their durian ice cream, it's fantastic.

Timothius Gunawan G Susilo

Very busy n make line but ice cream is delicious. I love the durian pandan

Charlie Shay

The price is probably on the higher end by Chinatown standard, but is comparable to ice cream shop else where. There are plenty of unique flavors to choose from (durian ice cream, if that's your thing). My all time favorite is the lychee sorbet. It's light, refreshing, and you can find actual lychee bits in the sorbet. The place is small and can get very crowded on weekends, but they fill the orders rather quickly. Cash only!

Thomas Baken

amazing ice cream and friendly staff. gets pretty packed and there's nowhere to stand around so get your cone and get out! try the almond cookie or mango. cakes are great too. cash only.

Khalid Elachi

In the heart of NYC's Chinatown, this little ice cream shop offers unique flavors you won't find anywhere else like durian (smelly fruit), thai iced tea and lychee just to name a few. The ice cream's smooth yet creamy texture feels perfect on your tongue. Definitely a rich and indulgent dessert. If you're in the area and are in need of some sweet, cold treats - stop by here and try some unique flavors.

Bob Lou

I tried the durian, Thai tea, and sesame peanut butter flavors. The durian flavor pretty much tasted like durian which I enjoyed, and it didn't carry the smell. Thai tea was perhaps too subtle after the intense durian flavor. Finally, sesame peanut butter was an excellent combination. It is wonderful to see so many different flavors that are mostly successful and I'll definitely be back to try some more. The only negative thing is perhaps the shoddy storefront and presentation, but the ice cream, which is really what matters, is excellent.

Andrew Hu

Amazing ice cream available all year round, they let you sample their flavors as well as much as you want before you make a purchase. I personally recommend the lychee sorbet!

Laurie Murphy

Thai tea ice cream flavor is worth the detour, no matter what subway line you are coming from to Chinatown

ej shortell

When I walked into this unique ice cream shop in Chinatown, there was a long line. The line moved extremely fast. I decided to order one scoop of lychee sorbet and one scoop of mango papaya. The sorbet was extremely refreshing. The lychee had bits of lychee in the sorbet. There were an extensive list of ice cream and sorbet flavors. It was not unreasonable, around $4 a cup of sorbet/ice cream. There were toppings but I like my ice cream and sorbet naked. There is no place to sit inside the store or outside the store. Service is very friendly.

Karen Welsh

This was a childhood favorite of mine. I came back and the flavors hasn't changed at all. It is pretty cheap for how much ice-cream they give you.

Hansel B.

This is a small ice cream shop in the middle of chinatown. I hear that it's famous ,in a tourist kind of way... don't know much about that. They have some interesting flavors like lychee, but they also have all the usual flavors (chocolate, vanilla, etc...). I had banana and chocolate on a cone. It was $7.50... I think it's a little overpriced for ice cream.

Kara Thrace

That little dragon is so cute! Take some extra cash to get a shirt. The flavors are delicious and offer the traditional chocolate and vanilla alongside the unusual ones like taro, lychee, red bean, ginger, and black sesame. Be aware that while black sesame is very tasty, it will also leave black specks in your teeth (maybe not the best choice for a date). A must when visiting Chinatown.

Michael Wang

Almond cookie ice cream, you are straight crack. Good god it is amazing, and it's made me love ice cream again. Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is THE dessert spot in Chinatown. Forget the boba, or I suppose get both, and make your way here after your meal. When I was first invited to try this place out with some friends, I opted out. Oh how I kick myself about it now because that is one less opportunity to have some amazing ice cream. Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is literally right next door to Xi'an Famous Foods. What better way to make a complete meal than to grab some noodles at Xi'an, and then some ice cream after? In actuality, that is exactly what I did. Now Chinatown Ice Cream Factory isn't a large place by any means. Even so, you're ordering ice cream so you can just grab it and go. Here, you will find some of your normal, run of the mill, flavors, but it's their exclusive flavors that make this place amazing. For $4 (cash only), you can treat yourself to some amazing flavors of ice cream that you won't be able to find anywhere else: - Almond Cookie - Ginger - Mango - Taro - Black Sesame - Green Tea - Pandan - Zen Butter - Egg Custard - Lychee - Red Bean I can't say that I've tried all of them, but I went straight for the almond cookie. This thing, if can believe it, literally tasted like an almond cookie. There were nice little bits of almond inside, and the ice cream itself, was nice and soft. A one scoop portion is more than enough for 1-2 people, so don't get carried away. I know it is amazing, and you want to pig out, but this place isn't going anywhere so you can come back next week and get some more. In the past, I've always been clueless on where to get some dessert after eating a meal in Chinatown. It's always been like going to the East Village or somewhere to get some sweets, but now I can just walk right on over to Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, and get me some goods. This is a staple of Chinatown, and you'd be silly to pass this place by, especially if you're visiting from out of town.

Julia Veinblat

The ice cream is so delicious! I got chocolate and green tea matches and I am craving to go back again soon.

Fan of Simon Pegg

Though cramped and a little ways away from the main streets, the ice cream is still high quality with flavors you can't find anywhere else. The macha(?) cookies scoop I had was sublime.

Desmond Chow

BLACK SESAME ICE CREAM! That is all I want. There are other flavors such as Don Tat (egg tart), Almond Cookies and other exotic flavors. But BLACK SESAME ICE CREAM is all I want. Oh wait, maybe I shouldn't mention that. I would hate it to be a popular flavor and run out. So um forget what I said. All flavors are great EXCEPT the Black Sesame Ice Cream. Oh yea... get Taro... or that Durian stuff. Just don't bother w Black Sesame.

Jaime Velazquez-Garcia

Their ice cream is great, flavor you'd expect only to find at the Chinatown ice cream factory, i.e. lychee, mango, red bean and pandan which taste almost like cookies and cream. A bit cramped, cash only and not the greatest service, but still 5 stars.

Neighbourhood Report

If you want a special treat after dinner and want a exotic ice cream, this is the place. They have so many flavors that one evening is not enough to taste them all 😉. …

nelson Gutierrez

The ice cream very fresh and a variety of flavors, they also have sorbet yes it's awesome.

patricia smith

The ice cream flavors were all good, however there's the line. Its worth the wait. Thanks

James Huy Doan

Tasty. But it is too expensive. 1 coop is almost $5. Lots of flavors. I tried lychee. Most of the flavors ran out when we came (around 9pm). It is something that I buy just to know how it is. It's not something I'd come back for.

Carolyn De Melo

The flavors are something special, even the durian. I was a big fan of the taro and black sesame. Go for asian-inspired flavors, but don't go for anything other than to grab and go with your cone, since there isn't any place to sit or hang out, and no ambiance to speak of.

Antwon E. (Twon)

the food was prepared well and the server was very attentive. she even gave the options of utensils or Chopsticks without asking, I recommend the dumplings. But try not to go there on a night were the young Caucasian boys are there, they like to provoke and promote violence🤜🙍‍♂️ #notaboutthatlife …

David Nguyễn

If in Chinatown on a hot NYC summer day there is nowhere better than here. The small tight ice-cream parlour offers some to the best ice cream flavors Asian style. Nowhere in the city will you find Lychee sorbet/ice cream or durian flavors except here (my two favorite flavors). The service is quick unless you are one of those annoying tourist who can’t decide and just stand there hold up everyone in line. Ice cream, ice cream everyone screams for ice cream!

smarfie “matches malone”

Amazing place to go after a really good meal. Black Sesame Ice Cream is amazing. They have a large variety of flavors and a awesome T-Shirt collection.

Tin Ko

different favor ice cream only able to taste her. Very friendly staff, you can taste different favor before you buy.

Clem Casa

Service was a little slow and cash only buttttt delicious taro and green tea ice cream. The flavors were strong and the texture was thick and creamy

Robert

4/13/14: This was my third stop in my frist tour of Chinatown and it was definitely worth it. I wanted to try something new so I ordered just a small Almond Cookie with no toppings. It was very good, better than I expected actually and had a refreshing taste.

Sun P

Love this place! It's so delicious and if you're feeling risky, there are lots of weird flavors to try. Just letting you know, it isn't a hang out and relax kind of spot. It's more like a crowded, pushed around experience, but full of delicious icecream!

Jeremy Stevenson Taylor

Our favorite ice cream in NYC, an institution some 60 plus years old. When we visit the city, we live in Ubud, Bali, we never fail to go for the ginger ice cream

Lawrence Chan

Located right in the heart of NYC's Chinatown, this is a nice place to try new flavors that are rarely seen in your typical ice cream shop. My favorites are the taro and lychee flavors. The lychee ice cream has little chopped up chunks of lychee fruit in it and it's very refreshing. It's a little expensive for a small scoop, but you're coming here for the chance to try a different/new flavor.

Shaolin Kung fu Institute Flemington

Holy moly, what delicious ice cream! Creamy and sweet, but not only that--their selection and variety of flavors sets them apart from any other ice cream shop I've been to. Delicious!

Swie Seng Ling

Try lychee ice cream and black sesame. You won't be disappointed. I personally eat durian ice cream. Durian is an acquired taste so beware.

Neil Cavendish

Yum yum yum. The ice cream here is great as it should be. Portions are large and the staff so friendly. If your in the neighborhood you should probably stop in and get one.

alice chung

Great place for quality ice cream AND original ice cream flavors. My favorite is the popular flavors - BLACK SESAME and PANDAN. Everyone asks me what PANDAN is. I can never fully describe it but It's good and you should GET IT! CASH ONLY and they only allow TWO SAMPLES. Warning: this is a popular place so expect a long line!

Catt Fiddles

Delicious ice cream flavors! One of my all time favorites growing up in nyc. Lines are very long even when they're about to close late at night! My personal most favorite flavor is pandan.

Anthony Le

Really unique flavours and they’re actually super fast at getting your ice cream. Don’t worry if the line seems long - they have multiple people inside that can help you, so the line usually moves very fast

Andy Schumann

Really Really good, but imo pricey for the length of time the creamy delight lasts!! The consistency of the ice cream lends itself to being finished quickly, so you feel as though it's not quite your moneys worth!

Bonnie L

Been coming here since I was a child and still come for their delicious Lychee Sorbet! Their Green tea ice cream is great too!

Julia H

A favorite go to spot for over a decade! I'm particularly fond of their Almond Cookie Ice Cream and Chocolate Oreo. I feel you get a good bang for your buck, especially considering their uniqueness.

Benjamin Wan

If you're looking for a quick ice cream fix, look no further than this little cute place inside the heart of Chinatown. They've got a mixture of flavors from Asian, such as Green Tea or even Durian, to your more traditional everyday ice cream flavors. A def no frills location. Includes a couple pocky sticks for your eating pleasure!

Charles Harrison

Tons of unique flavors of ice cream and they were great! Just make sure you have cash. They do not take cards and it wasn’t advertised well.

Amy Tan

Amazing flavors, including vegan ones.

John Wu

Since the 70's, the original unique Chinatown creamery. Friendly and quick service. Unique flavors. Unique ice cream cakes. The Seid family can always be proud of their establishment.

michyun o

The don't have all their flavors on any certain day, unfortunately, but egg tart, Thai tea, and blueberry lavender are top notch. REALLY want to try Vietnamese coffee flavor.

Eric Messmann

Very good ice cream, flavors you've never heard of. Had a scoop of ginger and a scoop of green tea. Awesome!

Mark Siddens

Bring friends so you can steal some of theirs. I got the Almond Cookie and it was sublime. As was the orange sorbet and the leaf(?) flavored ice cream. Staff were friendly, cheerful and patient with my indecisiveness. Excellent place.

Victor Seto

Best black sesame ice cream I've had. Any ice cream shop I go to that offers black sesame, I always get it and this place is my #1. Small shop tucked in the middle of Chinatown. Must have if you're in the area.

Raelyn Griffin

So many flavors to choose from. I loved their chocolate and cookie flavor. Ice cream was too good and delicious.

Jasmine Knowles

I got the red bean (not too sweet but also not too flavorful) as well as the pandan (SO GOOD). My friend got the lychee (so good) and the green tea (also so good, not too strong or sweet). Staff were so helpful and friendly and let us sample more than a few.

주연

definitely try taro icecream

Jenny Rojsirilawan

The best icecream ever. Lychee, taro and black sesame! My top 3 fav

Chris Mueller

This place has very generous portions, a one scoop cup is the size of a two scoop at most places. Also, the flavor selection is awesome; the black sesame is my favorite!

Mike Helferstay

Lots of flavor choices here, haven't had a bad one. Small place but that's part of the charm. And they included a pocky stick with ice cream last time I went!

Sarah E

They had a lot of interesting flavors, and the line runs out the door, especially on hot days. The durian one tasted true to the fruit, without having an overpowering smell

Michael Lenahan

CASH ONLY!! This is my favorite ice cream in NYC. The texture is airier and fluffier than most ice creams. Flavors include familiar flavors and more asian flavors like pandan, durian, ginger, matcha oreo, egg custard, and red bean.

Traci

This is another one of the places I should have gone to for years, but just visited recently. Walking inside, your're greeted by a friendly counter staff girl or two, and immediately overwhelmed by the choices. But, the choices are all good! I had the almond ice cream with a jelly-ish rice topping and I was in heaven. Super delicious and a must-have when in the area.

BM Sikares

Yummy ice cream

Arthur Motch

Great exotic ice cream flavors like almond cookie, pandan, ginger, mango, black sesame, and others. The mascot is a chubby baby dragon. Definately worth a stop.

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