A San Francisco institution since 1953, famous for unique flavors like ube, buko, and Mexican chocolate.
Asian-Inspired Ice Cream & Flavors in San Francisco
From matcha and black sesame to ube, taro, and mochi-wrapped scoops, these San Francisco shops put Asian-inspired flavors front and center.
Asian Flavors ice cream shops in SF
Creative ice cream shop known for sandwiching unique flavors like Fruity Pebbles, White Rabbit, and mangonada inside doughnuts. Offers inventive combinations of ice cream with fun toppings and vessels.
A beloved neighborhood ice cream shop open since the 1950s, famous for its spin-the-wheel tradition that lets fate decide your flavor. Offers more than 500 rotating flavors including Asian-inspired options like durian, lychee, and jasmine alongside classics like Rocky Road and mint chocolate chip.
South Asian-inspired ice cream from Priti Narayanan and Madhuri Anji, the San Francisco outpost of the Oakland-born business. Try the banana ice cream paired with gulab jamun bites, or the cake batter-infused Fairy Glitter for a unique treat.
Creative gelato and Japanese shaved ice (kakigori) inside the Transamerica Pyramid complex, run by chefs Bradley and Soraya Kilgore. Offers nearly 30 toppings and inventive flavor combinations.
Chinatown rolled ice cream shop at Grant and Washington where ice cream is made to order on a cold pan and rolled with toppings. Also serves milk tea, fruit tea with boba, and coffee.
Japanese matcha cafe in Japan Center serving award-winning matcha and hojicha soft serve in freshly made waffle cones, plus floats, frappes, and parfaits.
Castro matcha cafe and dessert shop known for its signature organic matcha soft serve, along with matcha lattes, boba sundaes, and croffles.
Made-to-order Thai-style rolled ice cream shop in the Richmond where ingredients are spread and rolled on a frozen steel pan, with boba milk tea on the menu too.
A Japantown institution in the Japan Center serving crispy Japanese-style crepes filled with Fiorello's artisan gelato, run by the same owner for over 20 years.
Looking for something else? Browse all SF ice cream shops or explore by neighborhood.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular Asian ice cream flavors?
Some of the most popular include matcha (green tea), black sesame, ube (purple yam), taro, red bean, Thai tea, mango, and lychee. Many SF shops also serve mochi ice cream and taiyaki cones.
Where can I find ube ice cream in San Francisco?
Ube — a vibrant purple yam flavor from the Philippines — is a standout in SF's Asian-flavor scene. See our dedicated ube guide for the best spots, or browse the shops below for more Asian-inspired options.