Support these vegan-friendly scoop shops during the month of May and beyond!
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’re enjoying vegan ice cream from AAPI-owned businesses. From a scoop of Hong Kong Milk Tea in Hollywood to Spiced Peanut Crunch ice cream in Brooklyn, we’ve got a frozen dessert for you to try. For more non-dairy treats near you, check out our list of AAPI-owned ice cream shops nationwide!
Dear Bella Creamery
Hollywood & Costa Mesa, CA
Created by Alice Cherng and Belinda Wei in 2017, Dear Bella Creamery has continued to impress its California customers with delicious plant-based ice cream. The scoop shops feature flavors ranging from Black Sesame and Hong Kong Milk Tea to Taiwanese Pineapple Cake and Horchata, but that’s just the tip of the ice(cream)berg. The chef-driven dessert menu features a quarterly rotation of 16 flavors. And we are here for it!
Courtesy of Dear Bella Creamery
Wanderlust Creamery
California
Vegan-Friendly
Wanderlust Creamery was co-founded by Adrienne Borlongan and Jon-Patrick “JP” Lopez after the duo conceptualized creative flavors that reminded them of their childhood and made them feel, well … wanderlust. While the brand is not fully vegan, the shops offer a delicious variety of vegan-friendly scoops like Sticky Rice + Mango, Passionfruit Cacao, and Gianduja (an ode to Italy made with cacao and hazelnut paste). Major bonus: This AAPI-owned ice cream shop ships pints nationwide!
Courtesy of Wanderlust Creamery
Malai Ice Cream
New York, NY
Vegan-Friendly
Drawing inspiration from South Asian ingredients along with the flavors of her childhood, Pooja Bavishi, founder and CEO of Malai Ice Cream, has been bringing unique ice cream to The Big Apple since 2015. The NYC brand uses coconut milk and Raaka vegan white chocolate for the creamiest and most luxurious plant-based ice cream selection. Vegan flavors include Lychee, Passionfruit Cilantro, and Spiced Peanut Crunch, to name a few.
Courtesy of Malai
Ice Cream Jubilee
Arlington, VA, & Washington, D.C.
Vegan-Friendly
To Victoria Lai, Ice Cream Jubilee founder, the creamy dessert is so much more than just ice cream. From childhood dessert dates with her dad to a major career change as an adult, Lai’s passion for frozen desserts continues to fuel her life. And now she is sharing it with East Coasters! Vegan-friendly ice cream choices include Strawberry Hibiscus sorbet and Chocolate Amaretti dairy-free ice cream. Fans of this AAPI-owned ice cream shop can also get their hands on pints at grocery stores in select states and with nationwide shipping through Goldbelly.
Courtesy of Ice Cream Jubilee
The Greenery Creamery
Orlando & Sanford, FL
Vegan-Friendly
The Greenery Creamery opened its doors in 2018 as Orlando’s first artisanal ice cream boutique. This AAPI-owned ice cream shop was co-founded by Marie Mercado and Mahmoud “Mo” Hassan, major ice cream enthusiasts. The flavors are rotational, with vegan options like Ube Coco Mac Nut and Peach Oolong Sorbet taking over in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Be sure to check out the duo’s other Orlando venture, Sampaguita Ice Cream + Bakeshop.
Photo by Sarah Seeds
Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream
Bethesda, MD
Vegan-Friendly
After retiring in 2018, Sarah Park opened Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream with her daughter Annie. The Maryland-based scoop shop currently runs with two Bethesda locations. The inclusive menu features a crave-worthy array of vegan-friendly ice creams and sorbets. For a creamy treat, think Vegan Double Chocolate Chip or Vegan Mint Oreo. Or go for something with a fruity and refreshing vibe, like the Pink Grapefruit Champagne Sorbet. No matter what you choose, you’re going to love this AAPI-owned ice cream shop!
Photo by Wildwood Shopping Center
Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery
Honolulu, HI
Vegan-Friendly
Whether you’re visiting the Aloha State or are a Hawaiian native, we’re mad jealous. But you’ve got to check out this AAPI-owned ice cream shop during your time on the island! Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery is located in Honolulu, Hawaii and features vegan-friendly ice cream choices like Haupia Heaven, a coconut cream-based frozen treat. Pipeline is a must-try!
Courtesy of Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery
Soft Swerve
New York, NY
Vegan-Friendly
When craving vegan ice cream in New York, be sure to check out this AAPI-owned ice cream shop! Soft Swerve specializes in Asian-inspired ice cream flavors, and we are obsessed with the brand’s dairy-free formulations! The Soft Swerve vegan options rotate, but the brand’s Vegan Ube is one for the books. The shops have also been known to run dairy-free Pineapple Soft Swerve, too. Either way, be sure to load up on the vegan-friendly toppings!
Courtesy of Soft Swerve
If you don’t live near these AAPI-owned ice cream shops, we’ve still got the scoop! Some of these ice cream shops ship their products nationwide. But for the at-home ice cream enthusiasts, we’ve got you covered, too! Must Love ships its banana-based vegan ice cream across the US and can be found in a variety of grocery stores. Additionally, both Noona’s and Sundae Service Creamery offer vegan-friendly ice cream choices through their respective online shops. We can’t have you missing out on these creamy, vegan dessert options, now can we?
