In our series, "From Cities: Admiring the Cities of the World," we bring you the latest local information on cities around the world, including Paris, Milan, New York, etc., notable addresses, and authentic city snaps! For a while, we'll be sending you updates with the hope that in the near future, when we can travel abroad freely again, we'll be visiting those places.

In this 10th installment, we'll focus on recommended "vegan-friendly" ice cream shops in New York, USA.

Veganism is gradually becoming more and more common not only overseas but also in Japan, and is evolving every day. Recently, an increasing number of people, especially the younger generation who are interested in sustainability, are becoming vegan not only for "health" but also for the "earth."


Veganism is spreading everywhere in New York, and there are now many places where you can choose from a "vegan-friendly menu" without having to go out of your way to find a vegan-only restaurant or cafe. Like the three shops featured in this article, there are now ice cream shops that offer egg- and dairy-free, 100% plant-based menus.


The wide variety of healthy, environmentally friendly, and guilt-free ice cream options available is great news for non-vegans too! So, if you're in New York, we'll be introducing some of our top picks for vegan-friendly ice cream shops that you should definitely visit. Don't miss the taste reports from our New York-based staff at each shop! Check them out now.

01. "OddFellows Ice Cream Co. Dumbo"
They serve ice cream so rich you'll wonder if it's really made without milk.

"OddFellows Ice Cream Co. Dumbo" is located in the Dumbo development in Brooklyn. Their popular vegan option is vegan dark chocolate ice cream topped with strawberry lemon basil sorbet.

Double Scoops "Vegan Dark Chocolate Chunk" + "Strawberry Lemon Basil Sorbet"
(Total $7.50 + Tax)
《From: Staff based in New York》
The base of the chocolate-flavored ice cream "Vegan Dark Chocolate Chunk" is apparently made with cashew milk and coconut milk instead of milk, and the flavor is so rich that you might wonder if it's really dairy-free. Alternating them with the refreshing sorbet is so delicious you won't be able to stop!


By the way, for those who aren't particular about vegan menus, there are flavors such as coffee crunch and cookie mint, as well as more unusual flavors like olive oil. The flavor lineup changes depending on the season, so enjoy it depending on your mood.

The Dumbo district, where OddFellows Ice Cream Co. Dumbo is located, is where a flea market is held every weekend and is a perfect area for exploring New York. After enjoying ice cream at this shop, we recommend stopping by the shop while strolling around the neighborhood or attending an event.

02. "Van Leeuwen Ice Cream"
When it comes to vegan ice cream shops in New York, this shop is a must-visit!

When it comes to vegan ice cream shops in New York, "Van Leeuwen Ice Cream" is a must-visit. They started out operating out of an ice cream truck in 2008, quickly becoming popular and now have multiple locations in NYC and LA.



Approximately half of the menu items at this shop are vegan, with a wide variety to choose from. According to the store staff, the top three most popular flavors on the vegan menu are "chocolate chip," "cookie strawberry jam," and "creme caramel."

This time, our staff, who live in New York, have chosen their three recommendations.

Triple Scoops: "Choc Chip Cookie Dough" + "Cookie Crumble Strawberry Jam" + "Cookies & Cream Caramel Swirl" ($9.95) + "Honeycomb Candy Topping" ($1.00) (Total $10.95 + Tax)
《From: Staff based in New York》
The staff recommended three popular items, and it was hard to choose between them, so I decided to try them all. I also added the popular honey candy topping! The ice cream base is richly sweet with a subtle hint of coconut. That's because, instead of milk, they use a unique recipe of coconut cream, coconut butter, and cashew milk. Each flavor is as sweet and filling as a cake, yet surprisingly not heavy. The candy toppings have a delightful texture. They're quite sweet, but if you have a sweet tooth, give them a try.


In addition to their wide selection of standard flavors, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream also offers monthly special flavors. They also offer a variety of takeaway products (14oz / starting at $12.00), so if you want to try a variety, you can purchase the ones you like and enjoy them at your hotel or home.

03. "Chloe's Soft Serve Fruit Co."
Enjoy vegan soft serve ice cream with fruit toppings

Chloe's Soft Serve Fruit Co. in Union Square, NY Co. is popular because you can enjoy vegan soft serve ice cream topped with fruit. On the day of our visit, even though it was a weekday, there was a line of about eight people outside the store. (*Due to business restrictions imposed due to the pandemic, the store is still open for takeout only. The interior of the store was photographed from the outside looking in.)



The store is committed to ensuring that all of its products, with the exception of a few toppings, are vegan. There is a wide variety of flavors and topping sauces, and you can order your own custom recipes. According to the store staff, the most popular menu item is banana chocolate soft serve ice cream topped with fresh bananas and strawberries.

Following on from the aforementioned store, our New York-based staff also ordered this recommended menu item.

Sundaes Regular Size "Banana & Dark Chocolate Soft Serve Fruit" (Total $7.25 + Tax)
《From: New York-based staff》
It's creamy, yet somehow different from soft serve ice cream made with milk, with a refreshing sweetness that's delicious. The banana and strawberry pulp also taste fresh, making it the perfect dessert for the hot summer. By the way, you can also add crushed pretzels as a topping, which might add a salty flavor. It's fun to try out different customizations.

Enjoy the soft serve ice cream at Chloe's Soft Serve Fruit Co. with a casual parfait-like feel. This might be a vegan dessert style you've never seen before in Japan. Definitely a must-visit shop.



And that concludes our picks for three vegan-friendly ice cream shops in New York. Did you find any shops that caught your eye? There's no doubt that vegan ice cream in New York has evolved so that even non-vegans can enjoy it.

When the day comes when we can travel abroad freely again, be sure to check out the shops introduced in this article.

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