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If anything on this earth is pure and true, it is that Torontonians love their ice cream in any way, shape or form. At the peak of summer ‘16, it was inevitable that another bold reinvention of ice cream would roll out and it’s safe to say, we have a winner. (Cue evil theme music) You should f*cking eat this: Thai ice cream rolls.
What is a Thai ice cream roll? An ice cream roll in Toronto means a Thai street food-inspired dish, made by using a cold plate to transform a liquid ice cream base into a hard, yet creamy sheet of deliciousness in minutes. The ice cream is then scraped from the cold surface in a manner that curls the ice cream into beautiful lil’ rolls. Then, it can be topped with ingredients of the eater’s choosing, with options that range from fresh fruit to wacky candy. To some, this dessert is also called fried ice cream rolls, stir-fried ice cream or ice pan ice cream but in this town, Thai Ice Cream Roll seems to be the name that stuck.
Watch the video below to help you visualize (skip to 0:53 to see how it’s made!)
And here’s where you can f*cking get it:
Downtown Toronto
Arctic Bites
21 Balwin Street
Arctic Bites was pretty much the first on the scene with Thai ice cream rolls in Toronto – they put the rolls front and centre. In the heart of Kensington Market, this treat is king. Each bowl of ice cream is made to order and takes 2-4 minutes depending on the complexity of the selected flavours. Customizing is a never-ending adventure that can start with ice cream bases like taro & coconut, peppermint, earl grey, Thai tea, strawberry, cream and black sesame.
Frosty Roll
280 Augusta Ave
This quick and tasty spot is a small but mighty operation. The ice cream bases are made fresh before the store opens every day and there are plenty of specialty ice cream roll combos that perfectly mashup their unique accouterments. For example, picture the WhiteBerry with fresh strawberry slices, strawberry Pocky, a strawberry wafer and white chocolate. New flavours and combinations roll out every week, guaranteeing a frosty good time.
Nice Pan
247 August Avenue
Very nice! With customizable toppings from a particularly notable fresh fruit bar, this is another stellar option for pedestrian Sundays. Keep an eye on their social media accounts because Nice Pan is always showing off limited time surprises, like the recently featured Tiramisu special that came with lady fingers, whipped cream and a dust of espresso over their vanilla ice cream base.
Markham
Evalion Ice Cream & Exotic Desserts
Pacific Mall, 2nd Floor – C1 215
Seriously, is there anything that you can’t get at Pacific Mall? Evalion has stepped up to represent the Thai ice cream roll trend. This spot has three ice cream bases to choose from green tea, strawberry, and mango, as well as all the classic toppings like brownie bits and fresh fruit. Fun fact: they also serve exotic fruit juices (taro, honey melon, and mango) out of lightbulbs that have straws inserted into them. Who knew!
Toast Delight
8339 Kennedy Road, Unit 2659
This Chinese bakeshop has no qualms drawing inspiration from elsewhere. As of this summer, the shop now offers Thai ice cream rolls in addition to their beloved items like their gorgeous egg waffles. Here, you can enjoy your Thai ice cream rolls outfitted with toppings both edible and not, like tiny cocktail umbrellas or rose petals and multicoloured marshmallows. Always ready for the ‘gram.
Mississauga
Wow Wow Yum Yum
4141 Dixie Road, Unit 13
Pretty sure that it’s not a coincidence how this place is named after the phrases “wow” and “yum”. All of the bases are made with fresh cream and milk, with fruit and mix-ins like matcha, Oreo, Nutella, taro and avocado. There are 24 different flavours listed, but you also have the opportunity to mix and match and can have it served with an egg waffle!
Scarborough
QQ Thai Ice Cream
2378 Midland Ave
This place has twelve available flavours and all fruity flavours are made with fresh fruit. Standout toppings include a full, freshly toasted marshmallow on a stick, strawberry, and mango bubble poppers, and heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies. Pro tip – you can mix two flavours to get two colours in the same roll!
RELATED LINK: You Should F*cking Eat This: Poke in Toronto
Did we miss any of the best places to get Thai ice cream rolls? Have a suggestion for where we should f*cking eat next? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below, or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.
