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ZipPicks Awards
Best Ice Cream in Sawtelle Japantown
Master Critic Review
SomiSomi Soft Serve & Taiyaki
7.9
Korean fish-shaped waffle cones (ah-boong) filled to order with rotating soft serve flavors—ube, matcha, sesame—where the cone itself is the draw, crisp and warm against cold soft serve. The Sawtelle location runs as a tight counter-service operation in a small footprint, built for grab-and-go rather than sitting down. It works best as a planned detour when you're already walking the Sawtelle strip, not a destination worth fighting parking for on its own.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ah-Boong (Taiyaki with Soft Serve), Matcha Soft Serve, Nutella Ah-Boong
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Korean-style fish-shaped waffle cones filled to order with rotating soft serve flavors like ube, matcha, and sesame.
Who should go: Dessert lovers chasing photogenic Korean street sweets.
When to visit: Weekday afternoons to skip the weekend line.
What to order: Get an Ah-Boong with soft serve inside and a crispy tail; pair matcha or ube ice cream with a Nutella or red bean filling for contrast.
Insider tip: Ask for your Ah-Boong extra crispy and check the seasonal flavor board before committing to a standard pick.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot — street parking only in the Sawtelle Japantown strip. Metered spots on Mississippi Ave ($1.50/hr, free Sundays). Free spots on Missouri Ave and Purdue Ave within a 1–3 min walk. Expect to circle the block on weekend evenings.
Dress code: Walk-up dessert counter with no indoor dining — anything goes, including shorts and flip-flops.
Weekend wait: ~20 minutes in line on weekend evenings, but the line moves fast thanks to kiosk ordering.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Entire menu is vegetarian — soft serve, taiyaki cones, and all fillings (Nutella, custard, taro, red bean, cheese) contain no meat.
Vegan options: No vegan options — the soft serve is made with dairy milk (lactose-free but not dairy-free), and the taiyaki contains dairy and eggs.
Gluten-free options: Soft serve in a cup (skip the taiyaki cone) avoids gluten — all flavors except Oreo are gluten-free. Allergen menu available at the counter.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, but as a fun, casual stop rather than a main event. The adorable fish-shaped taiyaki cones are Instagram-ready and make for a great shared experience — picking flavors and fillings together is a natural icebreaker. There's no real sit-down dining here, so plan to stroll Sawtelle Japantown afterward. Best paired with dinner at one of the nearby restaurants for a memorable date night combo.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Reservations don't apply here — this is a walk-up counter-service dessert shop. However, expect lines, especially on weekend evenings when Sawtelle gets busy. Weeknight visits are much quicker. They use an automated ordering system that keeps things moving even during peak times. There's no real indoor seating — just a bench outside — so plan to walk and eat.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — it's an ice cream and taiyaki shop, so kids love it. The fish-shaped cones are fun and visually exciting for younger ones, and the ordering process is quick. No dedicated kids menu, but portions are shareable and you can customize fillings (custard and Nutella are kid favorites). The line can test patience with very young children, so visit on off-peak hours if possible.
Is it good for groups? It works for small groups of 3-5 who are happy to stand or walk while eating. There's no group seating — the shop is compact with counter service only and a single bench outside. Larger groups can order without issue, but you'll be eating on the sidewalk or walking Sawtelle. Not ideal if your group wants to sit down together.
Is there outdoor seating? Minimal — there is a bench outside the shop, but no patio, tables, or dedicated outdoor dining area. Most customers eat while walking the Sawtelle strip. The building does have a connected parking garage, which is convenient. This is a grab-and-go dessert spot, not a sit-down experience.
Best For
Better for: Quick post-dinner dessert stop while exploring Sawtelle — the fish-shaped cone with swirled soft serve is a photo-ready novelty treat, not a sit-down experience.
Skip if: You're vegan or dairy-free (nothing on the menu works), you want to sit down (counter-service only, no real seating), or you're hitting Sawtelle on a weekend night and hate lines.
Hours
Monday12pm - 11pm
Tuesday12pm - 11pm
Wednesday12pm - 11pm
Thursday12pm - 11pm
Friday12pm - 11:30pm
Saturday12pm - 11:30pm
Sunday12pm - 11pm