Somisomi - Arcadia

This charming ice cream shop offers delicious flavors—my top picks are the milk tea and matcha! I give it a four-star rating because I’ve visited the Somi Somi in Irvine, where the taiyaki was softer and chewier. At this location, the taiyaki was a bit hard and crunchy, and I personally prefer the fluffy cones. As a slow eater, I found that the ice cream melts quickly and drips down my hand, so I suggest asking for an extra cup on the side to avoid any mess!

The customer service and recommendations were outstanding. We chose the #3 option with Nutella filling, and it was absolutely delicious. I must say, the end was both the best and worst part because we ran out! Overall, it’s a must-try, and we will definitely be coming back.

Taiyaki, which are fish-shaped waffles filled with custard, Nutella, and other delicious options, paired with their delicate soft serve, make for a fantastic combination.

The staff during closing time are exceptionally friendly, and having charming servers is certainly a bonus. But even without that, the desserts are truly fantastic if you're in the mood for something sweet. I tried the swirl of the day, which was a delightful blend of milk tea and ube (similar to taro) flavors. They also offer free toppings, though I'm uncertain if that was a special favor for me or available for everyone. There’s seating available near Coffee Bean, just a few dozen feet away, but I'm not certain if that area is exclusively for Coffee Bean customers.

The ice cream fish were delicious! The taiyakis (the closed ones) were just average. They were a bit undercooked on the inside, so I probably won't order them again.