"It began with Hannah Bae figuring out how to distill the flavors of crunchy rice at the bottom of the pan, a favorite from her childhood, into toasted rice ice cream. Over time, she developed a repertoire of Asian American flavors like black sesame, Thai tea, red bean, pandan, and taro. She’s always innovating: One day it's mochi cookies and cream, the next, gochujang caramel cookie dough and makgeolli. Noona’s — a reference to the Korean word for older sister — sells at specialty grocers around the city and beyond. But this week, Bae announced that she will open her first ice cream shop in the East Village, at 304 E. Fifth Street, near Second Avenue, in August." - Emma Orlow
