AWAN

Awan is the kind of ice cream stop that instantly feels dialed in. The vibe is super cool, the team is genuinely warm, and it sits perfectly right next to the coffee shop so it’s an easy add on to your walk. Everything feels intentional, from how they guide you through flavors to how clean and simple the whole setup is. I went with the salted caramel in a bowl and it was exactly what I wanted, silky, rich, and perfectly balanced without that burnt sugar heaviness. The girls got the strawberry and it tasted like real fruit, bright, fresh, and not overly sweet. What really stood out is how clean the ingredients taste, you can actually pick up the coconut notes and that “just made” freshness in every bite. I’ll be back, and next time I’m grabbing a pint to take home. More on social media: @ratedbymaryam

I was so excited for the Venice location to open, and it did not disappoint! The storefront is pretty small, and parking is a bit difficult as is expected in Venice. The flavors really impressed me. I loved that everything was vegan and how inventive the flavors are. The seasonal flavors are $1 more, but pretty worth it. I ended up getting the Peach + Apricot Swirl (not too sweet, very clearly peachy, well balanced, creamy texture), and my friend got the Salted Caramel (on the sweeter side, well balanced, strong caramel flavor). The kids scoop size was plenty satisfying. I already want to come back to try the other seasonal flavors!

On any weekdays they wouldn't be open until 3pm, while on weekend they would come earlier by noon. Good news was you could have it as post-dinner dessert given they would only be closed by 10pm. So long day-light during summer surely made it just perfect. Some of the flavor selections, either from the core or the seasonal ones, weren't like any you could easily find elsewhere. Even for the ones that might sound bit familiar like strawberry or vanilla or even oreo, they kinda featured their own unique selling point by mixing it with distinctive ingredients. Bringing a touch of Indonesia, I was really impressed that they presented the iconic brown sugar from my very own home country! Trust me, if you wondered it's just brown sugar, you'd better save that thought aside and gave it a try then thanked me later. If you're worried about dairy, this was certainly the answer for you as their ice cream was dairy free, using coconut milk. If you're unsure which flavors you might fancy, they did offer tasting. The single scoop cup was 5oz, but there's petite version at 3oz. If you're kind of indecisive like me or just want more mix of flavors, go for the split scoop, which was basically 2 scoops of the kid size. TBH I tried Awan already before and went for their Vanilla and Matcha, which I thought was OKAYish but bit too pricey. This second try hooked me stronger especially their Salted Caramel Gula Jawa, which used the earlier-called brown sugar shavings on top. That topping surely elevated the overall flavor, and I would recommend pair it with probably refreshing fruit-based ones or something with tangy note. In my case I paired it with the Nekohama Hojicha, which was maybe not the right decision as it made the Hojicha one tasted too subtle, which I guessed because the first one carried quite vibrant taste. NGL still think it's tad steep, particularly as I went for one seasonal flavor, which meant +$1 landing this split scoop at $11. Will I come back? YES, am still intrigued by all other flavors I haven't tried, and I am also appreciating the effort introducing home-country ingredients here! Thinking out loud, prolly the reason behind the price tag.

Awan has quickly become one of my favorite spots in Venice. I’ve been several times and tried the lemon curd banana with Graza olive oil and sea salt, the chocolate Oreo, and the Jawa salted caramel. Each one was decadent in its own way. What makes Awan stand out is not only the bold flavor combinations but also the way they’ve perfected the fat content in their plant-based recipe. Many non-dairy ice creams miss the mark on texture, but Awan has achieved that rich, creamy feel that makes the flavors shine. This is not just great plant-based ice cream. It is some of the best ice cream in Los Angeles.

I had no clue there was something called Indonesian ice cream. Think exotic spices and tropical fruits. And then the much awaited Awan opened their Venice chapter at Dayglow. This is a far cry from your Baskin Robbins and a welcome addition to the neighborhood that has Wanderlust, an excellent artisanal ice cream shop. Awan just happens to be vegan, with clean flavors and reduced guilt. They are kid friendly with a kid friendly scoop, and are generous with tastings. You order at a hole in the wall, and within a minute you can be united with some yummy ice cream, that's not 'icy' as some low quality vegan ice cream. They have classic flavors like chocolate Oreo, balinese vanilla (yes with real vanilla, not that fake essence nature identical flavoring), a collab with day glow coffee (yum), strawberry as well as a rotating menu of specialty flavors. Service is great, parking is street and relatively easy to find, and there's a small outdoor seating area to enjoy your iced treats. Overall, a welcome addition to the neighborhood and a solid choice that's open 7 days until 10 pm. Esp. if you go to cafe gratitude or any of the myriad restaurants on Rose ave, Awan is a great less-guilty dessert option to drown your woes.

Kieran is seriously the best- friendly, upbeat, and always makes the ice cream stop feel like a little highlight of the day. He’s great with customers, super patient, and never rushes you even when the line is long and you’re debating flavors. You can tell he actually cares about doing a good job and making people feel welcome. If Kieran’s working, you already know the service and vibes are going to be great.

Exceptional ice cream! A nice variety of flavors that work well individually but also pair well together. Friendly staff too. It’s on the pricier side for ice cream but worth it. Would recommend!

I’ve tried a lot of ice cream on the west side but this one was just okay. The person working barely spoke to me and just handed me the cup without another word. The taste didn’t justify the price either.