Taiyaki NYC Japanese Ice Cream

My family and I stopped in to this ice cream shop because we wanted something sweet but different while we were visiting Chinatown in New York city. Everyone was very kind while serving us and the Japanese ice cream was uniquely delicious. The fish shaped cone had its own surprised at the very bottom, it was like some sort of custard but it was complimentary to the ice cream. There are a couple of benches for seating while you enjoy your ice cream, it is a small space but doable for about eight people all at once. There is no outside seating available. We would definitely recommend this buisness to anyone who enjoys ice cream because it's unique, delicious and flavorful. Thank you for your kindness, we wish you many years of success and hope to be back in town to enjoy more of your ice cream.

Trendy shop in lower Manhattan. Small store front but really good ice cream, especially on a hot day. The wait isn't long and the staff works quickly. They have a ton of options to pick, and everyone seemed to love their flavor. Not over priced considering how popular they are.

Cool little spot in Chinatown to get ice cream treats in one of those cute 'fish shaped cone '. They don't have too many flavors but I got the chocolate tayaki cone with some chocolate syrup on top and a cookie added on top too . Really tasty . Especially on a hot day . This is actually on Baxter street right off Canal . Not too far from Broadway. Staff are really friendly and helpful. Nice place to stop for ice cream if you are in Chinatown area.

The hot weather is perfect for ice cream. I got the Matcha and Yuzu on a Taiyaki cone. The ice cream looks exactly the same as the advertised menu. The ice cream is soft, creamy, and not overly sweet. The are a few benches inside the store where you can enjoy the ice cream. There was a small crowd went I was there but the service was super quick.

Taiyaki is a super fun unique treat to enjoy when you're in Chinatown. I got the mango & strawberry soft serve which is served in a red bean filled come and my friend got the macha & Yuzu which was topped with mochi and a wafer. Both were super yummy and refreshing. I could definitely share one next time.

Ate too fast so don't have pictures of ice cream but we ordered one of a bunch, they look just like pictures, and tasted great! Maybe biased because it was hot outside and this ice cream really hit the spot, but we thought this place was great!

I was recommended the yuzu matcha taiyaki—honestly wasn’t sure how those flavors would go together, but it ended up being pretty decent. The taiyaki itself was super crispy, which I loved. Definitely worth a try if you’re curious about unique flavor combos.

This place used to be awesome, the ice cream super creamy and delicious. Now the ice cream is more icy than creamy. Seems like they are skimping out on the full fat ice cream which is a shame bc this place is on my list of stops every time I’m in the city.

- literally one of my go to places for ice cream in nyc!! - so delicious, especially the red bean cone being warm against the cold ice cream - not really any seating inside or outside (especially if it's busy) so be prepared to stand outside and eat lol - workers are very nice - they give out free stickers sometimes!

Was looking for interesting looking dessert places near the Italian district as it was pretty warm during my visit, and Taiyaki NYC popped up as an interesting option to check out! I love taiyaki and I love soft serve, so I went around 3pm on a Saturday to how the desserts are here. Taiyaki NYC itself is a pretty small shop, I would say only about 15-20 people could fit into the shop and everyone would probably be elbow to elbow in terms of space. There are about 6-7 spots near the front of the shop that people can sit to enjoy their treats, otherwise you will have to take your dessert and either enjoy in the shop while standing or take it to go. Ordering is done at the cashier, and they will call out your name to pick up once your order is ready. My order only took like 5 minutes to fulfill. I got the number 4: straight out of Japan option. This included matcha and black sesame soft serve, garnished with a small skewer of mochi and a wafer cookie roll. The red bean filling was in the taiyaki fish itself, closer to where mid way of the pastry - the filling was hearty and may be a bit hefty after enjoying some light ice cream. I thought that the soft serve tasted smooth and there was definitely a black sesame and matcha flavor profile. Matcha itself doesn't really have a strong flavor so the black sesame flavor dominated, which is what is expected - This was nice and refreshing on a hot day, note that it does get challenging to eat as the soft serve will drip everywhere. For dessert, almost $9 is not cheap by all means, but I guess you are paying for the novelty of such a dessert. But most ice cream places in this area of town are likely $5-8 anyways (nearby gelato). If you are looking for an interesting looking dessert option, Taiyaki NYC has you covered on those bases.

Small little spot. Easily crowded but the workers there attend to everyone quickly so you're not standing in line for very long. Very kind people, answered any questions I had about it . I got the #1 which was vanilla ice cream with cookie crumbles and a wafer straw. I rate it a 5/5. The ice cream is extremely soft (but not a melting mess) and the cone was also soft (at least softer than the average waffle cone. Similar to a waffle) which made it a great pair with the ice cream. At the bottom of the cone there was a custard thing, not super sure what it was but it was good nonetheless. My partner got the "beach, please" which, I'm pretty sure, was strawberry and mango with coconut flakes. He described it as strawberry ice cream with mango sorbet. The end of his cone had something called "red bean", he wasn't a huge fan of it but the taste of it isn't very overbearing so he was still able to finish and enjoy the cone. He gives it a 4/5.

Small shop with a couple windows seats nestled on a side street. Offering predetermined or 'make your own' Taiyaki. Ice cream and Taiyaki were good. Ice cream was icy, yet creamy, and Taiyaki had a good filling in a fresh warm fish 'cone'. Toppings added a nice texture. Service was also quick. Not the best I've ever had but tasty enough to go back again and try more; the drinks with Taiyaki looked interesting!

I got the matcha and sesame swirl with condensed milk and two mochi sticks in a custard taiyaki and the soft serve was SO GOOD. The matcha was rich and creamy, the sesame was perfectly nutty. Such a good swirl. Unfortunately, I felt like the taiyaki didn't have enough body to it- I wish there was more of the tender taiyaki inners. Custard was pretty good but also kind of skimpy. The two mochi sticks were excellent, Service was quick- and there's some space to sit but no real tables which makes it more appropriate for take out and go.

I stopped by this place after lunch this past Friday for a cool dessert since it was 80+ degrees outside. I got the mango strawberry ice cream on a cone filled with red bean. The ice cream flavors combo on was point and hit the spot. I love anything with red bean so the cone was good too. The service was good and the ambiance was cool too. I got a seat inside the shop and enjoyed my ice cream. The only thing that was drawback was that my dessert cost me $9.50 which is a lot.

***Quick Service, Lots of Options, Delicious Snack*** If you're craving an Asian inspired dessert, this is a place I would recommend checking out. It's very filling and you can choose different customized options or build your own dessert. Service is very quick. It's definitely a grab and go place.

Not just a pretty picture, tasty as well! Got the "Beach, Please" and the ice cream was really good as well as the cone - I usually don't really like cups/cones of ice cream, but this complimented the ice cream nicely.

Set up as a discrete hole in the wall, we almost walked right past it. This is just in these hot summer New York days! The famous taiyaki ice cream set up a new store in Chinatown (shocked there wasn't already one here). The inside is nothing special, there's a bench along the wall but otherwise it's very bare bones. Nonetheless, the whimsical ice cream was just as delicious as its other locations. The first time I had taiyaki was in Boston seaport and I became instantly obsessed, so you can imagine my excitement when I saw they opened one in lower manhattan! This time I balled out and ordered a red bean fish cone (you can get red bean or custard filled cone it's like a filled waffle yum). The Ice cream I got was this delicious black sesame and matcha swirled goodness. My friend liked the matcha better which is shocking because she doesn't even like matcha normally but I loved the black sesame. It paired perfect with the strawberry drizzle and coconut flakes on top. And of course, the mochi on the side is a great snack pairing. There was no line when I got there so my order was ready in a minute.

A hole-in-the-wall spot serving up delicious soft serve with traditional taiyaki -- the soft serve was SO good, especially recommend the matcha flavor. It wasn't too sweet and the taiyaki had a great crunch while being soft on the inside. I loved the drizzles and toppings -- recommend getting the strawberry drizzle and sprinkles. This is definitely an on-the-go spot, since there isn't much seating indoors. I'll be back soon!

There was a really long line when we arrived and we wanted the pancakes but they were out, the taiyakis were perfectly delicious though.

Matcha is one of my favorite ice cream flavors so I had to try this. I got the Matcha (green tea) & hojicha (roasted matcha) ice cream red bean taiyaki cone, rainbow mochi. Definitely pricy for ice cream but was still good. 4/5.

I was craving for ice cream and something sweet and Taiyaki NYC was the perfect place! Based on how popular this dessert shop was when I came, I'm sure lots of taiyaki and ice cream lovers would agree with me. There's a selection of flavors to choose from and I knew I had to try their matcha and hojicha soft serve combo, the matcha and roasted matcha complimented each other so well. I built my own cone and ordered the taiyaki with custard filling, condensed milk, a wafer stick and graham crumbs. It was a much needed dessert and I'm happy I was as able to stop by!

Adorable soft serve ice cream shop right off the main road in Chinatown surrounded by other dessert shops. I loved their matcha soft serve, the black sesame was not as flavorful as I hoped. You can get the taiyaki cone filled with red bean or custard. The staff was really polite and my pup even got some whipped cream in a cup!

Came here around 8 pm on a weekday and it was quite empty. The matcha and sesame ice cream was good, but the flavor was a little lacking. I thought the taiyaki itself was good though. Store felt a little dusty

When visiting New York I made sure I visited the original taiyaki in NYC! It was a late Saturday night and they were still open with a line out the door . they were super efficient and moving super quick! The ice cream was delicious and so many options for filling . The color was fresh and even warm when given to us! Can't wait to come back here again!

The first time we went here was when the place was fairly new. It was in the summer at night and I wasn't happy bec the ice cream melted so fast; felt the taiyaki wasn't doing a good job holding the ice cream, even started leaking at the bottom. Was messy. Decided to try again. Weather is not too warm so was perfect. Was able to enjoy the ice cream while walking, without rushing to finish. Mine was the Matcha hojicha swirl from the preset menu but I changed to custard taiyaki, instead of red bean. With a good amount of ice cream for one person. After done with it, I got to enjoy the taiyaki- stayed crispy on top, wished for more custard inside bec it was good. Had a chocolate wafer stick (liked that) and Rainbow mochi (would have preferred a different topping but not into the other ones). My son got a build your own - a custard taiyaki withvanilla ice cream, caramel sauce which made his melt faster and the cotton candy sprinkles to slide down (so he had to eat quickly at first), and rainbow mochi. Location is within a block from Canal St., 4 blocks from Broadway. Only a ledge to sit on indoors (for 2-3 people only) so be prepared to eat outside.

So good! Got #2 the chocolate dessert. So good! The fish cake cone was warm and delicious with red bean. Can't wait to come back! We also came in late 9pm and they were friendly and kind. Thank you to their team!

The service was fast. So many options to choose from. This ice cream was so delicious and creamy. We all got a variety of flavors. We chose the fish cones with custard. I did wish there were more areas for seating.

Very good, reasonably quick, nice waitstaff. I had the Straight Outta Japan which was their Taoyaki Cone with red bean paste with matcha (1/2) and black sesame (1/2) ice cream. It was very yummy. Note: There may not be enough room to eat inside, so keep that in mind in a hot or rainy weather day. You may have to weather the elements.

I totally didn't expect this to be one of my favorite desserts in NYC, but it was! I thought the whole concept was a little gimmicky/people liked it for the novelty, but the ice cream here (I got mango and strawberry) is DELICIOUS. Ended up going to another location for a goodbye meeting with my friend who was moving away. Highly recommend!

I really enjoy the treats at Taiyaki. They're delicious, cute, and worth the cost. The staff is sweet but some needs a little more training.

I just stopped in here a lil while ago to finally try their chocolate taiyaki and I have to say it was pretty awesome!! It came with one of those piroulette cookies added in..delicious!!. The taiyaki itself was amazing though!!. I can't wait to come back and try the other flavors!.

Taiyaki NYC nails it on their soft serve -- it is EXCELLENT. Creamy, just flavorful enough, not too sweet. The taiyaki fish cone could use a little improvement -- it was a bit too thin/crunchy at the top and had more of a pancake-like texture at the bottom. (I'm a big SomiSomi fan, so I'm comparing this filled cone to theirs.) You can just get the soft serve in a cup with no cone (and it cost less), so if you're in the mood for just get soft serve Taiyaki is a great option. I'd give the soft serve a 5 and the cone a 3, so overall I'm rating Taiyaki NYC 4.

TLDR: Standard ice cream, unique topping flavors, pancake battered fish shaped cone, and picturesque shape! Quick service and a great spot for a quick sweet treat. Highly recommend condensed milk as a topping - ask for extra if you can :) Taiyaki NYC's fish-shaped waffles are definitely Instagram-worthy, but be prepared for a tight squeeze and standing room only. My $8 vanilla with Oreos, condensed milk, and custard filled Taiyaki cone tasted overall pretty good - like regular ice cream with fun toppings, not extremely mind-blowing. If you're craving the hype and aesthetic instagram pictures, go for it!

I have been here multiple times. The idea is very cute. They have a selection of ice creams. Green tea is typically on point and very creamy. On this occasion I had the souffle pancakes, which I have had before. I decided to forgo the whipped cream and powdered sugar. The pancake itself is indeed very fluffy, but sans the accoutrements, I think that it is nothing special, especially for $11 with tax. My husband shattered the glass when he said it is basically a Kam Hing Sponge Cake! I guess that is true when you take away all the sugar and the dressings. Probably the allure of the souffle pancake is the additions and getting to sit to eat it. I will probably not get this again, but would return for ice cream and the little fishes.

Probably one of the best ice cream shops in NYC that I have tried! They have 7 signature options you can choose from, or you can create your own- If you're indecisive like me, it's best to choose from one of their signatures. [Food: 5 of 5] #2 The Choco - Lit: I love chocolate anything, and their chocolate ice cream was rich and delicious. The price is not bad for the quality and amount you are getting, the taiyaki cone is made fresh to order (so it does take a little bit for your order to be ready, but it's definitely worth it)! My friends and I came here after eating a big lunch and we all wanted our own cone (because we're greedy like that) and honestly it was just too much for us, it was a lot and we definitely could have shared one. But i'm glad we all got different ones because then we got to try several different flavors. DEFINITELY CHECK OUT TAIYAKI NYC IF YOURE IN CHINA TOWN!

A MUST GO! Best ice cream in the city. No matter what season it may be, Taiyaki is a top spot fro ice cream lovers. They need to come back to Miami. 5 stars for Teriyaki NYC Food: 5 Stars The ice cream is soft served on a delicious soft baked cone. I mean what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, how about chocolate drizzle and a wafer cookie to top it off. I went with a classic vanilla option and was so good that we went back for seconds and tried the Matcha flavor. Both were very good with Vanilla being my top choice. Service: 5 Stars Very friendly upon walking in and super helpful with any questions we had. They were even nice enough to provide samples to a few flavors before we committed to a choice. Ambiance: 4 Stars The ambiance is a typical ice cream shop. It is a very small location with a few seats but you're not coming here for ambiance. The best seat in the house is actually a step outside on the streets of NYC. Its on a side street which isn't necessarily busy so you can take some awesome pictures with your delicious ice cream cones.

Came here with a couple of friends on a Sunday night. It was pretty crowded inside because the interior is so small but I'm glad we stopped by because the line went super fast. We each got different flavors: pumpkin spice, mango, vanilla, and hojicha/matcha swirl. The flavors were bold and the ice cream was super creamy. I loved the matcha/hojicha swirl. A perfect flavor for fall with the nutty, umami flavor of the hojicha complemented by the sweet/slightly bitter matcha. The red bean on the bottom of the taiyaki was also delicious. My only critique is the taiyakis themselves could be a lot crispier. Overall I'd rate a 4.5, only because these were so expensive. Nearly $9 each ‍

Incredible, amazing, spectacular, the reason for my happiness, etc. Came here after dinner on a weekday night and was very lucky that there wasn't much of a line. I ordered the Matcha and Hojicha ice cream in a red bean taiyaki and it was absolutely to die for. The hojicha was so full of that roasted flavor which went well with its extremely creamy texture. The creamy-ness of the ice cream also wasn't too heavy like the ice cream at a lot of other Western ice cream shop. It was light and flavorful like the ones what you would get in Japan. The matcha was also so tasty too as it had the consistency and flavor profile of the most natural and true essential flavor of matcha, I'm not sure how else to describe it. I absolutely loved the ice cream so much. And at the end when the ice cream melted into the slightly warm taiyaki and the red bean paste - I genuinely couldn't think of a better combination. This Taiyaki is what dreams are made of. Why do we get $8 scoop of Van Leeuwen when we can eat this? I will say that if you customize it, it is slightly more expensive than if you get their set menu items because you don't get some of the toppings, but I do think it's worth it to customize it. Next time I think I'll just get the hojicha. I'm already dreaming about coming back!

Matcha!!!! I love matcha! They have a great variety of flavors!!! Ice cream is not overly sweet and looks very cute! Although a bit pricey, I will recommend anyone who wants a taste of Japanese desserts to come to this place to get a taste of matcha ice cream!!!

They are so generous! Giving free huge delicious sundaes on ice cream day! I got the caramel dulce with the waffle fish. Excellent. Thank you for a fantastic treat and time! These portions are huge. And previously when I came here, I loved getting a unicorn Sundae on a fish! I love how they make treats that are so cute and make people so happy.

I am not usually an ice cream gal but I enjoyed their desserts. I got the strawberry mango ice cream. I loved having two different flavors to alternate between. They placed black pink music while I was in the store. They don't have much seating here so it's really more of a grab-and-go place. The decals on the wall make for a great Instagram story. I'd recommend it!

So glad I finally tried this spot!! Was actually on my way to another ice cream place when we walked by. I ordered the matcha & hojicha taiyaki & oh. my. god. The soft serve was perfectly thick, creamy, & super flavorful. The taiyaki was filled with red bean, which could have been a bit sweeter, but it's fine overall. I also wish the taiyaki were a mochi base rather than a pancake or waffle, but it didn't fall apart at all. I really enjoyed this & it was a great ending to my birthday!

1/1 Ambience; 1/2 Food; 1/1 Service; 0.5/1 Value I finally stopped by after years of seeing the hype on social media. The joint is small and there was a line, but the staff is very fast without compromising quality or friendliness. I got the #1 Classic while my friend got a custom in a taiyaki cone as well. If an ice cream place has a good vanilla, I take it as a good sign and The Classic delivered on this front. It was satisfying and the toppings were balanced. However, the taiyaki didn't have a distinctive flavor setting it apart from other cones except for the fact it's shaped like a cute fish. It's a fine experience for sure, but I don't think the $9 (after tax) price tag justifies the portion.

I've been here numerous times but this was my first time trying out their Straight Outta Japan ice cream combination of matcha and black sesame ice cream. It's definitely a great combo, not too sweet and the texture is so smooth and satisfying.

Decided to give this place a try on a whim while looking for a dessert place near Chinatown. It was super busy with a line out the door but it moved super quick because they had a good amount of staff helping out! I was just feeling plain chocolate so that's what I got with the custard filling in the cone (you pick custard or red bean filling). I wasn't sure how I would like it but it was subtle and the fish cone was absolutely delicious!! The soft serve was also some of the best I've had, super creamy and flavorful. My brother got one of the specials and it was so cute and he loved it as well! They had other really cool treats like mochi donuts as well! Definitely recommend giving it a try!

I was so excited to try this japanese ice cream shop. They have 7 signature options you can choose from, or you can create your own- If you're indecisive like me, it's best to choose from one of their signatures. I got the chocolate flavor, and their chocolate ice cream was rich and delicious. The price is not bad for the quality and amount you are getting, the taiyaki cone is made fresh to order. Service is great, everyone is nice and the ambiance of the shop is small and cute.

We had the Matcha/Hojicha Ice Cream in a cup and had a bit of our friend's Mango ice cream. All the flavors were fresh and subtle, which we really liked. We hoped to try it in the taiyaki but unfortunately it was sold out for the night, which was understandable. However, it was still enjoyable as is and the Rilakkuma cup was so cute.

This place is great spot for a summer time treat! Pros: + Ice cream just to pretty to eat + Great flavor combos + Seasonally changed - my favorites are mango in the summer + Set ice cream combos that can be customizable Cons: - Can get a little pricey - Little to no seating inside. IG: QueenOfAdventuerNYC

5/5 food: the ice cream not too sweet, soft and creamy. Very freaking in the summer. 4/5 location: the store is small and it tend to get busy so the wait is about 15-20 mins.

Not a huge fan for what it's worth. Came here for dessert 45 mins before they were closing and they weren't making anymore of the taiyaki so I opted for the soft serve matcha ice cream. I didn't think it was particularly good compared to other places I've been to and there were no red bean toppings. Not sure if I'd come back here again.

It's too expensive for soft ice cream 9$ and the waffle is not worse that price not recommended

The perfect dessert to have after a heavy meal. The matcha flavor was prominent and it was soo smooth. The taiyaki was warm with the creamy custard filling. Definitely satisfied my sweet tooth!

Taiyaki is one of my go to shops in Chinatown for desserts because of how convenient it is and that it is opened later than many other stores. It is well priced and the flavors are really good. They are consistently trying new things! My favorite are definitely the matcha and hojicha swirl and the mango and strawberry swirl in the fish cone. It is huge and always makes me super full by the end. I also really enjoy the new mini mochi taiyaki that comes with a cream on the side. It is super filling and the dip is really good with it. The service is quick but there is not much seating inside. I definitely would go back to enjoy it again!

Can always count on Taiyaki for a cold treat in the most humid of summer days. Thank goodness for AC and a mostly empty shop I was able to enjoy it while getting a much needed retreat out the sun. The staff is always courteous and helpful. The matcha is a great flavor although most recently I got the classic custard and was so happy with my choice. The mashed up Oreos are a fun treat and would likely become my go-to!

Very yummy ice cream soft serve served in a taiyaki cone! We got the green tea and hojicha ice cream twist (the "Straight from Japan" cone) and it was delicious! Been here before 5 years ago but they now have very fluffy japanese pancakes, but they wouldve been a 30 min wait so we skipped it. It's a nice but small area you can enjoy your dessert in but it could use some tables and more space to avoid crowding.

Found this spot on yelp when looking for the best ice cream in New York and knew I had to go when I saw that they served soufflé pancakes but only on the weekends. I came in on Saturday and was ready for the ice cream and pancakes but the pancakes were going to take 40 minutes to be ready and sadly I didn't have the time for that so I just settled for the ice cream. I got the classic taiyaki ($8.27) and it was decent. The design and look of the item was cool and interesting but the taste wasn't anything special for me and the item was smaller than expected. I would be open to returning just so that I can try the soufflé pancakes but that's the only reason.

My review is based solely on the 2 flavours I ordered and I don't enjoy them. Perhaps there are other flavours that are good, but definitely not these 2! ~ Matcha soft serve w/ Taiyaki cone, strawberry drizzle, rainbow mochi (2/5) ~ Barely any matcha flavour. Strawberry drizzel tasted chemical. Rainbow mochi is bad too. Way too overpriced as there are no premium ingredients at all. The taiyaki cone is not bad, so 1 point is given to the cone lol Go to Maiko Matcha Cafe if you want a real matcha soft serve with similar price!! ~ Hojicha soft serve (1/5) ~ Well I thought they gave me the wrong thing, because I can't taste any hojicha. In fact I don't even know what I am tasting, like I am not tasting milk, I am not tasting the tea, so I don't know what this is. Horrible. Will I come back? NO Forgive my brutal review, but I am a huge matcha and hojicha lover, and these are just so bland and barely any tea flavour. So no will not be back.

Came here on national ice cream day because I saw there was a deal for today on their instagram page. They didn't advertise it in the store and some of the workers were also very confused when I asked about the deal. That issue got fixed very quickly though and we were able to get two ice cream cup for $9. Each ice cream came with a sauce and two toppings. I didn't want to make the ice cream too sweet so I just got the hojicha ice cream without the sauce and sprinkles and rainbow mochi as my toppings, and my boyfriend got chocolate ice cream with Oreo. The hojicha flavor was relatively weak and the ice cream was too sweet for me. The toppings that my boyfriend got also didn't look like Oreo and looked more like some other chocolate cookie crumbs? Overall, I was a little disappointed by their ice cream. I've been here in the past and their ice cream used to taste better and with much stronger tea flavor. With so many new matcha/asian-inspired flavors ice cream place popping up, I don't think I will come back again.