Is rolled ice cream really that magical? Short answer: heck yes! Thanks to ice cream fans everywhere, it wasn't long before we heard about 10Below Ice Cream, a cozy little spot in New York City that serves Thai-inspired rolled ice cream. The frozen sweet has taken the dessert world by storm, and it's not hard to understand why.
All the ice cream is made in house with the freshest ingredients, there's no limit to how many toppings you can pile on, and the dessert is totally Instagram worthy (the hashtag, #10Below, has 3,000+ posts and counting). So, when I had the chance to taste the ice cream for myself and receive insider tips from one of the owners, Richard Tam, my sweet tooth couldn't resist. Here's what happened when I traveled to Chinatown to try this mesmerizing ice cream trend.
The Journey
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I arrived bright and early at 11a.m. with a fully prepped stomach (i.e. I didn't eat breakfast so I could make room for ice cream). The store itself is located below street level, but you'll never miss it because of the infamous long lines!
Insider tip: To avoid the crowd, the best time to go is weekdays before 5 p.m., when the wait is from 10 to 15 minutes. "Weekends get crazy," Richard said. "Especially Friday, Saturday, and Sundays."
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The Menu
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I chose my flavors from the menu behind the counter and stuck to the original recipe for the most part. However, you can switch out and add in any extra toppings for free.
Insider tip: The three most popular picks are Strawberry Shawty, S’mores Galore, and Matcha Made in Heaven. For Fall, Richard’s team will be busy creating new flavors like pumpkin spice, apple cinnamon, and sweet potato.
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My Order
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I ordered a Strawberry Shawty and Honey Boo Boo. The Strawberry Shawty is made with strawberries and graham crackers and I topped it off with my choice of raspberries and coconut shavings. The taste was similar to a strawberry shortcake and the coconut gave the whole dessert an extra kick.
I have to admit, I ordered the Honey Boo Boo next solely because of the name and I was excited for the mixture of blueberry, raspberry, and honey. The moment I took my first bite of Honey Boo Boo, I noticed how fresh it really was. I could taste the sweetness of the fruits and the flavors all combined into one creamy texture that instantly dissolved in my mouth. The fruit really balanced out the creaminess of the ice cream.
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Bird's-Eye View
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Insider tip: Just like how McDonald’s and Starbucks has a secret menu, so does 10Below! “Sometimes we’ll have flavors we’re working on and testing out,” Richard said. “If people come in and want to try something new, just ask the cashier and hopefully we’ll have a secret flavor available. For a while we had a secret flavor that was ginger honey."
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Third Helping
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But I saved the best for last: S’mores Galore. By then, I had finished the entire cup of Honey Boo Boo and I did not regret a single moment. My stomach and soul were deliriously happy and wanted more. Enter S'mores Galore, which is made with chocolate, graham crackers, and a roasted marshmallow on top.
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Step 1
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Like all the ice cream made at 10Below, it starts with a base of crème anglaise, French for "English cream." For the s’mores version, chocolate and graham crackers are mashed and mixed in together on the electric thermo cold plate, which is kept at 10 degrees or below (hence the store name 10Below!).
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Step 2
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After the mixture is spread into a thin sheet, more chocolate drizzle is added to it. The store mascot, a whale, is added for special effect. Not pictured here: me Snapchatting and recording like a passionate foodie because this was too cool.
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Step 3
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After the chocolate whale drizzle, Richard then created that signature rolled ice cream look!
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Magical Finish
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Last but not least the most important part — a toasted marshmallow to complete the gooey, chocolatey ice cream.
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The Masterpiece
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One bite of the S'mores Galore brought me back to Summer camping trips. It had the right amount of chocolate and the roasted marshmallow added a special, fiery touch. The ice cream did melt fast, but having to consume it quickly is not a bad problem to have!
Insider tip: To make eating this even more amazing, take one of the graham crackers and scoop a little bit of ice cream onto it, then take the toasted marshmallow and squish it on top before putting the other half of the graham cracker on. You've just made a s'mores ice cream sandwich. It's a life hack we all need.
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Verdict
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After eating three different rolled ice creams, I felt the sugar kick in, which was perfect as I made my way back to the office. Who needs coffee? By far, the S'mores Galore is a must try and the coolest to watch as it is being made. For fruit-lovers and the health-conscious, I'd recommend Honey Boo Boo and the more fruit-filled options. You can't go wrong, however, with any of the flavors. The experience leading up to the first bite of ice cream is just as unforgettable. I'm already planning my next trip back — who's with me?
