"You think you’ve seen it all, then Liu’s Creamery hands you ice cream topped with cilantro. And somehow, it works. Tucked next to daytime spot Liu’s Cafe, this low-lit spinoff feels like a speakeasy as much as it does a scoop shop, and makes for a fun and laid-back post-dinner dessert stop in Koreatown. The flavors channel Taiwanese night markets—there's honey toast, Ovaltine, ginger pear, and vanilla-y Taiwan milk—and the thick, custardy ice cream is a solid base to mix and match toppings like doubanjiang fudge, chili crisp, or cured egg yolk. The best bet is to order one of the creative, pre-set combos on the menu—though maybe avoid the Night Market Special if you have that gene that makes cilantro taste like soap. Food Rundown Night Market Special The herb-topped Night Market Special might make you do a double take, but it’s surprisingly delicious. The milky ice cream mellows out the fragrant cilantro oil, while the sesame peanut powder and fresh cilantro on top add a nutty, slightly peppery edge. Pineapple Cake As the name says, this is basically Taiwanese pineapple cake in ice cream form. A scoop of milk ice cream is layered with sweet, tangy pineapple jam, then blanketed in cookie crumbles that provide a nice crunch. photo credit: Cathy Park Traditionalist Order this one for a good ASMR session. It delivers a ton of crunch and texture from candied black sesame and peanut powder, plus jiggly grass jellies that are fun to slurp. Honey Toast If you’re opting out of toppings and want to keep your scoop simple, get the honey toast flavor. It’s subtly sweet and speckled with crackly bits of toast that taste like dessert croutons." - Cathy Park
