18 Types of Ice Cream in Japanese

Japan is world-renowned for its rich and diverse culinary culture, and ice creams are no exception. With a variety of unique flavors and intriguing textures, Japanese ice creams are an experience that everyone should try. In this article, we will explore different words and types of ice creams in Japanese and their respective descriptions, divided into three sub-topics: Soft Cream, Mochi Aisu, and Kakigōri.

How do you say Ice Cream in Japanese?

The word “ice cream” in Japanese is アイスクリーム (Aisukurīmu). This word is a phonetic transliteration of the English “ice cream” into the Japanese katakana alphabet, which is used to write foreign words.

Now let’s take a closer look at Japanese words that categorize ice creams in Japan:

アイスクリーム (aisu kurīmu) – This is the Japanese term for ice cream. It is a word used to refer to all types of ice cream, including milk ice cream, fruit ice cream, and ice cream with toppings.

氷菓子 (Hyōgashi) – It can be literally translated as “frozen sweet.” Used more generally to refer to any frozen or icy sweets, and not just specifically to ice cream.

ソフトクリーム (sofuto kurīmu) – This is soft ice cream or soft serve in Japanese. It is a type of ice cream that is served in a cone or cup and is known for its smooth and creamy texture.

あんみつ (anmitsu) – This is not exactly an ice cream, but a traditional Japanese dessert that often includes ice cream as one of the ingredients. Anmitsu is a dessert bowl with small cubes of agar jelly, a variety of fruits, and a sweet syrup. Sometimes, ice cream is added on top to complete the dessert.

シャーベット (shābetto) – Sherbet is a type of frozen dessert made with fruit juice, sugar, and water. It is less creamy than ice cream and has a more granular texture. Popular sherbet flavors include lemon, raspberry, strawberry, and orange.

ガリガリ君 (garigari-kun) – Garigari-kun is a type of ice cream on a stick that is very popular in Japan. It is made with concentrated fruit syrup and water, and has a granular texture similar to sherbet. Popular flavors include lemon, grape, watermelon, and orange.

Other types of ice cream we will see in more detail below and also in another list of words at the end of the article.

Soft Cream (ソフトクリーム)

Soft Cream is the Japanese version of cone ice cream, a frozen dairy product with a smooth and creamy texture. This ice cream is extremely popular in Japan and can be found in convenience stores, theme parks, and fairs. There is a wide variety of flavors available, from classic vanilla and chocolate to more exotic ones like matcha (green tea) and sakura (cherry blossom).

Soft Cream is often served in traditional cones, but can also be found in cups, ice cream sandwiches, and other formats. A distinctive feature of this ice cream is that, instead of being served in scoops, it is twisted into a spiral shape, providing an attractive and inviting appearance.

The flavors of Soft Cream vary according to the region of Japan, with some areas offering specific flavors, such as Kyoho grape in Yamanashi or squid in northern Hokkaido. Trying the different flavors of Soft Cream while traveling through Japan is a fun and delicious way to explore the culture and cuisine of the country.

We also recommend reading: Foods in Japanese – List of Words and Vocabulary

Mochi Aisu (餅アイス)

Mochi Aisu, or mochi ice cream, is a Japanese dessert that combines traditional mochi (a glutinous rice cake) with ice cream. The mochi is made from ground and cooked glutinous rice, creating an elastic and sticky texture that wraps around a ball of ice cream.

The flavors of Mochi Aisu are as diverse as those of Soft Cream, with options ranging from traditional matcha and anko (sweet red bean paste) to more Western flavors like vanilla and strawberry. The contrast between the smooth and creamy texture of the ice cream and the sticky and chewy texture of the mochi is what makes Mochi Aisu a unique and delicious dessert.

Mochi Aisu is usually served in individual portions and can be found in supermarkets, convenience stores, and fairs. This dessert is also a common item on special occasions and Japanese festivals, such as New Year and the Star Festival (Tanabata).

Also read: Mochi – All about the Japanese rice sweet

Kakigōri (かき氷)

Kakigori is a Japanese summer dessert made of shaved ice topped with flavored syrups and sometimes additional toppings. Similar to a snow cone or shaved ice, Kakigōri offers a refreshing and delicious experience during the hot summer months.

The flavors of Kakigōri range from traditional ones, such as matcha and uji kintoki (sweet red beans), to more contemporary and fruity options like melon, strawberry, and lemon. Additional toppings may include condensed milk, mochi, fresh fruits, or even whipped cream. The shaved ice is usually served in a cup or bowl and is consumed with a spoon or stick.

Kakigōri can be found in many establishments, from street stalls and specialty shops to cafes and restaurants. During summer festivals, it is common to see long lines of people waiting to enjoy this colorful and cold dessert.

Also read: Kakigori – かき氷 – Japanese Shaved Ice

Types of Ice Creams in Japanese

In addition to the words covered above, here are other words related to ice creams, flavors, and categories of frozen products in Japanese:

1. 黒ごまアイスクリーム (kurogoma aisu kurīmu) – This is a type of black sesame seed ice cream. It is made with roasted black sesame seeds and has a unique and slightly salty flavor.
2. 抹茶アイスクリーム (matcha aisu kurīmu) – This is a type of green tea ice cream. It is made with powdered green tea, known as matcha, and has a distinct and slightly bitter flavor.
3. ミルク (miruku) – This is the Japanese term for milk. Milk ice creams are very popular in Japan and usually have a smooth and creamy flavor.
4. フルーツ (furūtsu) – This is the Japanese term for fruits. Fruit ice creams are popular in Japan, and flavors include orange, strawberry, mango, and kiwi.
5. モナカアイス (monaka aisū) – This is a type of Japanese ice cream made with a crispy wafer called monaka and filled with ice cream. The filling can be of various flavors, including green tea, sweet azuki beans, and vanilla.
6. ラムネアイス (ramune aisū) – This is an ice cream that has the flavor of a Japanese drink called Ramune, which is a carbonated lemon-flavored drink. The ice cream has a refreshing and fizzy taste.
7. ゆずアイスクリーム (yuzu aisukurīmu) – This is a citrus ice cream made with yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit that has a flavor similar to lemon and grapefruit. The ice cream has a refreshing and slightly tangy taste.
8. 金時アイス (kinshi aisū) – This is an ice cream made from a Japanese sweet potato called “Satsuma-imo” that is cooked and then pureed. The ice cream has a sweet and earthy flavor that is unique.
9. たいやきアイス (taiyaki aisū) – Taiyaki is a type of Japanese sweet made from cake batter shaped like a fish and filled with sweet beans, chocolate, or other fillings. Taiyaki ice cream is served inside the warm fish batter, adding an interesting contrast of textures between the cold ice cream and the warm, crispy batter.
10. ジェラート (jerāto) – Gelato is an Italian version of ice cream. It is denser and creamier than American ice cream because it has less air incorporated during the freezing process. The most popular gelato flavors in Japan include pistachio, chocolate, cream, caramel, and fresh fruits.
11. ムース (mūsu) – Mousse is a type of frozen dessert made with cream and whipped egg whites. It is lighter and airier than ice cream and is usually served in individual cups. Popular mousse flavors include chocolate, coffee, strawberry, and mango.
12. パフェ (pafe) – Parfait is a type of Japanese dessert that consists of layers of ice cream, fruits, whipped cream, sweet syrup, and other ingredients. It is usually served in a tall glass and decorated with a cream topping and a cherry. Popular parfait flavors include chocolate, caramel, banana, and kiwi.