Taiyaki NYC & Dough Club: Ice Cream in a Fish-Shaped Cone

While I was recently in Harvard Square, and after lunch, I checked out Taiyaki NYC and The Dough Club, an ice cream and donut shop, which started out in New York City. There are now two local locations, one in Boston (in the Seaport) and the other in Cambridge (in Harvard Square). 

The literal translation of "taiyaki" is "fried sea bream," which is considered one of the most revered types of fish. Tai-shaped pastries eventually became popular, and represent "good luck," so they are commonly given out at weddings and festivals. These pastries were often filled with red bean paste, or other fillings. 

Maybe the first mention of Taikayi in a U.S. newspaper was in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI), April 23, 1972. There was an advertisement for a Japanese store, and it offered a Tai-yaki, "fish shape mold," to make fish shape cake and noted it should be filled with azuki (bean curd). In August 1972, another ad for this shop noted they also had a confectionary and sold Tai-yaki waffles. 

Their website states: "The ice cream and taiyaki waffles at Taiyaki NYC x The Dough Club are made from high-quality ingredients from socially responsible vendors and distributors. Taiyaki's waffles are made fresh onsite, and the soft serve ice cream is produced and churned in small batches to preserve the true integrity of how a real soft serve should taste. Taiyaki NYC x The Dough Club strive to keep their customers happy and satisfied while leaving a minimal footprint on the planet."

These are all very positive aspects, which makes me intrigued about the taste of their products. 

The Menu at Taiyaki NYC offers 5 Preset Ice Creams, $8.88 each, such as the Unicorn Taiyaki and the Choco-Lit. You can also Build Your Own Ice Cream, also for $8.88 each. First, you select whether to fill the bottom of the fish cone with red bean paste or custard. Next, you can select from 8 ice cream flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, vanilla/chocolate, strawberry, matcha, hojicha, matcha/hojicha, and lemon. You can also choose an optional syrup, such as caramel, chocolate, strawberry or condensed milk. Then, you can optionally choose two free toppings, including chocolate sprinkles, cotton candy sprinkles, crushed oreos, graham crackers, rainbow mochi, rainbow sprinkles, and wafer stick. Instead of the taiyaki cone, you can opt for a cup or a regular waffle cone. 

I'll note that the #8 is considered a lucky number in Japan and China. 

I opted for the custard in my cone, and topped with Matcha/Hojicha (roasted matcha) ice cream. I didn't go for any syrups or toppings as I wanted to experience the ice cream on its own. I was impressed with the creamy ice cream, with the delightful green tea flavors and roasted notes. The taiyaki cone was fresh, crunchy and tasty, with creamy custard, and nice vanilla notes, at the bottom, enhancing the experience. I was very pleased and will definitely return again to check out more of the options.

They also sell Mochi Donuts, Butter Mochi Donuts and Cream Bombs (in various flavors). I've heard they are very tasty but I didn't try any of them on this trip. 

Although taiyaki, fish-shaped cones, might seem a gimmick, they have a long history in Japan, and over 50 years of history in the U.S. Taiyaki NYC has an impressive corporate goal of being socially responsible. And their ice cream is delicious, atop a fresh, tasty cone. I highly recommend that you check them out.