In April 2013, a sad news ran around the country. The Haagen-Dazs Shin-Urayasu store has closed . As a result, all Haagen-Dazs stores that can be eaten in have disappeared from Japan. Even if you can buy products at retail stores or online, you can no longer enjoy the limited flavors and arranged menus that are unique to eat-in.
However, there is still a way to go. Go abroad, yes, to the country where the Haagen-Dazs store is located! One of them is South Korea, the country of "neighborhood". It takes about two and a half hours to fly from Tokyo. I visited a store in Seoul. Well, what kind of ice cream is there?
A "Korean-Western eclectic" that is not a Japanese-Western eclectic?
A "Korean-Western eclectic" that is not a Japanese-Western eclectic?
This time, I visited a store in Samcheong-dong, which is popular as a fashionable spot in Seoul. Following the streets lined with cafes and general stores, we arrived at the Haagen-Dazs store, which has an impressive metallic exterior wall.
The metallic outer wall is stylish
The metallic outer wall is stylish
The inside of the store has a bright and spacious atmosphere with lots of light coming in through the windows. Magazines and rugs are also available, so you can feel the consideration for spending time slowly. When the weather is nice, it seems fun to sit on the terrace and watch the passers-by.
Bright and spacious interior
Bright and spacious interior

A cute lap that makes you want to use it even if it's not cold
A cute lap that makes you want to use it even if it's not cold
The menu you are interested in is also written in English, so you can rest assured. There are 20 flavors of ice cream, and it seems that there are some flavors that are not found in Japan. But what caught my eye was the Korean menu "Pins (Korean version of shaved ice)"! There are many variations such as "vanilla", "green tea", "classic", "chocolate" and "berry". After hesitation, I chose the most colorful classic. Bingsu is a "must-eat" dessert when traveling to Korea. What does it taste like when combined with Haagen-Dazs ice cream?
20 flavors of ice cream
20 flavors of ice cream

Vanilla Bingsu and Green Tea Bingsu
Vanilla Bingsu and Green Tea Bingsu

Classic pins and chocolate pins
Classic pins and chocolate pins

Very Pins
Very Pins
After waiting for about 10 minutes, the ordered item was delivered. A large glass bowl is covered with plenty of ice cream, strawberry ice cream, red bean paste, bananas, kiwi, oranges, rice cakes, soybean flour, raspberries, chocolate, condensed milk, and raspberry sauce. The shaved ice "Shirokuma" from Kagoshima is as gorgeous as this! ?? Now, what about the taste?
"Shirokuma" is also amazingly gorgeous!
"Shirokuma" is also amazingly gorgeous!
When you put the coarsely crushed ice in your mouth, it goes well with the toppings to give it a smooth texture. The rich sweetness of red bean paste and condensed milk is softened by the refreshing acidity of the fruit. Strawberry ice cream is of course delicious as expected. Furthermore, the toppings are hidden not only on the surface but also inside, so I enjoyed the luxurious taste until the end. The amount can be divided by 2 or 3 people, so I am satisfied with the price of 12,000 won (about 1,000 yen).
By the way, it's not just Pins that should be noted in this shop. The arranged menus such as cakes and crepes on the menu table are all as beautiful as a photo book. I envy the soul kid who can eat such a gorgeous dessert anytime! The end of the store business in Japan will be missed again.
A beautiful menu table that makes you want to take it home
A beautiful menu table that makes you want to take it home



A Korean Haagen-Dazs restaurant that is loved by locals and tourists for its beautiful presentation and authentic taste. However, I don't know what will happen in the long term. Even in Japan, the Haagen-Dazs store is closed due to management judgment, despite its deep-rooted popularity.
"When are you going to Korea? Now!"
So why not travel to Korea this summer and enjoy the gorgeous Haagen-Dazs menu? In addition to traditional dishes such as yakiniku and jjigae, it will be a memorable taste unique to the area.
It was crowded until late at night
It was crowded until late at night
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* The menus and prices listed are as of July 2013.