Takitimu 24 Phan Dinh Phung, Ba Dinh, Hanoi Mango and Raspberry Price: VND29,000 / cone The surprise of the day, Takitimu was opened by a local couple inspired by a concept they discovered in New Zealand. Whole pieces of frozen fruit are blended with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and turned into fruity soft-serve ice cream. “It’s so fresh, and you can see it being made in front of you,” says Zoe, as chunks of mango are carefully shovelled into the specially designed machine. Our chosen combination of flavours is just one of many possible varieties; with 12 ingredients to choose from, and only an extra VND5,000 to mix two flavours, there are dozens of possibilities. “This is sexy ice cream,” gushes Thanh, with eyes closed and tongue lapping furiously inside the housemade cone. “It’s fresh, so soft, with a deep flavour, but not too heavy.” “It’s so creamy, and has really natural textures,” adds Sheereen. “It’s been the best overall experience. It’s interactive, intimate and straightforward.” Scores: Flavour: 9.75 Texture: 9.75 Presentation: 6 Consistency: 10 Wow Factor: 10
Gelato Italia 31 To Ngoc Van, Tay Ho, Hanoi Yoghurt Blueberry and Passionfruit Price: VND75,000 / 2 scoops Gelato is not ice cream. With that little factoid out of the way, and the judges shaking slightly with the sugar-jitters, on to the scoops. “I’m so over-sugared now, but the flavour of this is just so good,” says Thanh, soldiering on. First up is the yoghurt blueberry, a very creamy, vividly-coloured sphere of milk and yoghurt-based gelato. It’s packed with flavour, and was only recently added to the menu once good enough blueberries could be secured. “That’s the best ice cream we’ve had,” says Sheereen. To balance it out, the second scoop, passionfruit, contains no milk; it’s just fruit, sugar and water. Somehow, it’s still just as creamy. “It’s very zesty, but so sweet at the same time,” says Zoe, as she inhales the last of the passionfruit. The smoothness and consistency of the gelato has all the judges bowled over, but is it better than Takitimu? We’re not sure. Scores: Flavour: 9 Texture: 10 Presentation: 5.75 Consistency: 10 Wow Factor: 7.75
wordvietnam.com | June 2017 Word | 75