Ice cream has received a prestigious upgrade with the rise of Minimal, the world’s first ice cream restaurant to earn a Michelin star. Founded in 2021 by pastry chef and ice cream enthusiast Arvin Wan, Minimal is located in Taichung, Taiwan. In 2023, the restaurant earned a Bib Gourmand award from Michelin, recognizing establishments that offer good food at moderate prices. This year, in the 2024 Michelin Guide to Taiwan, Minimal achieved the highly coveted Michelin star.
While upscale restaurants have long featured ice cream sandwiches, nothing compares to the innovation seen at Minimal. The restaurant offers a unique, ever-evolving tasting menu, with dishes served at varying temperatures. The menu includes everything from hot courses to a pastry paired with gelato, along with a variety of ice creams, gelatos, and lollipops.
One standout is the cherry blossom and sake lollipop, served at an astonishing -40°C. Its crunchy, airy texture melts away like cotton candy. Another showstopper is a dish served at a chilling -196°C, featuring tiny balls of lactic acid, pink peppercorn strawberry, and roselle perilla, reminiscent of Dippin’ Dots. For those in a hurry, Minimal also operates a takeaway shop on the ground floor, offering a range of unique and seasonal ice creams.
With its boundary-pushing creations, Minimal has redefined the world of gourmet ice cream.
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