In Japan, convenience stores are dominated by the “big three”: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson. However, Ministop has carved a niche for itself by offering the best soft serve ice cream available in any convenience store in Japan.
Ministop’s ice cream is so popular that the company has launched a chain of ice cream parlors called Minisof by Ministop, which focus solely on ice cream and omit the convenience store aspect.
Reporter Seiji Nakazawa recently discovered Minisof and their unique offering: “Drinkable Soft Serve Ice Cream,” listed on the menu as のむソフトクリーム.
Curious, Seiji decided to sample this innovative dessert. Priced at 590 yen, the menu offers several flavors, including strawberry, cookies and cream, and tiramisu. Seiji opted for the Super Milk (Cho Milk in Japanese).
The Super Milk resembles a large cup filled with ice cream, topped with a swirl of condensed milk. Contrary to appearances, the entire cup is filled with creamy vanilla ice cream, making it a visually delightful treat.
Seiji initially doubted the drinkability of this dessert. However, to his surprise, the ice cream’s soft texture allowed it to flow smoothly through a straw, delivering a rich, sweet flavor directly to his taste buds. This innovative approach to soft serve ice cream left Seiji convinced of its potential as a beverage.
The only drawback is the limited availability of Drinkable Soft Serve Ice Cream, which can only be found at Minisof branches. Currently, there is one branch in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro neighborhood, with additional locations in Kawasaki and Yokohama. Despite this, the Super Milk Drinkable Soft Serve Ice Cream is worth the trip for dessert enthusiasts.
