Vegan Ice Cream Sold at Japanese Convenience Store and Supermarket!
News Vegan Ice Cream
Recently, vegan ice cream has become available even at convenience stores and supermarkets in Japan.
Although there are still a few stores that sell vegan ice creams, there are still a few specific stores where you can buy vegan ice cream.
Here I would like to introduce four vegan ice creams available at Japanese convenience stores and supermarkets, including one that I actually bought myself.
COOLish Green
COOLish is a famous ice cream that has been around for a long time!
This plant-based COOLish Green Vanilla was launched in March 2022.
In addition, a strawberry flavor was also launched in March 2023.
Both of these ice creams are made with plant-based milk derived from soybeans and peas.
I went to Somen Sososo (Somen Restaurant) in Shibuya the other day and ordered this COOLish Green as part of the set menu.
I also happened to find it at Maruetsu (supermarket), so I bought it.
The taste was rich and creamy, very tasty.
I know some people don’t like the unique taste and smell of soy, but I felt that this COOLish Green was made with the unique taste and smell of soy under control.
By the way, none of the usual convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart sell it.
So far, I have only been able to find this ice cream at Maruetsu.
If you are in an Aeon-affiliated supermarket, you might be able to find it there.
Ice no Mi (Almond Milk Flavor)
Ice no Mi (bite-sized round sherbet balls) have also been a popular ice cream for a long time.
I have fond memories of buying and eating it myself as a child.
This Ice no Mi started selling a Strong Almond Milk flavor in March 2022.
It went on sale just about the same time as COOLish Green.
As the name of its flavor suggests, this ice cream is made from almond milk, a plant-based milk.
This ice cream also provides vitamin E and dietary fiber.
I actually bought and tried it the other day and enjoyed the smooth almond milk flavor!
It had been a while since I had had Ice no Mi and I felt nostalgic.
I bought it at Maruetsu, but according to other reviewers who have purchased it, it is also available at Lawson (convenience store).
COCONUT GLEN’S
Source of Image : Coconut Glen’s
Coconut Glen’s is a store selling vegan ice cream born in Hawaii.
There are actual stores in Ikebukuro, Asakusa, and Azabu-juban.
I visited Coconut Glen in Ikebukuro the other day myself.
Coconut Glen’s ice cream is not only vegan but also free of emulsifiers, colors, stabilizers, flavors, and preservatives.
In addition, the ice cream is made with organic ingredients, mainly organic coconut cream.
I had the 3 flavors: Pistachio, Rum Raisin & Banana, and Original, and each ice cream was very tasty.
Coconut Glen ice cream is sold at Natural Lawson (convenience store) in two flavors: coconut and vanilla & almond.
Otona no Soy
Source of Image : Kracie
Otona no Soy Rum Raisin and Chocolat Orange also started selling last year in March 2022.
Did companies consult with each other and start selling vegan ice cream all together in March 2022?
Otona no Soy is also available in other flavors: vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate.
All of these ice creams are made with a soy milk ice cream base.
They say that the rum raisin ice cream has a strong alcoholic flavor and a mellow dark rum aroma.
Word on the street is that it was sold at Beisia (supermarket).
Summary
Although there are still very few vegan ice cream products available in Japan, at least the above four ice creams can be purchased at certain convenience stores and supermarkets.
All of the ice creams introduced above were tasty and hard to believe that they were made only from plants.
The only one I have not tried yet is Otona no Soy, which I would like to purchase the next time I see it.
If these ice creams sell well, the Japanese vegan ice cream market may expand rapidly.
I would be very happy if vegan ice cream becomes readily available at convenience stores and supermarkets here in Japan!
