Pasta with strawberry sauce? 11 must-try amazing ice creams from around the world

By Rita

Ice cream is a dessert loved by people of all ages, and different countries have developed quite unique ice cream cultures under varying social and cultural conditions. Below is a list of “Ice creams from around the world”, this article selects 11 ice creams that are highly representative of their local characteristics, serving as a reference for Taiwanese ice cream lovers traveling abroad. If you have the chance to visit these countries, be sure to give them a try!

1. Italy – Gelato
Gelato is Italy’s most famous ice cream, with a wide variety of flavors. Locals love mixing different flavors in one cup.

▲ Italy – Gelato (Photo / Wikimedia)

2. Japan – Soft Serve Ice Cream Cone
This Japanese dessert is not unfamiliar to many. Although it’s only about two bites in size, it mainly consists of mochi wrapping various flavors of ice cream, with some white powder sprinkled on top.

▲ Japan – Soft Serve Ice Cream Cone (Photo / Wikimedia)

3. Argentina – Helado
If you think Italian ice cream is the best in the world, you’d better try Argentina’s Helado first. It is very rich in cream, comes in large portions, and has many flavors, with “milk” flavor being the most popular.

▲ Argentina – Helado (Photo /Helados Sultana official Facebook page))

4. Malaysia – Nyonya Red Bean Ice
This is a very popular shaved ice dessert locally, known for its bright colors due to the addition of various food colorings. It also features jelly, sweet corn, nuts, diced fruits, aloe vera, condensed milk, and a generous drizzle of sweet syrup.

▲ Malaysia – Nyonya Red Bean Ice (Photo / Wikimedia)

5. Cornwall, UK – Clotted Cream Ice Cream
This is a very famous ice cream locally, made from whole cream that is heated by steam and then slowly cooled until a layer of clotted cream floats to the surface. Using this high-fat cream gives the ice cream an exceptionally rich creamy texture.

▲ Cornwall, UK – Clotted Cream Ice Cream (Photo /http://www.kellysofcornwall.co.uk/products/)

6. Israel – Halva Ice Cream
If you’re in Israel and want to have ice cream, be sure to try this one. Halva is a dessert made from ground sesame, turned into a paste and then sweetened with honey. On a hot summer day in Tel Aviv, enjoying one is a real treat.

▲ Israel – Halva Ice Cream (Photo / Wikimedia)

7. Turkey – Dondurma
Dondurma is Turkey’s traditional ice cream, sometimes seen at night markets in Taiwan as well, so it’s not unfamiliar. What makes this ice cream special is its incredible chewiness—unlike typical creamy, fast-melting ice creams, it has more texture.

▲ Turkey – Dondurma (Photo / Wikimedia)

8. India – Kulfi
If we were to describe Kulfi, calling it “frozen custard” might be more accurate. It is made with condensed milk and various flavors. Popular local flavors include saffron, mango, cardamom, and pistachio.

▲India - Kulfi (Photo / Wikimedia)

9. Germany - Spaghetti Ice Cream
In Germany, be careful—you might think you're getting a plate of spaghetti, but it's actually ice cream. This creative dessert originated in the 1960s, where vanilla ice cream is pressed through a potato ricer to form noodle-like shapes, then topped with strawberry sauce and white chocolate.

▲Germany - Spaghetti Ice Cream (Photo / Wikimedia)

10. Alaska - Eskimo Ice Cream (Akutaq)
This ice treat is made by combining animal fat with sugar and wild berries.

▲Alaska - Eskimo Ice Cream (Akutaq) (Photo / Wikimedia)

11. Italy - Truffle Ice Cream (Tartufo)
The word "Tartufo" means "truffle" in Italian. The classic version of truffle ice cream features vanilla ice cream stuffed with cherries, peanuts, chocolate, and more.

▲Italy - Truffle Ice Cream (Tartufo) (Photo / Wikimedia)