We check out Softhaus, pastry chef Janice Wong’s newest concept, a fun and inclusive ice cream experience with keto-friendly and plant-based options.
As the escalator descended to B1 of Great World, we couldn’t miss the Softhaus storefront as it came into view. “This looks really cheerful, even by ice cream shop standards,” I remark to futr’s editor, Brin.
There’s shades of red, turquoise, and pastel pink, but it isn’t just colours that give the storefront a cheerful vibe. Three screens display looping ice-cream inspired animations, which we later learn were specially created for Softhaus by a 3D artist.
how’s Softhaus different?
“Art is a big feature with Softhaus,” says Janice, as 3D-animated marshmallows on a screen behind her endlessly erupt from a crater. The brand is designed as ‘a happy place for people’, and their branding exudes that cheerful vibe.
The ice cream itself too, caters to people of all ages, from young kids to senior citizens. And, it’s not just because of the eye-catching colours or nostalgic toppings! They use locally-sourced, sustainable ingredients, and also offer sugar-free, keto and vegan-friendly options.
Softhaus does bear several similarities to Janice’s 2am:dessertbar in terms of their healthy offerings. However, in place of 2am’s atas aura is a vibrant, effervescent ambience.
tell me about the ice cream!
Now, on to what everyone (myself included) is excited about: the 16 ice cream flavours and 21 toppings available!
We placed our orders contactlessly, via the online ordering system. This not only kept the line moving, but ensured that safe distancing was observed. As a bonus, it also provides time to contemplate if you should go for that second scoop, without holding up the queue.
Prices begin at $6 a scoop for the universally pleasing original flavours, such as milk tea and cookies & cream. If you’re feeling a bit posh, premium flavours go for $7 a pop. It does cost a bit more, but you do get to pick from stuff like hazelnut and roasted pistachio. We decided to start our sampling with the latter, it being one of Janice’s favourite flavours.
Our single scoop of roasted pistachio ice cream with dark chocolate fudge wasn’t much of a looker, but it was immediately apparent why it was a favourite. The ice cream was rich and velvety smooth, with delicate pistachio flavours that balanced perfectly with the plant-based milk. The generous amount of fudge drizzled on top added that chocolatey dimension to our sundae, without making it cloyingly sweet.
oooh, how about the toppings?
Seeing everyone else’s grand-looking sundaes gave us FOMO, so we decided to explore the available toppings in our second serving. Regular toppings such as sprinkles and popcorn go for $0.50 each, while a range of pricier ones go for $1. The premium toppings were actually worth the extra, giving options like macarons and chocolate-coated almonds.
Our next sundae comprised of two scoops in a waffle bowl – single origin Colombia chocolate, and single origin Columbia coffee. It was really difficult to choose toppings, but eventually we went with popcorn, iced gems (also a favourite of Janice’s), and salted caramel sauce.
Iced gems and popcorn toppings were picked purely for nostalgia, but they turned out to be amazing flavour bombs. The airy popcorn pockets collected drips of melted ice cream which burst in my mouth. It got better, though. The dense biscuit bit of the iced gems soaked the rest of the ice cream up, making them perfectly moist. If you’re one of those people that usually just eat the icing and chuck the biscuit out – don’t!
We quite enjoyed the coffee ice cream, which had nutty and smoky undertones. Personally, I enjoy my coffee strong and unsweetened so this wasn’t quite potent enough for me. For non-coffee drinkers, however, it might just be mild enough to be palatable. The ice cream had a unique mouthfeel, thanks to a generous amount of coffee grounds mixed in. The salted caramel sauce topping was a great companion, adding a sweet balance to the slightly bitter coffee flavour.
The chocolate ice cream was a bit of a puzzler, with a fruity taste we couldn’t quite pinpoint. Initially, I put it down to a by-product of the chocolate production process. A look at the website then suggested that it might’ve been the taste of coconut milk! Unsurprising, given that this was a vegan option.
so, how’s it as a healthy alternative?
If Softhaus’ vibrant branding isn’t already attractive enough, their healthy alternatives will certainly be!
I’ve heard horror stories of off-the-shelf keto ice cream tasting nothing like what the label suggests. The worst review so far said the ice cream tasted not creamy, but oily (ugh). It’s nice that there’s now Softhaus around to offer a decent alternative, whether you’re on a diet or have dietary restrictions.
Wanna have a taste? Head on down to Softhaus from 10am to 10pm daily at Great World, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #B1-K135. You can also follow (and tag!) them on Instagram at @softhausicecream.
Love everything sustainable and eco-friendly? You might like these tips for sustainability, or our eco-conscious shopping challenge.
