New York’s Korean Ice Cream Sensation Is Coming to Texas

Noona’s Ice Cream, the New York-based Korean ice cream company, is coming to Texas. The packaged pints will be found in all locations of Central Market starting in February. This includes the North Lamar and Westgate locations of the supermarket in Austin.

Update, February 7: Noona’s is now available at all Central Markets in Texas.

Noona’s will offer four different pint flavors: toasted rice, black sesame, golden sesame, and turmeric honeycomb called “Little Miss Sunshine.” (Eater New York is a fan.) Founder Hannah Bae is working on a green tea flavor, which will be available sometime after the February launch. The ice cream is made with sustainably raised dairy, as well as natural and organic ingredients.

“There’s a huge population of people who love Asian flavors,” Bae explained her decision to expand into Texas, “and specifically are interested Korean culture and its food.”

Bae doesn’t rule out a proper Austin ice cream shop either. “That would be pretty awesome,” she said. “I’d love to have Noona’s become part of the Austin community. I hope we are embraced.”

The partnership came to be while Bae served her ice cream during a New York food convention, and the Central Market team enjoyed the products.

The name Noona is a reference to the Korean word for “big sister.” Bae decided to experiment with savory elements for ice cream in 2014 and launched the company the following year, hence Noona’s signature flavors. “I wanted to make a new flavor that would resonate with my family and friends,” she said.

Currently, Noona’s is only found in various New York City shops and one Korean restaurant, Danji. It can also be shipped.

• Noona’s Ice Cream [Official]
• Noona’s Ice Cream [Facebook]
• Noona’s Ice Cream [Instagram]
• All Coverage of Noona’s Ice Cream [EATX]