We all have our favourite aisle in the supermarket, whether it’s “bread, spreads & jam” or “condiments & dried goods”. For some of us, though, it isn’t an aisle. It’s a full-blown section. That’s right, the ice cream section.

We know, that place is dangerous territory — where temptations flow like no tomorrow and any remnants of self-control we thought we had fade into oblivion. But, some days just call for an ice cream treat.

If you’re always reaching for that same Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey tub or that box of Magnum sticks, we’re here to introduce you to a whole new world. We’ve compiled a list of 10 other excellent ice creams right under your nose that you’ve been sorely missing out on!

How about trying something new for a change? You’ll never know unless you try.

Photo Credit: Fairprice

#1 DREYER’S COOKIES & CREAM

This one’s for all the Oreo fans. Cookies & Cream is no groundbreaking flavour but Dreyer’s has really nailed this classic. Made from fresh milk, the creamy vanilla ice cream is generously dotted with cookie bits for that delicious crunch.

Best eaten with a warm fudgy brownie. Mmm.

Available at Fairprice, Cold Storage, Marketplace and Giant.

Photo Credit: Fairprice

#2 KING’S TEH TARIK POTONG ICE CREAM

If you didn’t have potong as a child, did you really grow up in Singapore? Potong is no fancy gelato but we’ll always have a soft spot for this nostalgic treat.

As faithful as we are to our OG flavours, such as red bean and black glutinous rice, this Teh Tarik Potong is really leading us astray. It’s has a pretty strong tea profile, making it really aromatic. We can almost hear the slushing of the teh with every bite.

Available at Fairprice and Cold Storage.

Photo Credit: Giant

LA CREMARIA ALMOND PECAN PASSION ICE CREAM

We don’t know which sounds better — the fancy name of the brand or the ice cream flavour itself. Either way, this brainchild of Nestlé’s is really a stunner.

Pecan-flavoured ice cream is swirled with chocolate sauce and almond chunks, promising a nutty, chocolatey and creamy indulgence. Definitely a must-have for nutty fans.

Available at Giant and Sheng Shiong.

Photo Credit: Fairprice

#4 MELONA ICE BAR

With its slightly tacky font and plain design, Melona Ice Bar looks pretty unassuming. But, just wait for the plot twist. Fruity, smooth and carried by a hint of sweetness, This potong lookalike is shockingly good.

It comes in an assortment of flavours, from melon to mango, so go on and take your pick!

Available at Fairprice and Cold Storage.

Photo Credit: Fairprice

#5 SAMANCO GREEN TEA ICE CREAM SANDWICH

What do you get when you cross a Taiyaki with an ice cream sandwich? No points for guessing. Samanco Green Tea Ice Cream stands out from the sea of ice cream tubs and sticks with its fishy outfit.

But it’s more than just its good looks. The combination of milky matcha ice cream with sweet red bean paste is truly a match made in heaven. The matcha flavour isn’t the most concentrated, so it’s great if you’re not into bitter notes.

Available at Fairprice and Cold Storage.

Photo Credit: The Ice Cream & Cookie Co.

#6 THE ICE CREAM & COOKIE CO. ONDE ONDE

This brand hasn’t been around as long as some of the old-timers have but it’s certainly not to be trifled with. Their Onde Onde ice cream is a case in point. This coconut milk-based ice cream is infused with all-natural pandan extract and laced with coconut mochi, desiccated coconut and delicious gula melaka.

A taste of your favourite traditional kueh in every scoop. And yes, it’s dairy-free so even the lactose-intolerant people can rejoice!

Available at Fairprice, Cold Storage and The Marketplace.

Photo Credit: Fairprice

#7 WALL’S ASIAN DELIGHT ICE CREAM — TARO

We can already hear the steps of the orh nee fans running towards their nearest supermarkets. This taro ice cream popsicle looks and tastes like yammy paradise.

Yam-flavoured ice cream spiked with actual yam chunks is coated in a refreshing layer of coconut confection. It’s smooth and fragrant with the occasional soft crunch. Good on you, Wall’s, good on you.

Available at Fairprice.

Photo Credit: Giant

#8 WALL’S VIENNETTA 

Touted as “the fanciest ice cream cake of the 90s”, the Viennetta is a dreamy confection of layers upon layers of luscious ice cream and compound chocolate. Yes, sorry to disappoint, but there isn’t actually cake in it.

But, that doesn’t make it any less amazing. This supreme creation will surely have you feeling like royalty as you tuck into it. It’s available in two flavours — chocolate and vanilla.

Available at Fairprice and Giant.

Photo Credit: Fairprice

#9 WARAKU HOKKAIDO FRESH CREAM DAIFUKU

Whoever thought of putting mochi and ice cream together, thank you. The bounciness of the mochi and richness of the ice cream go hand in hand to create an absolutely winning combination.

Good news — you don’t have to travel down to Japanese marts to get your fix of mochi ice cream. This daifuku ice cream made in Japan is every mochi lover’s dream come true, stuffed with a whole strawberry and fresh cream.

Available at Fairprice.

Photo Credit: Cold Storage

#10 WEI’S DARK CHOCOLATE

Here’s another great option for those who are sensitive to dairy. Wei’s Dark Chocolate sorbet is so rich and velvety you’ll scrambling to read the ingredient list to make sure there really isn’t any dairy in it.

And there really isn’t. Vegan-friendly, gluten-free and free of artificial flavours, it’s almost too good to be true.

Available at Cold Storage.

We will never run out of things to eat in Bangkok. Period.

This gluttons paradise is home to a smorgasbord of scrumptious grub that we wouldn’t mind getting fat for. From cooling husks of coconut ice cream to fiery bowls of Thai green curry, Bangkok hands down has some of the best food that we have ever tasted.

Whether it’s your first time stepping foot into this food heaven or if you’re a frequent traveller to Bangkok, we have here a guide of local food and snacks to give you some ideas on what you need to try on your next trip to the land of smiles.

BOAT NOODLES 

There are few things as addictive as boat noodles and we love the satisfying feeling of stacking all those finished bowls up high. The great thing about boat noodles is that because the portions are all so small and cheap, you get to try a variety of different broths and noodles till your heart’s content without feeling a pinch in your wallet.

Where to get it: Lung Prathunam Boat Noodles, Kin Tiew Kan, Baan Kuay Tiew Ruathong, Doy Kuay Teow Reua Boat Noodles

COCONUT ICE CREAM 

The Bangkok heat can get pretty unbearable at times and that’s why we love indulging ourselves in some Thai coconut ice-cream to cool ourselves down. We absolutely love the rich coconut cream base and we like to garnish our ice creams a sprinkling of peanuts, fruits, and candies.

 Where to get it: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Hua Mum Night Market, Natthaphon Coconut Ice Cream

CHARCOAL CREPES 

Choose to have your crepes savoury or sweet—we had our charcoal crepe with sliced bananas. You are likely to find crepes in most night markets of Bangkok as it is a common snack you can find even on the streets itself.

Where to get it: Rot Fai Market Ratchada

Photo Credit: erikhasoewito

CRISPY PANCAKES (KHANOM BUANG) 

Khanom buang is a must-eat snack when you are in Thailand. It’s a Thai-style crepe that looks like a crunchy taco. It’s made with rice flour and stuffed with sweet meringue or savoury cream. Toppings vary from egg yolk threads to shredded coconut or chopped shrimp.

Where to get it: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Rot Fai Market Ratchada 

DUCK RICE/NOODLES 

If you love duck, we insist that you try the Thai’s rendition of duck noodles and rice. We prefer it over Singapore’s any day and we love how their version features more tender and succulent cuts of duck.

Where to get it: Buay Pochana, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Pondtip Pratunam, Tung Sui Heng Pochana

Photo Credit: feebz9210

FRIED BUGS

This one isn’t for the faint-hearted (and that includes us). If you’re a brave soul who loves trying out new things, we recommend that you have a go at some fried bugs. Bangkok is one of the few places in the world that dishes out these critters like delicacies and you can often get your hands on some at most of the night markets there.

Where to get it: Rot Fai Market Ratchada, Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin, Khao San Road, Soi Cowboy, Klong Toey Market

FRIED QUAIL EGGS 

Fried quail eggs are one of our favourite street snacks in Bangkok. They taste great, albeit extremely simple. The special seasoning used is a sauce that elevates the savoury taste. The egg is also usually not fully cooked, so the yolk bursts once you bite into it.

Where to get it: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Chinatown, Ramkhamhaeng University Night Market, Hua Mak

LENG SAAP 

Leng Saap essentially translates to ‘Spicy Pork Bone Soup’ and it basically consists of giant portions of pork ribs and spine that are generously doused in a rich and addictively spicy broth as well as plenty of lime, coriander and chilli. We’ve tried the one at Golden Mile Tower back in Singapore and were instantly hooked, and we pleased to say that the ones here in Bangkok taste even better.

Where to get it: Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin, Rot Fai Market Ratchada

MANGO STICKY RICE

The vast abundance of street food might be a tad too overwhelming for first-timers to Thailand, but one will never go wrong with this classic Thai dessert. Made with coconut milk, fresh mangoes and sticky glutinous rice, this dessert is a delightful contrast of sweet and saltiness.

Where to get it: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Talad Neon Night Market, Rot Fai Market Ratchada, Mae Varee Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango, Boonsap Thai Desserts, Muhammad Roddee, Je Meaw Sukhumvit 38

OLIVE RICE 

If you’re tired of plain white rice, why not try some of Thailands olive rice? We love how the rice has an aromatic olive flavour that pairs well with whatever dish it is served with it. It also tastes great eaten on its own!

Where to get it: Street outside Union Mall, Sanguan Sri Restaurant

PAD THAI

It would be a crime to come to Bangkok and not have tried the pad Thai here. This classic stir-fried noodle dish is chock full of different flavours from all its various components such as the nuttiness from the peanuts to the sweetness of the prawns and chilli. It isn’t hard to see why it’s so popular amongst both locals and tourists alike!

Where to get it: Thipsamai, Baan Phad Thai, Pad Thai Mae Am

PAN-FRIED SQUID EGGS 

Squid eggs do sound a little intimidating to people who have never tried them before but we promise you that they taste way better than they sound! Most places serve them in two ways: deep-fried or pan-fried. We prefer the deep-fried version which is first coated with batter for a crispy outer layer, before being deep-fried in hot oil and then drizzled with a tangy green chilli sauce for extra oomph.

Where to get it: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Rot Fai Market Ratchada 

PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE (KHAO OP SAPPAROT) 

Nothing beats an iconic plate of pineapple fried rice and this well-loved Thai dish features fluffy Jasmine rice cooked with juicy pineapple chunks. Some places even serve up the dish in a hollowed-out pineapple which makes for a great photo opportunity for the gram.

Where to get it: Ko Eay Ko Kafaa, Tealicious Cafe

PORK TROTTERS RICE (KHAO KAA MOO) 

Whenever we are in Bangkok, we love to indulge ourselves in a sinful plate of pork trotters rice. Here, outrageously tender chunks of braised pork trotters lie atop a bed of white rice and then doused in a generous amount of braising gravy. We honestly wouldn’t mind getting a heart attack for this dish.

Where to get it: Bamee Sawang, Khao Kha Moo Truk Sung

Photo Credit: linhlengkeng

SALTED GRILLED FISH 

The Thai’s prepare their salted fish very differently from the Chinese. Here, they coat the entire fish in a layer of salt while discarding the skin. This interesting technique helps to preserve the moisture of the fishes flesh during the grilling process, keeping it nice, moist and chock full of flavour.

Where to get it: Rot Fai Market Ratchada, Pa Porn Pla Phao, Talad Neon

SOM TUM

For the uninitiated, som tum is essentially Thai-style green papaya salad. There are many roadside stalls selling fresh som tum that is prepared to order. Unripened green papaya is shredded and mixed with chilli, sugar, garlic, lime, fish sauce, tomatoes and several other ingredients to produce a spicy-sour taste that will have you lingering for more.

Where to get it: B-Story Cafe, MBK Mall, Chatuchak Weekend Market

THAI CHICKEN RICE 

While Thai-style chicken rice is somewhat similar to Singapore’s, the chicken is much drier and the rice is a little less oily. Many stalls specialise in both fried and steamed chicken rice and we sometimes have a hard time choosing between the two. We love the chilli sauce that accompanies the dish and it provides anything that is dunked into it with a savoury and fiery touch that packs a punch.

Where to get it: Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice, Kuang Heng, Kaiton Pratunam Chicken Rice

THAI ICED MILK TEA

To combat the sweltering heat, we love to get ourselves a cup of satisfyingly cooling Thai iced milk tea. Renditions of this popular drink can be found in many places around the world but nothing beats going back to the original. While the drink may get too cloyingly sweet at times, we still can’t help but slurp it down because it’s just so addictive.

Where to get it: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Khao San Road, Rot Fai Market Ratchada, Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin 

THAI GREEN CURRY 

We love how creamy yet fiery a good bowl of Thai green curry is. The green chillies used give the dish its murky green colour and this is further enhanced with basil leaves and lemongrass. If you can’t take spicy food, be warned that this dish might be a bit too much for you.

Where to get it: Krua Apsorn, Methavalai Sorndaeng, The Sixth

THAI FISH CAKE 

Thai fish cakes are one of our favourite snacks in Bangkok and we love how they are easily available.  If you are lucky, these fish cakes will be freshly deep-fried in front of you, so you can have it piping hot with a generous drizzle of Thai sweet chilli sauce.

Where to get it: Pratunam Market, Chatuchak Weekend Market

THAI-STYLE OMELETTE 

There is something very addictive about Thai-style omelettes that make us prefer it to any other omelette out there. For some unbeknownst reason, the omelettes in Bangkok are the fluffiest and sweetest. Pair it with some rice and Thai green chilli sauce and you’ve got yourself a simple yet satisfying meal that’ll substantially fill you up.

Where to get it: Chatuchak Weekend Market, The Sixth, Raan Jay Fai, Nhong Rim Klong

TOM YUM KOONG 

Common but oh-so-addictive, a hearty bowl of tom yum koong is an ideal centrepiece for meals with large groups of people. The dish is creamy, spicy and tangy all at once and we could easily just eat it doused over a plate of rice without anything else.

Where to get it: The Sixth, The Place 168, Pee Aor

WANTON NOODLES 

If you love Singapore’s wanton noodles, you may wanna give the Thai version a try. Here, springy egg noodles are tossed in oil, soya sauce and chilli, accompanied with greens, small dumplings and slices of honeyed pork. We admittedly can’t decide if we prefer the Thai or Singapore rendition!

Where to get it: Sukhumvit Soi 38, Bamee Sawang, Nai Meng Ba Mee Poo, Odean Noodle