You read it right, it’s really $298 for a scoop of ice cream! This Gelato shop called Dood Bottega Gelateria in Tsim Sha Tsui has a painting by Chua Lam hanging next to it, with the words “Plenty of Italian Gelato”. What makes this shop so special that even Chua Lam praises it?
Upon closer inspection, the ice cream counter offers more than ten flavors, each with a different price. These range from the $59 Japanese charcoal roasted black sesame and Italian flower language milk to the currently most expensive $298 Nara ancient capital strawberry. Other popular flavors include Sicilian pistachio (version 3.0) ($88), mint chocolate chip ($128), white orchid liqueur Japanese Shizuoka royal melon ($198), and Malaysia’s top-grade D197 Musang King durian ($198).
The founder of this store, Jackson, originally worked in the advertising industry but later decided to switch careers and pursue his passion for ice cream. He even traveled all the way to Italy to learn from local ice cream masters and insisted on using a high-end ice cream machine known as the “Ferrari of the Gelato world.” The Gelato produced is exceptionally smooth and creamy, and the cost of the equipment alone is higher than that of others.
In terms of raw materials, Jackson also insists on using homemade ingredients. Most of the products on the market use pre-made ice cream bases or semi-finished products, but Jackson starts from scratch and boldly claims that his is the only 100% handmade ice cream in Hong Kong.
Therefore, the quality of ingredients is especially important. Strawberry ice cream can be sold for $298 per scoop precisely because it uses nearly $200 worth of natural and rich-tasting strawberries from the ancient capital of Japan. The amount of ingredients used must not be skimped on. For example, in the mint chocolate chip flavor, fresh mint leaves are used, and each leaf must be stripped of its stem to remove any bitter taste, resulting in a refreshing and distinct mint flavor.
Many customers have said that once they have tried the ice cream from this shop, it is difficult to enjoy ice cream from other places. Seeing many regular customers coming to buy ice cream at the shop is proof of this. If you consider yourself an ice cream lover, you must try it!
Address: Shop B201-23, Basement 2, K11 Musea, Tsim Sha Tsui
