Hema Hema Ice Cream — Restaurant in George Town

I walked past this business yesterday and noticed a long queue outside. Figured this might be that good that it warrants a queue or just an overhyped social media viral place that's just marketed very well. I decided to give this a try today, and turned up before opening time. When I got here, I noticed a queue before the shop even opened 😲 So I just joined it. When I got in, I placed my ordered, ordered double scoop, one was the Biscoff, the other was Ferrero Chocolate. Came to 19 Ringet (at the time of writing) because Ferrero chocolate was a part of the premium selection. I sat down in the back and had my ice cream and OMG the Biscoff flavour is EASILY THE BEST BISCOFF flavoured ice cream I ever had, I've tried so many independent artisan ice cream places in so many countries, some places had the Biscoff flavoured too strong, others were weak, but this is very BALANCED and perfected. It's very reminiscent of the actual Biscoff itself. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the Ferrero flavour though, because again I had it in so many places around the world, and there's been other places that do this flavour better, and unfortunately this doesn't rank even in the top 5 for that flavour. I would recommend just having Biscoff flavour, and something else if wanting to mix and match. Note, this is no Haagen Daz or Ben & Jerry's, this is an independent artisan place that's probably hyped on social media, but for the right reason; the Biscoff flavour (not that I've tried other flavours). Join the queue just for that flavour. The seating area in the back island spacious, with cushions. Though do expect queues...

Visited on Sunday, 16th June, Hema Hema is nestled in the heart of George Town's historic district, harmoniously integrating with the area's rich cultural landscape.

Upon arrival, we faced a lengthy queue, waited around 40 minutes to place our order. Securing a seat also required patience due to the shop's popularity. Despite the wait, the experience was enhanced by observing the ice cream scoopers' meticulous effort. They use a tiny spatula to smooth the ice cream surface, ensuring each scoop is perfectly round, which we appreciated.

We tried several flavours: sesame, peanut butter, osmanthus oolong tea, and mango passionfruit. Each offered a distinctive taste profile, being not overly sweet, exceptionally smooth, and well-balanced without overwhelming flavours.

The standout for me was the peanut butter ice cream. Its slight saltiness perfectly complemented the sweetness, and the aroma was delightful. The osmanthus oolong tea flavour boasted a fragrant tea essence, offering a decadent experience. Conversely, the mango passionfruit was notably tart.

While I wouldn't classify Hema Hema as a must-visit in George Town, it is an excellent choice for a refreshing treat, particularly in the warm weather while exploring Chinatown, Armenian Street, Love Lane, or Chulia Street. Although the prices are slightly elevated, the quality and taste...

Artisan ice cream done right - the weekly menu changes with seasonal flavours. Opened since 2022 and only from Thursdays to Sundays 1pm - 10pm.

Ordered the following (two scoops in a cone is MYR19; total here being MYR49): Sicilian Pistachio (add MYR5) Blue Tahiti Vanilla Bean (add MYR2) Camellia Oolong Tea (add MYR2) Niko Neko Genmaicha (add MYR2)

Love the creamy ice cream and how it was perfectly shaped so round. Love how it wasn’t too sweet as well - in my opinion this beats quite a number of gelato places I’ve tried in Venice, Italy (I think I tried nine or ten gelato places in a 3D2N trip there) last year.

Favourite flavours of the four tried were the smooth Sicilian Pistachio and Blue Tahiti Vanilla Bean. The Genmaicha smelt fragrant with toasted rice and not too bitter. My least liked flavour was the Camellia Oolong Tea which was incredibly fragrant - to the point it took longer to finish as it felt a little artificial for me (if this makes sense). Friendly and good service too - really appreciated a guy bringing the two empty cups over to our table behind when my hands were full. The ice cream scoops are generous and heavy.

Can’t wait to be back to try more flavours. Highly recommended and a must-visit when in Penang - save this place for your future reference. So glad it lived up to...