Welcome to The Little One
At "The Little One," we celebrate the delicate artistry of Japanese desserts, offering an inviting escape in the heart of New York's Chinatown. Specializing in shaved ice, our menu showcases unique flavors like matcha and black sesame, carefully crafted into small-batch ice cream pints and delightful treats like mochi and parfaits. Each dessert, from the refreshing yuzu parfait to the rich matcha banana pudding, is designed to tantalize your taste buds, blending traditional and innovative elements. Though our prices reflect the quality, the experience of enjoying these exquisite flavors makes every visit a cherished occasion for dessert lovers seeking something truly special.
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150 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002 Hotline:
Welcome to The Little One, a charming shaved ice dessert haven located in the vibrant heart of Chinatown, New York. With its delightful offerings of traditional Japanese sweets and modern twists, this petite café has quickly become a must-visit spot for dessert enthusiasts.
The Little One specializes in kakigori, a fine shaved ice treat that transports you to the summer streets of Japan with every spoonful. Their unique flavors and artisanal toppings set them apart, inviting customers to experience the luxurious textures and taste of their signature dishes. Here are some highlights from their menu:
- Matcha Red Bean Chiffon - A harmonious blend of rich matcha and delicate chiffon cake for $13.75.
- Warabi Mochi Kinako - Soft and sweet, served with a dusting of roasted soybean flour for $7.50.
- Hojicha Tiramisu - Combining the far eastern notes of hojicha with creamy mascarpone mousse for $13.75.
- Matcha Banana Pudding - A delightful mix of matcha pudding, fresh bananas, and homemade wafers for $10.00.
- Yuzu Parfait - A refreshing combination of yuzu cream and coconut for $10.00.
- Tri Color Dango - A trio of mochi flavors served with kuromitsu and kinako for $7.50.
For those craving something a bit different, The Little One also features a delightful assortment of Monaka ice cream sandwiches, like the Chrysanthemum Andrews with local honey and unique ice cream pints including flavors such as Matcha and Black Sesame, each priced at $15.00. A true fusion of artistry and flavor, every item exudes a pleasing aesthetic and is crafted with high-quality ingredients.
Reviews from delighted customers echo a common theme: The Little One's desserts are not only visually appealing but also balance flavor intricately, creating a delightful experience. Patrons like Tram N. laud the remarkable combo of oatmeal and matcha in their kakigori, while others appreciate the frequent seasonal specials that elevate the dessert game. Although some mention that prices are on the higher side, many agree that the exquisite quality of the dishes justifies the cost.
Small yet inviting, The Little One caters to those with a sweet tooth and a love for all things matcha and mochi. Whether you're savoring a creamy matcha affogato or indulging in a luxurious strawberry roll cake, each visit promises a comforting yet sophisticated retreat. Don't miss the chance to explore this hidden gem — where tradition meets innovation in every delectable bite.
Join the sweet craze that is The Little One, where their motto seems to be, "Good things come in little packages!" Whether you're stopping in for a quick dessert or settling down with friends, this cultural landmark in Chinatown is sure to satisfy your sweet cravings.
The food was good, but it's a bit overpriced for what you get. Otherwise, the cafe is really cute.
Small dessert shop in Chinatown area with some seatings available. You have to order at the ipad at the desk in the back, but they charge tip for no table service... which is interesting. The desserts are on the pricier side. I love their matcha kakigori and hojicha kakigori, would recommend getting the large size instead.
Small place almost like mangomango in the area. Cake matcha red bean was ok didnt have much flavor but nice cream on it and wasnt sweet. No bathroom hence the small space but cute dango, we didnt get to try the shaved ice bc we were full but looked cute and decent size. Matcha looked good in the cup and we all finished our drinks. Warm heater and staffs were friendly allowed us to all hang out since it wasn't busy in the hour we were there.
OMG! THIS PLACE ATE PERIOD!!!!!!!! Who on earth thought of OAT and MATCHA TOGETHER could served this much!!!! Well... The Little One does. The matcha is high quality, the shaved ice is soft and melt in your mouth. The crunchy (almond???) was sweet and delicious. Oh my, the slight bitterness of the matcha, and the slight sweetness of the oatmeal balance itself so well. Now on to the MATCHA AFFOGATO because oh my mman, can I please order a pint of those oatmeal ice cream??????? A very vegan friendly treats that anyone should have try at least one. Similarly to the shaved ice, but while the shaved ice just have a small hint of sweetness, this ice cream was much much more sweet, but in a good way as the sweet balancing the matcha out so once the ice cream completely melted, you have a semi oatmeal matcha latte. Definitely will be back, but not often as this place is quite expensive.
My cousin got the lunar new year cookie box from here and we were all very impressed. The cookies were all very unique and soft! I can't even decide which was my favorite. My top two were definitely the earl grey suds hi and pandan coconut milk jam. I can't wait to come and try their other desserts as well as get another holiday cookie box.
A bit of a hidden gem dessert spot I stumbled upon during my last trip. This is a petite pastry shop serving up Japanese teas and sweets. There are five tables with some seating, but the space is not that large at all. What we got: - Matcha Oat Kakigori Final Thoughts: Kakigori isn't that common to come across so I was pleasantly surprised to find it on the menu! It was beautiful, soft, fluffy, and had a lovely milky flavor that complimented the matcha. There were even pieces of jelly at the bottom. I'd definitely return for a sweet treat the next time I'm in town.
Cute little kakigori place! The space itself feels very cute and polished and the shaved ice itself was excellent and now one of my favorite kakigoris in the city. I tried the holiday matcha special in the size large. I shared it with my boyfriend and it was the perfect amount. The ice texture itself was light like snow and the matcha flavor was very rich and strong. The special had strawberries and red bean inside and the cream topping on top was amazing. It is a little pricey for the amount you get, but will definitely be back to try some new seasonal flavors.
The first time I tried little one was their delicious ice cream sandwich. I like how they had unique flavors such as chrysanthemums. Although their desserts are a bit on the pricier side, I think they justify it with the good quality. I finally was able to go back and try the Kakigōri shaved ice and it was amazing. Size small is big enough to share with two people but I had no problem finishing it myself because of how tasty and refreshing it was. In fact next time I come back, I'll probably get my own as well!
The Little One offers a selection of kakigōri plus mochi and red bean toppings (for an extra charge). This was my first time here. A few things: 1) The shaved ice is coarse not soft and snowy. This is different from the typical kakigōri which is fluffy, light and powdery. It's more like very fine ice shards, cold and clear (but not slushy). 2) The small size portion was smaller than I expected (for the price). 3) The store is super cute & has a small seating area with closely spaced tables & modern decor. 4) The menu states the large size is "dine in only." I tried the peach kakigōri with lychee. It was refreshing on a hot humid summer day. It was a sweet and simple dessert. Three and a half stars for the dessert. The cashier was very kind & helpful. * Personally I'd opt for a matcha or hojicha flavored kakigōri - I prefer the tea based flavors over fruity ones.