SomiSomi Soft Serve & Taiyaki is an American chain of independently owned and operated franchised stores based in Los Angeles, California.[1] They primarily serve Korean Bungeo-ppang (fish-shaped pastry) paired with soft serve, known together as ah-boong.[2]
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chain restaurant/Franchise |
| Founded | Koreatown, Los Angeles (2016) |
| Founder | Matt Kim |
Number of locations | 33 |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Soft serve & Taiyaki |
| Website | www |
History
editSomiSomi was founded in 2016 by Matt Kim in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.[3] The location quickly gained popularity and built a cult-like following, resulting in a fast expansion across Southern California.[4][5] These locations include Irvine (Spectrum & Diamond Jamboree[6]), San Diego (Convoy,[7][8] Mira Mesa,[9] & UTC), Torrance, Garden Grove, Ontario,[10] Little Tokyo,[11] Huntington Beach, Fullerton, Long Beach,[12] and Sawtelle.[13]
In October 2018, SomiSomi opened their first location outside of California in Honolulu, Hawaii.[14]
In February 2019, SomiSomi opened their first location in Northern California[15] in Cupertino and later expanded to Elk Grove,[16] San Jose, Santa Clara, Sacramento, San Francisco, Natomas,[17] Palo Alto,[18] San Mateo, and Pleasanton.
In July 2019, SomiSomi began expanding into Texas, opening a location in Katy.[19] They would later open locations in Frisco,[20] Carrollton,[21] and Sugar Land.[20][21][22]
In May 2020, SomiSomi opened their first Nevada location in Las Vegas.[23] They would later open a second location in Henderson.
In August 2022, SomiSomi opened their first Washington location in Seattle. They would later open a second location in Bellevue.
In August 2022, SomiSomi opened their first Arizona location in Chandler.[24][25]
References
edit- ^ Woo, Candice (July 29, 2019). "Korean-Style Soft-Serve Ice Cream Swirls Into Mira Mesa". Eater San Diego. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
- ^ Espinosa, Cristin (February 12, 2020). "Crepes and fish-shaped cakes: 5 must-visit Asian dessert spots at Frisco Ranch". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
- ^ "Meet Matt Kim of SomiSomi Soft Serve & Taiyaki in Koreatown". VoyageLA. January 2, 2018. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
- ^ Addison, Brian (October 30, 2019). "Popular Korean soft serve creamery SomiSomi coming to Bixby Knolls". Long Beach Post. Retrieved 2019-10-30.
- ^ "SoCal's SomiSomi Brings Their Taiyaki And Soft Serve To The Bay Area With South Bay Location". Alt 105.3. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
- ^ "Somi Somi brings Japanese-inspired ice cream to the Irvine Business Complex". Hoodline. August 23, 2018. p. 1.
- ^ Kushi, Marianne (February 9, 2018). "Korean Dessert Shop Brings Taste of 2018 Olympic Winter Games to San Diego". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ Woo, Candice (November 10, 2017). "Somi Somi Soft Serve Sets Sail on Convoy". Eater San Diego. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ "SomiSomi makes Mira Mesa debut". Yahoo News. July 27, 2019. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ "SomiSomi brings new dessert tastes to Ontario Mills". Daily Bulletin. September 12, 2019. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ "SomiSomi Brings Soft Serve to LIttle Tokyo". Los Angeles Downtown News - The Voice of Downtown Los Angeles. October 17, 2019. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ Addison, Brian (October 30, 2019). "Popular Korean soft serve creamery SomiSomi coming to Bixby Knolls". the Hi-lo. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ "SomiSomi Sawtelle Los Angeles Korean Dessert | 2022 Visit [Review]". Foodgressing. May 16, 2022. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ Braiotta, Kelli (October 24, 2018). "Wait, Ala Moana has a third soft serve: SomiSomi is open". Frolic Hawaii. Archived from the original on 2020-08-07. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
- ^ Zavoral, Linda (August 1, 2022). "SomiSomi brings ah-boong desserts to San Jose, Palo Alto, San Mateo". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on 2022-08-01. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ "Somisomi". FOX40. January 14, 2021. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
- ^ Sorich, Sonya (July 12, 2023). "5 things: SomiSomi dessert shop opening July 14 in Natomas". Sacramento Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ Xu, Esther (October 5, 2022). "SomiSomi: Palo Alto welcomes soft serve chain". Verde Magazine. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ Rubottom, Cicely (July 31, 2019). "This Popular California Ice Cream & Taiyaki Shop Just Opened Its First Texas Location In Katy". Narcity. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
- ^ a b Albee, Amanda (September 5, 2019). "Popular LA Soft Serve Shop SomiSomi Opens in Frisco". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ a b McCarthy, Amy (February 10, 2020). "SomiSomi's Ice Cream Stuffed Pastries Will Soon Arrive in Carrollton". Eater Dallas. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ Hall, Christine (March 14, 2019). "SomiSomi to open in Sugar Land". Community Impact News. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
- ^ Martin, Bradley (June 4, 2020). "Two Korean Dessert Restaurants Open in Chinatown's Shanghai Plaza". Eater Las Vegas. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
- ^ Gutierrez, Nicole (June 2, 2022). "SomiSomi Soft Serve and Taiyaki to open first Arizona location in Chandler". ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV). Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ Reese, Ginny (June 3, 2022). "Korean Style Soft Serve Chain Opening First Arizona Location". iHeart. Retrieved 2023-12-07.