It’s been a long week at school, and all you’ve been looking forward to is a relaxing afternoon off-campus. The best way to unwind is by satisfying your sweet tooth, and there is no better place to do so than Sawtelle. Located a 10-minute drive away from campus, Sawtelle is the prime spot to explore new dessert places.
Somi Somi
Type of dessert: taiyaki and soft serve ice cream
Location: 11311 Mississippi Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90025
Hours: 12 p.m.-11 p.m.
Price range: $5-7
Links: @somisomiicecream
Combining Asian and American flavors, Somi Somi has become a classic snack for college students in California. The desserts feature a fish-shaped pastry with filling and soft serve. The combination of the warm waffle-like pastry and the cold and creamy soft serve is a match made in heaven. Newcomers are encouraged to try the upside-down Ah-Boong, soft serve ice cream topped with a fish-shaped pastry. Their most popular flavors are the matcha, ube and oreo. They have lactose-free options to pick from as well. Somi Somi’s visually aesthetic dessert options are perfect for Instagram photos!
Hui Lau Shan
Type of dessert: Hong Kong desserts (mango sago, mochi, shaved ice)
Location: 2222 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
Hours: 12 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Price range: $7-12
Links: @huilaushanusa
Authentic Hong Kong style desserts are relatively hard to come by in Los Angeles. Many students have tried Meet Fresh in Westwood, but Hui Lau Shan puts a different spin on shaved ice. This dessert spot is perfect for mango lovers, as their entire store is mango themed. Hui Lau Shan offers refreshing desserts with ice cream, sago, mochi and fresh mangoes. Their most popular items are the mango chewy ball and mango sago. Many items on their menu also feature coconut milk, a vegan-friendly alternative.
Millet Crepe
Type of dessert: crème brûlée and custard crepes
Location: 2011 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
Hours: 1 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Price range: $7-9
Links: @milletcrepe
This dessert spot went viral on TikTok a while back—and rightfully so. Many customers fly in from all parts of California just to try their sweet treats. They specialize in crepes with a variety of rich fillings, such as salted caramel and green tea ice cream. During the weekend, there is typically a line weaving out the door after dinner time. Their signature crème brûlée and custard crepes are definitely worth a try.
Melo Melo Coconut Dessert
Type of dessert: coconut pudding
Location: 2002 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
Hours: 12:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Price range: $10-13
Links: @melomelo_coconut
Melo Melo opened their Sawtelle location last year. Prior to this, their closest spot was located in Koreatown. Their coconut puddings are all prepared daily and feature flavors such as baked sweet potato, red bean, taro and oreo. However, only a few items on their menu, such as the coconut water jelly, are vegan. With each purchase of a dessert, you receive a small glass jar that you can bring home! As per their store policy, you are eligible to get one free coconut dessert if you collect 10 jars. Though the desserts have a coconut milk base, the flavor is relatively mild. Their creamy coconut pudding leaves customers wanting more each time!
Wanderlust Creamery
Type of dessert: ice cream
Location: 2105 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
Hours: 12 p.m.-11 p.m.
Price range: $7-10
Links: @wanderlustcreamery
Wanderlust Creamery is perhaps the dessert shop with the coolest concept on this list. A must-visit, with a variety of stores across California, Wanderlust was also popularized by TikTok. What makes Wanderlust unique is their flavors, all inspired by the owner’s favorite travel destinations. Their most popular signature flavors are sticky rice and mango, Japanese neapolitian and abuelita malted crunch. They also have many vegan ice cream options to choose from. The owners also offer seasonal flavors based on holidays around the world. For Chinese New Year, they had lychee and almond cookie, oolong pineapple cake and white rabbit candy. The flavors are unlike any other ice cream spot.
