Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream and Desserts – Koko Marina Center

4 star only because the staff. The staff seem extremely unhappy to be there for some reason or another. They are never pleasant. The mochi however, holy smokes!!! We usually buy about 4 dozen at a time and they magically disappear a lot faster then they should oops! It is a tragedy that they don’t have the ice cream cakes anymore! Heading there now!

So disappointing… I stopped by to try their ice cream cakes but was told they were discontinued. I sampled their macadamia nut ice cream, which was good but didn’t blow me away. Their famous mochi ice cream was hard and the flavor tasted standard. I could have gotten better mochi ice cream from the frozen section at my grocery store.
Also, the service was horrible. The girls looked like they hated their jobs with mug faces and attitudes. If you don’t like your job, don’t work in customer service.

Went to Bubbies for the first time with friends. We’ve already made plans to come back. :-)
My wife gave the mochi ice cream five stars. She loved the chocolate coconut, the lillikoi, and the pumpkin; she thought the chocolate mint was the weakest of the bunch but still very good. My coconut ice cream was creamy and substantial — not quite as thick as a gelato, but a ‘heavier’ consistency than something like Breyer’s. We returned the next day with our daughters, and my dark chocolate chocolate chocolate chip ice cream was outstanding. It’ll probably be my go-​to choice when we head out that way.
For those who care about such things, Bubbie’s has apparently repeatedly made lists of the best ice creams in America — e.g.
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Pricing was maybe slightly on the high side (nearly $ 20 for four), but not outrageous. Service was adequate, but not special. The parking lot was free and not full at all at 7:45p, but word on the street is that it can be pretty busy during peak hours. Worth the trip.

Great and delicious ice cream for an after hike! The only complaint that I have for this place is how inefficient and slow the line is moving. There is one worker that helps with your order and the line does get pretty long.
Definitely come here after your hike at KoKo Head!

What a disappointment. Tried three mochi’s — lychee, lilikoi and mint chocolate. Personally, a good mochi must have a soft, chewy, stretchy mochi shell with creamy ice cream. Bubbies mochi tastes like the frozen mochi you find in most Asian supermarkets. PASS

I find it very sad that the University location is closed.
The only Bubbies location left on this island is located at the Koko Marina Center in Hawaii Kai. So if you need to get your Bubbies fix, this is your best option.
The location has a friendly atmosphere. You can still get your mochi and ice cream fix here. The flavors are varied. I don’t see any ice cream cakes like at the University location. Maybe you have to order it beforehand?
In any case, I definitely love Bubbies and make it a point to visit whenever I get the chance.

I’ve heard great things about this place. They do have really interesting flavors, and I can’t speak for their ice creams themselves, only the mochi ice cream.
First, kind of disappointed they don’t have more dairy free options. They had 1 sorbet but that was it. As for the mochi ice cream, there were a good variety of flavors. I ended up getting chocolate peanut butter, azuki bean, and green tea.
I didn’t like the chocolate PB at all. It’s a weird combination to have in mochi, and the ice cream didn’t taste PB at all.
The azuki bean was pretty good. The ice cream was nicely flavored and the skin was nice and thin.
I didn’t try the green tea but was deterred by the skin being a weirdly fluorescent green color.
I’m pretty lactose intolerant so I’m not used to eating that much dairy, so please take that into consideration when /​if using my review to judge this place.

So sad that bubbies on university closed down, but upside is that there is still one in Hawaii Kai! Still the same great ice cream and mochi ice cream. However, sucks that they discontinued their ice cream pies. Only reason i gave it 4 stars instead of 5!

Thank god for the lasting presence here while the stadium park location has sadly closed. Unique flavors of homemade ice cream like lychee and azuki (red) bean. Mochi ice cream flavors that will blow your mind! Glad I live in the neighborhood!
Btw they are pretty expensive now, one single scoop is ~$ 3.50

I realized I went to the one at across university… but since it’s closed, i’ll leave my original review below, assuming there is consistency with the quality of ice cream. This was for summer 2015.
SERVICE: Great. Wrokers are really nice and willing to help.
DESSERT:
MOCHI: skins are nice and thin… and just perfect. The mint mochi was my favorite. It’s chocolate mochi skin with mint ice cream on the inside. The chocolate was nice and subtle while maintaining the mochi taste. I would recommend letting these sit for a little bit to where the mochi skin defrost a tiny bit and is a little bit soft before you bite into it. Sometimes the ice cream and the skin can be too hard.
The green tea mocha was a very basic green tea; I would pass on it.
ICE CREAM: I was sold, SOLD, on the banana oreo. !!! my single scoop on a sugar cone was about 2.75. What’s cool is that the pricing of a scoop is by weight o.o. what’s also cool is that there are many cone choices! Sugar, fetus sugar cone (lol!), waffle, and 2 different wafer cones.
ORGASAM CAKE: it’s a mudpie! I don’t love chocolate ice cream, but I love mudpies. And it’s sooooo good. The black crust is an oreo crust. The layers are german chocolate, coffee and oreo ice cream. The layers are so thick, you can probably only grab one at a time, which is tasty. But try to get a little of each ice cream and the crust in one spoonful. Mmmmmmm.
The only down side was that there was no restroom (or i couldn’t find it), and I had to pee.

We need a Bubbies in the mainland! Bubbies homemade ice cream is a local favorite and I can see why. Everything they serve is soooo good. But you have to try their mochis. Best mochi ice cream I ever had. Lots of flavors to choose from, but try them all!

A bit overhyped and available in San Jose if you live in the Bay Area. Went to a plaza where Bubbies was and it was pretty quiet. They serve ice cream and mochi ice cream. I ordered 6 mochi ice creams and tried 6 different flavors: lychee, azuki bean, pistachio, green tea, passionfruit, and mango. My favorite would be the azuki bean and lychee! The taste was very strong of the fruit and bean. I would return to try the ice cream next time but i wasn’t very impressed.

Amazing ice cream! They have mochi ice cream as well as regular ice cream. The ice cream is creamy and rich. I love how there are many different flavors in addition to your typical vanilla/​chocolate. I tried the Lychee flavor and it tastes JUST LIKE IT. Hubby even enjoyed it and he is not usually a sweets guy. I also got 3 mochi to-​go, but they melt fast (I suppose the heat doesn’t help either). The pistachio, sakura, and guava. The pistachio was a special flavor, and I think that was my absolute favorite along with the Lychee ice cream. This was the PERFECT treat after our hike up Koko crater! I don’t think you could go wrong with anything at Bubbies.

The best Mochi ice cream anywhere! Super addicting and great flavors!
All the fruit flavors are so good. But can never go wrong with green tea!

I was craving Bubbies one night after dinner, so a friend and I went to this location because we didn’t feel like dealing with the crowds at the University location. Coincidentally, this was the week before the University Ave. location announced that they were closing! But it was really peaceful to drive out to Koko Marina … definitely worth the peaceful ambience so we could enjoy our ice cream. There were a handful of people present during our visit, but I was grateful for the large, spacious parking lot and the ability to relax while eating my dessert.
I think I had only been to this Bubbies once before … and I only got two pieces of mochi ice cream. It certainly doesn’t help that there’s no explanation of what each sundae/​ice cream assortment entails when you look at the menu. But, I was grateful that the two girls working were really patient with me, as I was really indecisive about my dessert decision.
I was sad to see that the ice cream cakes and other long-​named dessert are no long available at this location – guess I’ll never get to try that famous «Multiple Orgasm» cake now – but there are still lots of ice cream flavors to choose from. The different shakes sounded good, but I really wanted something I could eat (not drink) for dessert.
The girls were really quick in getting our orders done; I would definitely make a special trip out here if I’m craving good quality ice cream. Here’s what my friend and I got:
«Banana Split»: My friend likes bananas, and this split came with three scoops of ice cream, fresh cut bananas, whipped cream and a cherry on top. I’m not sure which three flavors he got, but I know one of them was a chocolate one because that’s the one I tried. I personally don’t like whipped cream, but my friend enjoyed every single bite of his sundae. I think his also included a free topping, and he went with peanuts.
«Bubbacious Sundae»: It took me a few minutes to understand that the girl meant a sundae when she kept referring to the «Bubbacious.» She said that this one was one of the dessert shop’s best sellers. I was sold because it contained one of my favorite elements – a moist, fudgy, chocolate brownie. You also get one scoop of ice cream and your choice of topping. I was excited to discover that you can get half and half – half of one flavor, half of another – so for indecisive customers like me, it’s a win-​win all around. I went with the OREO flavor and for my included topping, I chose hot peanut butter. I normally would choose candy toppings like sprinkles, M&Ms or OREOs, but the melted peanut butter – that then solidified over the cold ice cream – satisfied my craving for the night. The brownie was chewy and soft, just the way I prefer my brownies. I loved every element of this sundae and would not hesitate to order it again.
«Frappé Blast»: I didn’t get to ask what this creamy concoction includes, but if it contains coffee and chocolate, then I’m down to try it. I didn’t think it was a good idea, though, to have caffeine after dinner … knowing me, I would be up all night.
«P.B. Shake»: I wonder if this includes a lot more than just peanut butter? I’m a diehard peanut butter fan, so I’ll be sure to ask about this shake next time. If I’m in the mood to drink my dessert, this is the one I would get.
«Milkshake»: I love rich, chocolaty milkshakes, so depending on the ice cream flavors that are available during my next visit, I would get this option. Plus, it cost less than some of the sundaes.

I’m a huge Bubbie’s fan and always have been since I was a little kid. I usually get their mocha ice cream. This past Saturday, I hiked Koko Head with a group of friends and came here after eating at Paina Café. I got SIX of the mochi ice cream in the following flavors: watermelon (2x), guava, passion fruit, chocolate expresso and lychee. The guava, lychee and green tea flavored ones are my favorite, but I’ve been wanting to try the watermelon one because it was a seasonal offering. I was not disappointed! I hope this becomes a permanent flavor. It wasn’t tart at all, nor did it taste artificially flavored. Next time, I think I’ll get more than six, if I’m sharing with someone else. The only thing that was disappointing was the customer service. The female employee who was working at the time was expressionless and acted like she didn’t want to be bothered.

Bubbies has the best ice cream in Hawaii Kai. Treat yourself to a cup/​cone of homemade ice cream, mochi ice cream, or a perfect slice of Relationship George – chocolate, peanut butter ice cream cake. If you love coffee and shakes, the Up All Night satisfies both cravings, it’s super rich and totally satisfying.
For a sweet treat, go, go now. You won’t regret it.

Location/​Parking:
Bubbies is located in the Koko Marina Shopping Center. Parking fills up quickly especially during the peak lunch hours.
Ice Cream:
I LOVE the Oreo ice cream here! It is my absolute favorite ice cream flavor from Bubbies. The flavor is rich and the ice cream is creamy. The former Multiple Orgasm is now Relationship George. I prefer the original name.
Price:
The ice cream cake is $ 5.50 and the cups/​regular cone are based on $ 0.66 per ounce. The kiddie dip is 3.5 oz and cost less than $ 2.50.
Overall, this is a great place for desserts! They sell ice creams cups, comes, mochi ice cream, ice cream pies and ice cream cakes.

Want ice cream? Go to Bubbies. There’s a reason why this place makes it at the top of best ice cream places in the nation.
Just forget about your diet for a bit. I never regret eating ice cream… even if I’ve been doing so well on my healthy, whole foods streak. You only live once, right?
Bubbies in Koko Marina beats the Manoa location in several ways. First, there’s parking at Koko Marina… although sometimes it can get really crowded but chances of you finding parking here is much higher. Second, it’s not nearly as crowded as the Manoa location where the line is always out the door. There is also more walking room in Koko Marina so you aren’t brushed up against someone when passing the line.
In my opinion, the ice cream at both locations taste about the same. I typically get scooped ice cream vs mochi ice cream because I don’t like when the ice cream begins to melt and the mochi becomes sticky. But that’s a personal thing because I have tried mochi ice cream elsewhere (on the mainland) and they all do that.
I have had their mochi ice cream (which is what they are known for) and it definitely makes your taste buds happy! I’ve had Espresso, Li Hing Passion Fruit, Strawberry Dark Chocolate, and Sakura before. My favorite was the Li Hing Passion Fruit but I haven’t seen it in a while. Prices are still $ 1.25 a piece.
On most visits, I stick to the green tea. Green tea is definitely one of my favorites, along with any kind of coffee flavor. Since these flavors are common, it’s easy to compare them to other places. Green tea: you can definitely taste green tea but it’s not incredibly strong. Compared to Haagen Daz, this green tea is stronger. Mocha chip: not overly strong with a coffee taste and just the right amount of chips to go with your ice cream.
They happened to have Chocolate Sriracha as a flavor when I last went… and boy, good thing I tried it before ordering it. Even the worker stared at me while I was trying it since apparently no one likes it! At first, it tastes like a rich dark chocolate ice cream flavor. Then, you begin to taste the subtle hints of Sriracha. Once the chocolate flavor has disappeared, you’re left with an awful aftertaste of bitter, hot mess in your mouth. Would not recommend even tasting it. I had to ask for a different sample immediately just to mask the taste on my poor tongue. (But just because the Chocolate Sriracha sucked, I didn’t take away Unilocal stars. This was just an FYI and try the Chocolate Sriracha at your own risk!)
Onto the texture… the ice cream is firm, but still melts faster than other ice cream places. I always get the sugar cone instead of their waffle cones because the waffle cone is too big! But the waffle cone tastes better and actually catches all the ice cream drippings. Realistically, I hardly see people get the regular or sugar cone so you might be getting an older cone if the turnover isn’t as high.
I should probably ask how much they charge per ounce, but the price is reasonable compared to their competitors. Since they do charge per weight, you can ask for a smaller or larger scoop! My single scoop on a sugar cone typically ranges between $ 3.00 and $ 4.00. My last two visits were $ 3.23 and $ 3.66 including tax.
The seating area seems better than the Manoa location. At least the chairs aren’t all rocking. This location just seems cleaner overall than the Manoa location. And they accept credit cards! Woohoo! Last time I went to the Manoa one, they only accepted cash! Upgrade!
So why the four stars? If I could, I would rate them 4.5 stars instead. The service is lacking a little. The servers aren’t as friendly as they are in Manoa or at least whenever I go. They just call «NEXT!» You order, then then they tell you the price. There’s no, «Hi, how may I help you?»
If all you care about is the ice cream, you should definitely be stopping here! Perfect for an afternoon snack or a midnight munchie! :)
P. S. That Bubbies vanilla, chocolate, strawberry mochi ice cream at restaurants isn’t as fun as when you get to choose wacky flavors like Sakura, Guava, and Passion Fruit!

I’ve tried 5 flavors of the mochi ice cream during my stay in Hawaii, and they were all delicious.
The mochi ice cream is the best I’ve had. The skin is thin, and chewy. The ice cream on the inside is creamy and flavorful.
They have a lot of different flavors to try from. I’ve tried strawberry, mango, guava, peanut butter and chocolate, and green tea.
I also tried a slice of their ice cream cake, which was solid.