Korean Bingsoo Cafe- Somi Somi and Sul & Beans

mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog with this short post about desserts. Cathy is writing this post.

This location used to be Caffé Bene; food and desserts were offered. There are reminders of Bene on the door handles and in other places of the building.  It has now been turned into two businesses which share the seating area and only offer dessert items.

To the left, the order area of Sul & Beans is the same as Bene, with Bingsoo, toasts, coffees and ice-based beverage offerings.
 We tried a pomegranate mint drink ($4.65), which is served in this cute reusable cup (which has a lid you can use with a straw or drink from directly) and included clear but flavored (I think lychee) jelly strips at the bottom. Very refreshing. Both the mint and the pomegranate were distinct flavors.
Going in the front door then to the right gets you to the Somi-Somi counter, which has a fairly simple ordering system.  There are only four soft serve ice creams offered each week and two of each are offered as a swirl (you know, because they are in the same machine).  The taiyaki- a fresh made waffle 'ice cream cone' shaped like an open mouth fish is the primary conduit, but you can get your soft serve in a cup and have the fish waffle (with a choice of fillings) on the side (as we did).  There are also various toppings available at the pick up area.  
Here's one of the waffle makers and some of the fresh baked taiyaki ready for filling. 

We ordered the Ube-Matcha soft serve ice cream swirl 'upside down' (in a cup) ($6.41) and chose custard as the filling (other filling choices are red beans, Nutella and taro) and asked for a macaron rusk as the topping.  The matcha did have a mild tannin 'bite' and was not overwhelming.  The ube was not overly ube (I like tasting the 'starchy' component); it was pleasantly sweet with a slight nutty background taste.  Still, it was refreshing (and pretty). A good size serving to share.  The macaron rusk was delicate and did have a good almond flavor.  The waffle/taiyaki is wonderful, so fresh, lightly sweet and crunchy with a slight chew.  

We will be returning to try other menu offerings and flavors.

Sul & Beans 4620 C0nvoy Street San Diego 92111 (858) 278-2204 Website Open daily noon- 11 p.m.

Somi Somi 4620 Convoy Street San Diego 92111 (858) 939-0388 Website Open Daily noon-11 p.m. 

Comments

[kat]

yummy! I think we have a somi somi here in hawaii too.

[caninecologne]

I remember seeing their sign at the trash can, "Please do not take the bingsoo bowl". They have some nice flavor combos for the drinks.

The ube matcha soft serve swirl is really pretty. I like that the ice cream cone can be served upside down. Holding it as a cone may look "cute for the gram" (ha ha) but it is more bothersome, at least for me.

[Cathy]

Somi Somi is a great concept, Kat; I do like a fresh made waffle and the soft serve is a bonus. You should try it!

Oh, Caffé Bene had some problems, cc- The trash cans are the same, but the Bingsoo bowls are larger from Sul & Beans; theft would be obvious. The beverage choices are interesting and tasty. I'd rather eat the waffle cone separately with its filling and then taste the soft serve (black sesame and also banana are flavors I would like to try).

[Loren]

Love Somi Somi, it's one of the only "ice cream" places I go where a cone is non-negotiable, you must get it. I think it's also pretty amazing that it's become such a hit across the board, don't think I could've imagined as a kid lining up and wanting Sweet Potato flavored ice cream :).

[Cathy]

Very true, Loren! I do know that there have been cravings for the 'cone only' at times, but then there's a flavor never thought of, just waiting to be tried.