Everybody loves ice cream. It’s a fact set in stone. There’s nothing more comforting to our soul than sweet, frozen churned milk (or juice, if you’re lactose intolerant). But would you still consider ice cream a comfort food if it’s in an unconventional flavor like, say, fish sauce or blue cheese?
This is the question posed by 10010 Bar, an up-and-coming ice cream parlor on Soi Charoen Nakhon 10 (near ICONSIAM) that offers over 10 weird and wonderful flavors a day (the shop has been rotating more than a hundred flavors in and out of its freezer since it opened in early 2021).
Credits go to founder Kittibhoom “Ball” Harnpatanakitpanich, who left a life and career in the US to pursue his lifelong passion for ice cream back home in Thailand. Unlike other purveyors who may find it hard to fabricate a convincing backstory for an uncommon flavor, Ball has no problem revealing how 10010’s more special offerings came into play.
Fish Sauce, for instance, was born out of Ball’s voluntary work as a mentor for female convicts at Rayong Central Prison. In one class, he taught them how to use the staple condiment, heavily produced by the province, to give a new twist to ice cream. From this innovative lesson, Ball came up with 10010 Bar’s signature flavor. Forget any misgivings you may have—Fish Sauce actually tastes good, first giving off a strong hit of saltiness that’s soon followed by a sweet caramelly aftertaste.
Holy Water is another flavor worth looking into. Inspired by the Buddhist festival Māgha Pūjā, it combines olive oil and milk, which supposedly bring about a feeling of calmness and evoke soul-cleansing holiness, with zingy pepper, meant to playfully represent the stinging zaps a devil gets when being exorcised.
Other interesting flavors include one inspired by a garland, and made with milk tea infused with flowers such as jasmine and rose; another inspired by a famous cough syrup; and a yogurt with blue cheese.
10010 Bar also has more classic, less adventurous options that are no less desirable, such as vegan Chocolate Sorbet, Rum Raisin, and Peanut Butter & Boysenberry Jam. But a huge shoutout goes to Orange Juice, a refreshing flavor that’s just the perfect blend of sweet and tangy.
A scoop goes for B100. Some may find it quite pricey, but the creative flavors and the ice cream’s smooth texture assure a truly worthwhile experience.
They also serve delectable French-inspired pastries here such as kouign-amann (B100), a flaky pastry similar to a croissant, choux a la creme (B150) and many more.
