Ihalo Krunch is a new ice cream spot in Toronto, and the first in the city to offer black ice cream. Their signature black or “goth” ice cream is coloured with activated charcoal. Charcoal absorbs light very well, causing the products—especially the waffle cone—to be jet black.

There have been line ups almost every day outside the store front since Ihalo Krunch opened their doors.

Everything Ihalo Krunch makes is made in-house, including their signature black soft serve ice cream and black ice cream waffle cones. There are three colours to choose from, each with their own unique flavours:

• White, the most classic and traditional ice cream flavour on offer, is vanilla-flavoured
• Black, coloured with activate charcoal, is coconut flavoured
• Green is match flavoured
• Purple, the most interesting to me due to its deep colour, is flavoured with ube, a unique root vegetable used in Filipino cuisine similar to a yam

You can get each flavour on its own or in a swirled combination.

The ice cream is surprisingly delicious! I thought that due to its viral adoption and hip and trendy look, its appearance would be its only offering and that it wouldn’t taste that good, but I stand corrected! All three of the flavours were delicious, and some of the best soft serve I’ve ever had in Toronto.

If you’re not in a hurry, Ihalo Krunch is definitely worth the visit and waiting in line for. Grab a cone and take a stroll in the park. Pro tip: grab some extra napkins as it will melt and leak through the bottom of the cone! Perhaps avoid wearing light-coloured bottoms to avoid having to clean up any stains!

Ihalo Krunch is located on Queen Street West in Toronto across the street from Trinity Bellwoods Park at 915 Queen St. West, Toronto, Canada.