Honolulu just got a whole lot sweeter and more inclusive with the opening of Niu Soft Serve’s new location in Mō‘ili‘ili, right across from Old Stadium Park. Originally making waves at ‘Ohana Hale Marketplace and Waiakamilo Road, Niu Soft Serve is a haven for those seeking plant-based and lactose-free treats, but honestly, anyone with a sweet tooth will find themselves in coconutty heaven here.
Stepping into the Mō‘ili‘ili parlor, your eyes are immediately drawn to the enticing rows of glass jars filled with topping treasures. From classic Oreo cookies and crunchy macadamia nuts to delicate biscotti, the choices are delightful. For an extra local twist, you can even have your soft serve drizzled with a vibrant strawberry li hing sauce.
Inside Niu Soft Serve's new parlor in Mō‘ili‘ili, Honolulu, featuring topping jars and a customer at the counter.
Niu Soft Serve keeps things exciting by rotating four unique flavors each week. On my visit, the tempting lineup included niu (coconut), ube, cake batter, and liliko‘i dragon fruit. As a big fan of liliko‘i and dragon fruit, I was ready to dive into those options. However, a quick chat with the friendly staff revealed the sad news – both the liliko‘i dragon fruit and cake batter had sold out. A bit of a letdown after driving from Mililani, but the promise of soft serve quickly brightened my mood.
Niu Soft Serve's weekly flavor selection including coconut (niu) and ube soft serve.
Undeterred, I opted for cups of the remaining flavors: niu and ube. For the niu, I chose toasted coconut and Fruity Pebbles as toppings ($8), while the ube was adorned with rainbow sprinkles and chewy mochi balls ($8). Cones and sundae creations are also on offer for those wanting to get even more creative.
While I’m not usually drawn to coconut-flavored desserts, ube is a flavor I consistently crave. Its distinctive taste strikes that perfect balance between savory and sweet, making it utterly addictive.
Close-up of vibrant purple ube soft serve at Niu Soft Serve, adorned with rainbow sprinkles.
The vibrant purple ube soft serve, speckled with rainbow sprinkles, and the pristine white niu, dotted with colorful Fruity Pebbles, were visually reminiscent of rainbows in a cup. Diving into the ube first, I was genuinely impressed by how Niu achieves a classic soft serve consistency without any dairy. The ube flavor profile begins with a subtle savory note that gently unfolds into a pleasing sweetness. It’s not overwhelmingly sugary, making it a fantastic match with the playful sprinkles and the satisfyingly chewy mochi balls.
Niu (coconut) soft serve with toasted coconut flakes and Fruity Pebbles toppings at Niu Soft Serve.
The niu flavor was the real surprise for me. Alongside the prominent coconut taste, there’s a lovely hint of vanilla that peeks through. The toasted coconut flakes and Fruity Pebbles added a delightful textural contrast. Like the ube, the niu soft serve maintains a balanced sweetness, comparable to the vanilla frozen yogurt at Menchie’s in terms of sugar level.
One of the best things about Niu Soft Serve is how light and guilt-free you feel after enjoying it. Being plant-based, it has a texture that falls somewhere between traditional ice cream and sorbet, leaving you feeling refreshed rather than heavy.
Despite missing out on the other flavors, my initial experience at Niu Soft Serve was truly enjoyable. Take my advice and call ahead to confirm the availability of specific flavors before making the trip. Your taste buds will thank you for discovering this dairy-free gem!
Niu Soft Serve is open Tuesday to Thursday from 1 to 8 p.m, Friday and Saturday from 1 to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. Find them at 2320 S. King St., (808) 436-3739, or online at niusoftserve.com and @niusoftserve on Instagram.
