Kori Ice-Cream Hawthorn

“Japanese inspired, Melbourne bred” is the tagline for Melbourne ice-creamery Kori. With a flagship in Hawthorn and second spot in the CBD, it’s the creation of ex-Coda chef Joane Yeoh and co-founder of South Yarra patisserie Luxbite Bernard Chu. Together, they’re handcrafting a unique set of flavours inspired by their trips abroad.

Here you’ll find 24 ice-cream flavours – including several vegan options. Some of the most popular include matcha (and matcha pistachio) and strawberry shortcake. Or you can venture into more savoury territory with flavours like miso, black sesame, dassai sake and sweet potato kuromitsu (a Japanese sugar syrup similar to molasses).

The plant-based options – including yuzu, nashi pear and even nori (don’t knock it till you try it) – range from sorbets to almond and soy milk-based mixtures. Plus, family-sized ice-cream cakes and thickshakes are on the cards for spring.

The slim heritage facade on Glenferrie Road might be discreet, but inside Kōri is anything but, with a dramatic two-tone paint job – half crisp white, half vibrant coral. The space was designed by Collingwood-based firm Architects Eat.