Open since Septemeber 2022, Asian-inspired ice cream shop Sugar Koi in Cary features intriguing flavors and an inspiring backstory.
If Thailand native and upbeat owner Nat Jirasawad looks familiar, it’s because for two decades he was positioned front and center as a sushi chef at Sushi Thai Cary. But a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease seven years ago ultimately forced him to put down his knives for good and pivot to another passion.
“I knew there had to be a career change, so I decided to try something totally different,” Jirasawad said with a broad smile.
Nat grew up making homemade ice cream with his mother and sister. Nowadays he fashions ice cream derived from family recipes. Vintage ice cream scoops, a dozen of which belonged to his mother, hang on the shop’s walls.
At Sugar Koi, scratch-made ice cream creations like matcha green tea, ube (concocted from a purple yam originally from the Philippines), and gluten-free lychee sorbet offer distinctive choices for guests.
Owner Nat Jirasawad offers service with a smile.
“The toasted coconut ice cream is a staple item, and it’s made from my mother’s recipe,” Jirasawad revealed.
Additional popular flavors include cotton candy, Thai tea, cappuccino crunch, mint chocolate chip, and brown butter bourbon truffle.
Jirasawad rotates new, unconventional flavors into the case each month.
“I’m always experimenting with flavors like tamarind, chili lime, and even wasabi,” he said.
Extraordinary, Instagram-worthy koiyaki waffle cones are made from a special batter Jirasawad created through a meticulous trial-and-error process.
“The cone is crunchy on the outside and cakelike on the inside,” he explained.
Nat Jirasawad, owner, Sugar Koi
Ice cream toppings range from mini chocolate chips and M&Ms to rainbow sprinkles and Fruity Pebbles cereal.
Sugar Koi also offers a variety of hot and cold beverages, including lattes, mochas, and other java-centric offerings sourced from Raleigh Coffee Company.
For something entirely different, try a Ramune Japanese soda or — our favorite drink from a recent visit — a Moshi sparkling yuzu.
There are also Japanese Pocky stick snacks, bags of Carada rice balls, and whimsical toys for children.
“I love making people happy with all the different options,” Jirasawad said.
Sugar Koi is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m. Fittingly, the shop is located just a few doors down from Sushi Thai Cary.
Sugar Koi
116 Kilmayne Drive, Cary
(919) 757-2399
sugarkoi.com
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