Moo Shu Ice Cream Ottawa Review – Incredible Waffle Cone but Disappointing Black Sesame Flavour – Average EV Score: 5.6/10

Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa

Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.

Moo Shu Ice Cream & Kitchen Overview

1130 Wellington St. W Unit 1, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2Z3

Moo Shu Ice Cream has been a favourite in Ottawa for years, and it’s a place that many people in the city still talk about when the subject of ice cream comes up. They originally operated on Bank Street, where they built up a loyal following and became known for their small-batch, Asian-inspired flavours. After moving, they are now located at 1130 Wellington St. W, Unit 1, in Hintonburg.

The new location feels modern and stylish, fitting the creative energy of Hintonburg. That said, it also comes with some drawbacks. There’s no dedicated parking lot, so you’ll need to rely on street parking, which can be a bit tricky depending on the time of day. The shop itself has limited seating, making it more of a grab-and-go spot than a place to linger for long stretches of time.

Despite those challenges, Moo Shu remains a very popular spot. It’s common to hear people recommend it when talking about where to get ice cream in Ottawa, and in the summer, the shop usually draws a steady stream of customers. A lot of that reputation is built on their creative, small-batch flavours and their signature waffle cone, which has become almost as famous as the ice cream itself.

The staff at Moo Shu are friendly and welcoming, making the experience pleasant even if you do need to wait in line or hunt for parking. Service is quick and efficient, so even on busier days, it doesn’t feel overwhelming.

Would return?: Yes, for other flavours and definitely for the waffle cone.

Ice Cream – Black Sesame (vegan)

😋 Enjoyment: 5.6/10

💰 Price Paid: $7

🎯 Benchmark Price: $6

📊 EV Score: 5.6/10

🔁 Order Again?: No.

Black sesame is usually one of my favourite ice cream flavours because of its distinctive nutty, roasted taste. Unfortunately, this scoop fell flat. It lacked the bold, fragrant sesame flavour I was expecting — so much so that it was nearly flavourless. If I hadn’t known what I ordered, I probably wouldn’t have been able to guess it was supposed to be black sesame at all.

On the positive side, the texture was smooth and creamy, which is impressive for a vegan option. It just needed much more flavour to stand out.

What really saved the experience was the waffle cone. This wasn’t your average cone — it was light, crisp, and had a unique texture that reminded me almost of deep-fried taro. It added crunch without being too heavy, and it paired beautifully with the ice cream, even if the flavour itself didn’t impress me. Honestly, the cone alone is worth coming back for, and I’d happily order it with a different scoop next time.

---

Final Thoughts

Moo Shu Ice Cream has earned its place as one of Ottawa’s most talked-about ice cream shops, and its reputation is well deserved in some respects. They’ve made a name for themselves with their creative, Asian-inspired flavours and their incredible waffle cones, and even though not every flavour hits the mark, the overall experience is still appealing.

The new Hintonburg location comes with both positives and negatives. On the plus side, it’s a vibrant neighbourhood that suits Moo Shu’s creative image. On the downside, the lack of a parking lot and limited seating make it less convenient than some might like. It’s not the kind of place you’d bring a big group to sit and eat, but it works well for grabbing a cone to enjoy while strolling the neighbourhood.

The staff are friendly, and the service is efficient, which helps balance some of those logistical inconveniences. And while this particular scoop of black sesame ice cream was disappointing, I’m still curious to try their other flavours to see how they measure up. Given how many people I know who rave about Moo Shu, I suspect some of their other creations would be much stronger.

At the end of the day, Moo Shu is a spot I’d recommend with a caveat: don’t judge it based on one flavour alone. Go for the waffle cone, and try a couple of different scoops to see which ones stand out. Even if the black sesame was a letdown, the cone itself was one of the best I’ve ever had, and that alone makes Moo Shu worth a return visit.