Dreamy Asian Desserts and Drinks Are Moving Into Mira Mesa

Nobibi, a new Asian ice cream dessert and drink café, is coming to San Diego. Backed by OneV Capital Partners, an Orange County-based commercial real estate investment company, the brand already operates stores in the California city of Chino Hills as well as Beaverton, Oregon.

Brian Nguyen, the group’s managing principal, told Eater that they’re still in lease negotiations but they intend to open an outpost in the Mira Mesa neighborhood by the end of this year.

Nobibi’s desserts have been dreamt up by partner, Shirley Shinn, whose confections include the Dream Cloud, which features a scoop of ice cream floating in a pillow of house-made cotton candy, topped with rock candy and Pocky sticks. She uses freeze-dried strawberry sprinkles as strawberry “blush” to add more fruity flavor to a parfait layered with ice cream, fresh strawberries, crystal boba, Pocky, and cornflakes.

Nobibi

There are also specialty ice cream cones: the Ninja features activated black charcoal and black sesame ice cream while the luxurious D’Or gilds the ice cream with a sheet of 24-carat gold and the S’more gets topped with popcorn and a toasted marshmallow. The menu extends to made-to-order Hong Kong egg waffles, which can be paired with ice cream or filled with sweet and savory ingredients ranging from red bean and brown sugar boba to cheese and pork floss.

Nobibi

Highlights from the drink menu include a series of Dalgona drinks with taro or caramel paste and fruit-based drinks like lychee dragon fruit, along with a full selection of coffees and teas.

Nobibi’s corporate headquarters and flagship store will be located in Irvine, set to open in 2024. They also plan on carrying designed merchandise like T-shirts, caps, tote bags, and cell phone cases. The goal is to open 20 stores by the end of 2025, which will include additional locations in Los Angeles and Orange County such as Claremont (opens August 1), Eastvale (opens September 1), Costa Mesa, and Brea.