Kind Kones -Vegan Ice Cream, Plaza Damansara

Kind Kones Plaza Damansara

Words: Jason Anom
Photos: Monica Tindall

Aficionados of plant-based desserts may be familiar with Kind Kones, a legendary vegan brand with outlets both here and in Singapore. With vegan plant-based ice cream bars spanning two countries, the group recently celebrated its latest addition in Plaza Damansara. 

Opened in March 2023, the new location sits on the first floor of a corner shop lot in the vibrant neighbourhood plaza. As we walked up the stairs, the smell of freshly baked cones ensured we didn’t skip a step. Then, as we opened the door to the bright space filled with natural light, the array of vegan, dairy-free frozen desserts reeled us in.

From cosy seating near the counters to the more open, larger seating area in the front, this new Kind Kones outlet is a comfy spot to relax as you enjoy vegan (and many gluten-free) desserts. 

Kind Kones Menu – Plaza Damansara

Kind Kones offers more beyond the wide array of vegan ice cream: there are also bliss balls, cakes and cookies. They pride themselves on being plant-based and free from dairy, egg, refined sugar and other additives, with a focus on gluten-free options, and this shows as we sample their selection.

Ice Cream

With 17 different flavours on display, it took a while for us to figure out what we wanted. Most ice creams are either coconut, almond or cashew milk-based, or fruit-based in the case of sorbets. Servings come in three sizes (Junior Scoop, RM12.50; Regular Scoop, RM15.50; Double Scoop, RM21.50), and you can have your choice of homemade waffle cones (Flourless Gluten-Free, RM4.50; Wholemeal, RM2.50). If you are so inclined, you can also opt for a Take Home Pint (RM45), which is nicely packed in a cool bag for take away.

Fortunately, the staff are happy to allow you to sample flavours before committing to a whole scoop. This is both a safety measure, but also a cautionary tale – i.e. they all taste good, so after trying several you’re right back to the beginning in terms of decision-making. In the end, we chose based on colour.

The “Mango Raspberry Swirl,” a gluten- and soy-free option, is a pretty concoction with the base gold colour of the mango and nice streaks of maroon from the raspberry. This amazing combination of mango, raspberry and lemon has a smooth sorbet texture. It’s refreshing and perfect for cooling down on a warm afternoon.

The hue of the “Blue Planet” comes from the natural colouring of the butterfly pea flower. This pretty coconut, cashew, and almond milk ice cream goes down very well. The bits of matcha cake, which give it distinctive streaks of brown-green, not only represent pieces of land on earth but also add extra bite and texture. It paired very well with the wholemeal cone.

The distinctive red-orange “Watermelon Strawberry Mint Sorbet” is an explosion of complementary flavours from the namesake ingredients – neither of which overpowers the other.

While it might sound a little mainstream compared to the options above, the “Almond Brittle Fudge” holds its own. This gluten-free option, with a base of coconut and cashew milk, has a good crunch to it from the almonds and cacao nibs.

Superfood Bliss Balls

We would be quite content beginning and ending with ice cream, but Kind Kones’ desserts are definitely worth checking out, too! Do not let the small size of the Superfood Bliss Balls fool you. These are densely packed bites of flavour and texture. If you’re into distance running or cycling, these might be good alternatives to fuel up instead of an energy gel or the usual granola bar.

The Cranberry Fig Chia Bliss Ball (RM6) may look like the plainer of the bunch. Still, it has a nice natural sweetness from the cranberry and fig, giving it a deep, rich depth of flavour. The Chocolate Pistachio Bliss Ball (RM6) is delightfully nutty and full of bite. It made me think of a trail mix rolled into a ball. The Lemon, Vanilla & Coconut Cashew Bliss Ball (RM6) was oh-so-cute with a light dusting of desiccated coconut. The Matcha Coconut Bliss Ball (RM6) had a unique density – dense in texture and flavour that popped with every bite.

Interestingly, the Maca Espresso (RM6) looks like a chocolate truffle. With its cacao powder coat, it abounds with a distinctive depth, much like an espresso, but without bitterness at the end. Lastly, the Chocolate Hazelnut Bliss Ball (RM7) was my fave, with dairy-free chocolate chips and dates rolled in crushed hazelnuts.  

Cakes

If the Superfood Bliss Balls sound like disguised healthy treats, don’t worry, the rest of the cakes are pure indulgence. With our love of peanut butter it was hard to choose between The Peanut Butter and Caramel Chocolate Bar (RM12.90) and No-bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake (RM16.90), so we had both.

The former is a deceptively simple oblong shape with a decadently rich, creamy filling covered in dark chocolate. A small mouthful bursts with the crushed peanuts and almonds on top, and you get hints of tahini and peanut butter throughout.

With layers of chocolate, nuts and coconut milk, the No-bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake has all the elements of a delicious cheesecake, only without the dairy. The texture is smooth and creamy, with chunks of walnuts, peanuts and cashews inside, giving it extra crunch.

Plant-based Ice Cream KL

If you are looking for dairy-free, plant-based, gluten- or soy-free desserts, then Kind Kones is an excellent spot to start. With ample seating space in the front, facing the bright, open windows, their new outlet in Plaza Damansara is suitable for small gatherings or family get-togethers. With the wide array of flavours, from the adventurous and colourful to the safe and plain vanilla, Kind Kones is an excellent gateway to plant-based desserts (even if you’re not vegan). Now, how many Superfood Bliss Balls can I pack into my bicycle’s top tube compartment?

Reasons to visit Kind Kones Plaza Damansara: lovely green views from the elevated position; plenty of seating; absolutely delicious plant-based desserts; the best vegan ice cream we have tried to date.

Kind Kones Plaza Damansara
81M, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Plaza Damansara,
50490, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
@kindkones

Kind Kones Plaza Damansara Opening Hours
Daily: 12 pm – 10 pm

More vegetarian and vegan restaurants in KL here and stay up-to-date with the latest gourmet and travel recommendations for Malaysia here and here.