Helado Taiyaki ~ Providence

updated 10/29/24

Helado Taiyaki

102 Dean St.
Providence, Rhode Island

Update: Helado Taiyaki had added a cafe, then closed for awhile, but they're back with more seasonal treats!

I've been hearing the buzz for months, and finally was able to check out Helado Taiyaki in Providence. 

If you're unfamiliar, "helado" is Spanish for ice cream, and "taiyaki" is a Japanese fish-shaped cake, that imitates the shape of tai fish, a symbol of luck. It's commonly filled with red bean paste, but not here.

At Helado Taiyaki, you'll find the tai cakes stuffed with guava and cream cheese, chocolate, or in my case, nutella, and topped with a rotating variety of soft-serve ice cream and fun toppings.

The ice cream counter has fish scales!

Here's a rack of "naked" taiyaki, just waiting for fillings and ice cream and...

toppings! Practically a smorgasbord of stuff to go on ice cream.

Owner Linnette Lopez Torres made my "chocoholic," and it was super cute. Look at those little bears scaling Mount Ice Cream!

There was also a dusting of Mexican chocolate as well as jimmies, pocky, and a chocolate Maria biscuit. I loved the zip of the Mexican chocolate. The taiyaki was soft and chewy, and was well-served by the nutella coating or it probably would have gotten soggy. This is a two-handed, lots of napkins, delicious treat. I'm excited to try the other flavors!