While I have long known that India likes spicy things, never did I expect that this would extend to ice-cream. At Buza Scoopa in Gangtok it not only exists, it is bloody good.
If you prefer something a bit more vanilla, pun very much intended, then you will be pleased to know that Buza Scoopa not only offers a plethora of other flavours, but that it is probably the best ice-cream in Gangtok.
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What is Buza Scoopa?
Buza Scoopa was launched in late 2020 by three partners, at least according to the Interwebz. They had a mutual interest in artisanal ice-cream and wanted to introduce it to Sikkim, apparently being among the first to do so in the state.
Hemant, the owner we met on our trip, told us that prior to founding the place he had worked all over India, including a stint in Bollywood. There was though no place like home, according to him, and that is why he is back in Gangtok doing his thing.
The stall has a great location just off Gandhi Marg, tucked down a narrow lane between shops and tea stalls, making it feel like a proper hidden gem.
The Buza Scoopa Menu
At first glance, the menu looks fairly normal, but look closer and it gets properly creative. They have salted caramel, popcorn, cheesecake, and a whole bunch of other artisanal stuff that tastes exactly like it should. Then the fun begins with the weird and wonderful scoops.
Here is what you will find, with an explanation of each:
- Pink Guava Twist – fruity, slightly tangy and creamy all at once. Tastes like a tropical vacation in a cone, bright, fresh and perfect if you want something light. REAL FRUIT!!!
- Dark Matter – charcoal-based, almost black in colour, with a subtle earthy sweetness. Looks dramatic on Instagram but tastes smooth, rich and very clean.
- Salted Caramel – the classic done right. Sweet but balanced by salt, creamy without being sickly. Simple, satisfying and a favourite for most visitors.
- Ratangiri Mango – uses real fresh mango pulp, not concentrate. Juicy, tropical and almost sorbet-like but still creamy. One of the most refreshing flavours on the menu.
- Charcoal & Black Sesame – nutty, smoky and slightly bitter, but balanced with creamy sweetness. Strange at first, brilliant after the first bite.
- Masala Chai – a proper chai-spiced ice cream. Aromatic with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and black pepper, clean, creamy and actually tastes like spiced tea frozen into ice cream.
- Nolen Gur – local jaggery ice cream. Sweet, caramel-like flavour, earthy and rich, a taste of Sikkim in a scoop.
- Deadly Dallay – chili-infused. Sweet, spicy, dark and completely unhinged. It should not work, but somehow it does. Sweet and savory at once, like nothing else in Gangtok.
All scoops are around 100 rupees and served in a cup or waffle cone. Flavours rotate depending on season and fresh ingredients, so you never know what inventive twist they’ll have on offer next.
How Does it Taste?
I tried nearly everything on the menu, but I’ll start with the more “normal” stuff. Top of my list would have to be the popcorn ice-cream, which tasted and smelled exactly as its name suggests. Sweet without being overbearing and just great.
My other favourites were the fruit varietals, such as the mango, which uses real fresh mango pulp rather than concentrate. In many ways it tastes almost like a sorbet, again without being too sweet.
It is the fresh produce, intense flavours, and inventive presentation that makes this probably the best ice-cream in Gangtok. But it does not end there, because we have not even begun to look at the spicy stuff.
Spicy Ice-Cream at Buza Scoopa
I will start in first gear and ease you in. There’s the Masala Chai. For the uninitiated, masala chai is spiced tea, something excellent in Sikkim and a favourite of mine. This ice-cream was spot on for both smell and taste while still being genuinely enjoyable.
Then there’s the Deadly Dallay, which is wild, dark, and something that just should not work. This reminded me of the kind of things you get in Mexico that are sweet, savory, spicy, and just should not go together. Honestly, I didn’t know what to think, while also not being able to stop trying it. Six hours later and I am still unsure of what I think of it. What I do know is that I am so glad I tried it.
Best of the Rest in Gangtok
In case you missed the memo, I am calling this the best ice-cream in Gangtok and perhaps even Sikkim. But there are at least a few other decent joints.
Vadilal Ice Cream is a reliable Indian brand with classic flavours. Baskin Robbins is there if you want something familiar and safe. Creme Glacia Ice Cream Parlour is quieter and less experimental but still worth a visit. None of these come close to the creativity, freshness, or boldness of Buza Scoopa, but they are fine if you just want a simple scoop after a day of wandering Gandhi Marg.
Where Can I Get the Best Ice-Cream in Gangtok?
Name: Buza Scoopa
Address: New Market, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, opposite Hotel Tashi Delek, Vishal Gaon, Gangtok, Sikkim 737101, India
Hours: 10am to 9pm daily
Phone: +91 99335 53397
Instagram: @buzascoopa.
This is a small artisanal shop where flavours rotate. If you want Masala Chai or Deadly Dallay, make sure to ask before you go. The staff are friendly and happy to recommend the day’s specials.
Click to check my Sikkim Tours with YPT.