I had heard of Ice or Rice via social media before but my first visit wasn't until March 2026 when I was in the area anyway. Ice or Rice is located in Cleveland's Asiatown, surrounded by many other Asian restaurants, and has a non-descript exterior and a basic AF interior. There is also only street parking so be aware of that. I was the only customer at 1pm on a Sunday. It only took about 8 minutes for my order to be ready and packaged to go. I was going to order a poke bowl but decided against it when I saw how few ingredients there were. No edamame? Heresy! So at the last minute, I changed my plans and ordered the Thai Dog ($7) and a Spam Musubi ($4.50) and took them home with me to eat for lunch/dinner. The Thai Dog was a generously sized hot dog on a white bun with some pickled vegetables, smothered in 3 different sauces (although I did ask for light sauce). I thought it was delicious, if about $2 overpriced. I ate the Spam Musubi piece for dinner and although also very yummy (I forgot how much I enjoy the smokiness of spam!), this was definitely overpriced at $4.50. I have seen spam musubi usually cost about $3. I won't harp on too much about the price though. Haha! There are lots of other restaurants in the area but Ice or Rice is centrally located and is great for grab and go meals. I LOVE all the Hawaiian dishes on there as well! I think I would come back to try another unique item if I am in the area in the future. read more

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In my continuing adventures in the Cleveland food scene, I found myself in AsiaTown at Rice or Ice, and I, of course, wound up with both rice *and* ice. We started with an order of edamame, then I got a shrimp tempura poke bowl - crispy shrimp over a generous bowl of lettuce, seaweed salad and fluffy rice. The shrimp was a little greasy (microwaved and reheated?) but it did the job. And afterwards, I got the strawberry shaved ice - a heaping bowl of ice topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sliced strawberries, drizzled with strawberry sauce and condensed milk. Overall, a filling meal. If you're a fan of either rice or ice, this place is for you! read more

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Came here at the behest of my daughters. We came strictly for dessert after having declined the dessert option after dinner at a different restaurant. We got 3 items to share: coffee jelly, Japanese flan, and... At first we tried to order their mango shaved ice. The owner said that she can make it for us, but suggested that since mangoes are not in season, they don't taste the greatest right now, so she suggested strawberries. Makes sense, so we went with it. The coffee jelly was strong and creamy. It was good. The flan was also very good. Being Filipino, I'm used to a richer and silkier flan. This Japanese version was lighter, but still pretty silky. The strawberry shaved ice is huge! Good for sharing. Their shaved ice is such a fine and perfect texture that I've never had anywhere else. Usually, shaved ice I've had in the past is at least partially crunchy. Their shaved ice here is very fine - like freshly fallen, powdery snow. Great stuff! Will be back! read more

Ice or Rice Cafe - Shaved ice dessert with strawberry and ice cream - Bubble Tea Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Ice or Rice Cafe is a little cafe in Cleveland's AsiaTown. I first discovered this cafe during AsiaTown hike and learned that the owners proudly reside in the neighborhood. I then rediscovered this spot during my bookclub's meeting. We read international reads, and read a book about Japan. The book featured rice balls and hot dogs that were both on the menu (rice balls weren't available during our visit). AMBIANCE: Small cafe with neutral walls and faux marble tables. There are about 4 tables that can cater to solo diners, couples, or small groups. We arrived in a group of 7, combined two tables, and were seated very comfortably. If you're into casual vibes, this place will quickly become a favorite. FOOD: The base cuisine is Asian with major Hawaiian inspo (like Hawaiian plates). It's an interesting fusion concept to try. Essentially there are two primary food paths - ice (shaved sweet ice) or rice (bowls). Why pick one path through if both lead to tasty foods? Our table ordered a variety of food - edamame, sushi, hot dogs, pancake (Okonomiyaki), poke bowl, and coffee jelly. We shared bites across the table in communal style. Edamame was a generous serving, lightly cooked, and salted. I really loved that it wasn't overwhelmed with any sauce. Hot dog meat was delicious, clearly not some cheap meat. Poke bowl was a generous serving and tasty. I could pick one protein (chose salmon), 3 proteins (chose cucumbers, avocado, and corn), and sauce (chose teriyaki). My only criticism is that the salmon was way too cold and not tender like in other traditional poke bowls. In terms of value, I spent $16 something for the poke bowl and coffee jelly. My favorite Coffee Jelly deserves major recognition and its own paragraph. I was first charmed by this dessert during the AsiaTown tour, and HAD TO have it during my book club visit. It's essentially a jelly with coffee pour over served cold. I'm not even a jelly person but this is among my favorite desserts in the city. It's so unusual and tasty. Coffee is also very smooth. I shared my prized possession with a few book club friends and they all loved their little bites. If you'll try anything here, go for the coffee jelly! SERVICE: The service is friendly. The owners or employees (not sure which one) ensure that you like your experience and ask how everything was. Be sure that you aren't pressed for time when visiting because the service is usually slower but meals built precisely. I plan to be back for more coffee jelly. Prior to going I plan to research how coffee jelly is usually consumed. Like what do I pair it with? What time of the day is recommended? It's such a good dessert that I want to have a whole experience around it. Go try it! read more

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Saw this place on the asiatown Cleveland Instagram and dropped everything to get here immediately. Did not disappoint! I have been craving their spam masubi ever since we left and this is from someone who was very apprehensive to even try it. Everyone was so kind and it seemed like they even had some regulars who they were happy to see again (which ofc they did because I mentioned I'm still craving LOL) It's pretty plain inside but carry out and quality food seem to be the focuses so it's understandable! (Clean too, and with seating if you do decide not to take to go!) go here!!! Already planning my next order read more

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Tasty interesting menu with various fast casual options. The pork belly cabbage pancake was unique and had a barbecue charred outside and no actual pork belly chunks which was a bummer. The chicken karate was very moist and rather bland. The poke bowl was tasty! read more

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Spam musubi and loco moco were so good! Staff was also very friendly! The mango ice was very tasty and not too sweet!

Ice or Rice is a cute newer diner in Asia-town. It is very no frills and the food is very good. There was one staff member managing the register and food preparation. She appeared very busy and was doing a great job. My son was thrilled to have found Spam Musubi and even went back the next day with friends. I am not aware of another restaurant serving Spam Musubi in the area. The Japanese pancake was delicious as well and a very plentiful serving. We had no problem finding street parking. The building was very clean and accessible. This establishment is a nice addition to the Asia- town area. read more

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Ice or Rice attempts to fill the Japanese food void in Asiatown. I'd previously enjoyed the okonomiyaki at Night Markets, but unfortunately my experience at the new brick and mortar was very solidly in the okay camp. There's no parking lot here, so you'll have to park on the street out front, which usually isn't too busy. The inside is new and renovated but still feels a little tacky, with bare walls and the gray banquette not quite thicc-friendly. Pop music was playing at an awkwardly low volume, so the background noise without other diners is likely to be the staff talking to each other in Cantonese. The staff are very friendly and patient, allowing you to leisurely browse the menus and handwritten signage for current specials like shaved ice and taiyaki. You can watch the cold dishes being made right at the counter, while frying and grilling seems to occur behind the curtains in the back. Everything is made to order, which means it's fresh - but also, that when I wanted my tuna poke, it hadn't thawed out yet and I had to opt for salmon instead. After ordering at the counter, you can take a seat and food will be brought directly to your table. The Spam Musubi was good, but similar to what my friends and I have made before, and the sushi was also satisfying but also would not be my go to for either high quality sushi or for cheap but filling sushi. I was hoping the poke bowl would come with more than just fish and rice, but instead found myself paying for each topping rather than having some options built into the base price like at other places. We were excited to try the highly advertised okonomiyaki - but they realized they had forgotten to tell the kitchen after we were waiting around after finishing our other items and finally asked them about its status. Ultimately, food was fine but I left feeling underwhelmed by the offerings and hiccups in workflow. Hoping to see some new items and improvement in the future before I return. read more

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Cute little cozy spot for a quick meal to go or a light snack inside. Clean decor and cheerful service by Rachel, one of the owners. I had the passion fruit lemonade and she added some boba to it for fun. There boba teas and sparkling lemonades as well as pan-Asian snacks, such as oniyiguri (sp?) which I didn't get to taste. Next time! read more

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I don't know what's better, the okonomiyaki or the wonderful lady who runs the place! Make sure you try it and get her milk tea. It's honestly the best around! The owner is the sweetest and the restaurant is always clean and inviting. read more

Out shopping on the West Side and figured I would stop at Ice or Rice Cafe on my way home to give them a try. Located in a small building on Payne you will find a nice tidy cafe serving Japanese items. The inside is very clean and modern, light blue walls, hanging pendant lights, a few tables and a service counter. The menu has sushi, onogiri, okonomiyaki, poke bowls, and teas and drinks. I decided to try the shrimp okonomiyaki since the okonomiyaki place in Van Aken closed. You pay up front at the counter and then they make the food. The place was busy, but the pancake came out in a reasonable time. The okonomiyaki was beautiful, nicely cooked then topped with mayo, the okonomiyaki sauce, scallions and bonito flakes. The pancake was very nice with cabbage and tiny shrimp. Really tasty with sweet and tangy flavors, plenty of different textures. I really enjoyed my visit to Ice or Rice Cafe, this is a great place to grab a bite to eat and drinks. This is a nice casual place with great food. I would recommend you give them a try. read more

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Loved! This place. Stopped in with my partner for the first time today and got some veggie okonomiyaki and sushi - both were amazing! There were lots of good vegetarian options to choose from. Place was clean and staff there were very nice read more

With a very clean and relaxed environment, quick service, and very kind folk behind the counter, Ice or Rice has both exactly what your looking for if you're in need of a hearty dinner or a refreshing dessert. I've been there a couple times and they have my favorite onigiri of any of the places I've tried in Cleveland (though to be fair it hasn't been many). Their okonomiyaki is filling and delicious, and their spam masubi is just the same. This most recent time I had an onigiri, the soam masubi and their mango shaved ice, and though the price is a bit steep, when you see the size of your dessert you'll understand. Highly recommend, even if you're just looking for a quick snack. read more

Ice or Rice Cafe - mango shaved ice cream - Bubble Tea Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Great overall experience. Went in to order. You order at the front and they bring everything out. Staff are friendly are personable. Ordered salmon onigiri, drink, and loco moco lunch plate. Lunch plate was super delicious. Gravy was fantastic and beef Pattie had lots of flavor. Super happy this little establishment exists. read more

Ice or Rice Cafe - Salmon onigiri - Bubble Tea Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Super fresh and yummy sushi at a value...and perhaps the best inari we've ever had! The restaurant itself is cozy and modern, and the staff is incredibly friendly. By fresh-rolled sushi standards, our food came out very quickly. read more

I'd stick to the meals they advertise, which are clearly their specialties: The onigiri, the Japanese pancake (okonomiyaki), and their hot dogs. The pork song and Hawaiian steak (spam) onigiri are my personal favorites, and the tuna's not bad. Their curry pork cutlet wasn't too bad, but if you want a proper tonkatsudon, go to Otani Noodle. I have yet to try their Poke bowls or shaved ice desserts, but they both sound promising. Very friendly service, too! read more

Food: The okonomiyaki was very good! The shrimp okonomiyaki had tiny shrimps scattered throughout the pancake. It also had the perfect amount of okonomiyaki sauce, mayo, powdered seaweed, scallions, and bonito flakes. The salmon onigiri also had a good ratio of salmon and sauce. Service: The workers were very nice to everyone and the food came out quickly. Ambiance: Very clean and modern looking! read more

Ice or Rice Cafe - Shrimp Okonomiyaki $11 and Salmon Nigiri $4.50 - Bubble Tea Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I have been looking forward to the opening of Ice or Rice Cafe for a while. I first got to know them at the Asian Night Markets and the YouTube videos. I even attended a ramen class that Andy taught. I gained an appreciation for onigiri in San Francisco, so I was excited to hear they would be featured on the menu. I very much enjoyed all four onigiri on my first visit, but my favorite was the tuna. The iced milk tea was perfect. The counter workers were efficient and super friendly. They even offered the table next to us a onigiri for them to try when they asked about what I was eating. I can't wait to go back and try the okonomiyaki and other items on the menu. Knowing that the Cafe is run by Andy's brother, who is a health inspector, makes me confident that the restaurant and kitchen will always be immaculately clean and the food top-notch. I can see this becoming a favorite spot for me. read more

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I saw that this new cafe opened up down the street from some of my favorite spots so I decided to give it a try when I had some extra time. I was greeted by the friendly staff when I walked in and took a second to look at the menu. It's a cute small spot with pretty blue walls and a couple seating places. I ordered the salmon onigiri and the passion fruit sparkling lemonade. It came out in no time and both were so good! Very tasty and light for a midday snack. I definitely recommend!!! read more

Ice or Rice Cafe - Salmon onigiri and passion fruit sparkling lemonade - Bubble Tea Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Clean, quiet, and I can get fresh onigiri!! It's so simple but it's one of the things I miss most absout Japan.

We saw the new shop at the Asia town festival and couldn't wait to try it. I went with my sister and her friends and the food was delicious! We ordered way too much and had to take stuff home, but I'm so glad we did because we got to try a bit of everything. The staff was so kind and patient with us. We can't wait to go back! read more

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Great, quick food. I've eaten takeout from here several times and it's always been hot, fresh, flavorful and quick.

Have gone back many times for the veggie and cream cheese roll! Very friendly and accommodating staff. Very clean inside.