SomiSomi, the Los Angeles-born dessert chain known for its fish-shaped taiyaki stuffed with soft-serve, has quietly slipped into Central Austin with its first local outpost at The Linc. The shop began serving warm, filled taiyaki and swirled soft-serve in April, giving the neighborhood a new handheld dessert fix.
According to Community Impact, the store opened on April 10 at 6406 N. I-35 Frontage Road and is the first SomiSomi franchise in the Austin area. The outlet reports that the shop sits inside The Linc shopping center and lays out the basics of what locals will find on the menu.
Menu and fillings
The Austin location sticks to SomiSomi’s build-your-own setup. Diners pick a soft-serve style, including ah-boong, cup or upside-down, then select a filling such as Nutella, custard, red bean, matcha custard or black sesame, along with toppings like Captain Crunch, Oreo crumbs or fresh strawberries, per SomiSomi. The chain’s site lists a long lineup of add-ons so people can mix textures and flavors, and it notes that seasonal varieties and limited-time fillings occasionally rotate through individual shops.
What to try
For a classic comfort combo, milk soft-serve with a custard filling and a sprinkle of Oreo crumbs brings a straightforward contrast of creamy and crunchy. If you are chasing something richer, Nutella filling with ube or salted-caramel swirls is already a fan favorite at other SomiSomi locations. The warm taiyaki shell keeps everything neatly handheld while adding that crisp, waffle-like chew.
Location and drinks
Community Impact also highlights a small drink lineup that includes cold brew, cold brew floats and strawberry milk, giving North I-35 visitors a coffee-plus-dessert stop in one hit. The Linc storefront adds another quick option for shoppers and students moving through the area, and weekend lines may start to build as word gets around about the new dessert spot.
SomiSomi’s official site currently flags the shop with the note “SOMISOMI Austin The Linc is Now Open” and directs visitors to its menu and location finder for details on hours and rotating flavors. Per SomiSomi, menus and seasonal items can change, so it is worth checking online before heading out. The new outpost gives Austinites a convenient way to tap into the taiyaki-plus-soft-serve trend that has been sweeping dessert shops across the United States.
