Uji Time – Japantown, San Francisco

Rating: Role Player

We turned a family milestone into a sweet celebration—our daughter finally got her braces off. The reward? A trip to Uji Time, the kind of spot where dessert feels like a victory parade.

The kids went straight for the Ube soft serve, served on playful taiyaki cones, topped with chocolate wafers and green tea Pocky sticks. Because the staff must know what happens when you hand a cone to a 10-year-old, they flipped the cones upside down into cups—smart move. Zero mess, all smiles.

The grandparents tagged along, and the kids treated them to the seasonal flavor: honey osmanthus. Same toppings, but this time they went with the traditional cone. Big mistake. By the time we sat down, ice cream was dripping everywhere—sticky hands, napkins piling up, a full-on containment mission. Grandpa didn’t care. He went after his cone with toddler-level joy, laughing, dripping, licking, making a scene in the best way possible. Honestly? That kind of pure enjoyment might’ve been the highlight of the night.

Takeaway: Uji Time is playful, messy, and worth it. If you’re celebrating something (or just need an excuse to treat yourself), it’s a win for the whole family. Pro tip—get the cup. Unless you want to embrace the chaos.