Duo Duo has been on the radar for some time, originally gaining a following as a food truck known for its fried ice cream long before its sister store, Kuki, opened in Darling Square specialising in premium cookies.
Although the menu previously included doughnuts, the current focus is streamlined: drinks, gelato, and their signature fried ice cream, all with distinct East and South East Asian flavour profiles.
Pandan with a Passion (front) — Featuring pandan gelato in a light green hue, with swirls of passionfruit and coconut dacquoise, this flavour was both vibrant and balanced. The pandan delivered a light, grassy vanilla-like note, immediately noticeable, while the tropical tang of the passionfruit provided a surprising but complementary contrast. The inclusion of coconut in dacquoise form added texture and a sweet crunch, enhancing the tropical pairing without overwhelming the pandan.
Black Sesame Magic (back) — Vanilla bean gelato served as the base, speckled with generous chunks of black sesame fudge and cookie pieces. The black sesame flavour was rich and complex, pushed to the edge of its natural bitterness without becoming overpowering. The cookies contributed intensity and crunch, while the smooth, creamy base provided the necessary sweetness to round out the profile. An elevated take on cookies and cream, with a distinctly Asian twist.
Pistachio Hōjicha Latte ($9.50)
This beverage featured a hōjicha latte topped with pistachio cream. The pistachio topping was rich, nutty, and slightly savoury, with visible flecks of finely ground pistachio, offering depth without veering into cheese-foam territory. The hōjicha base had a good roasted character that held its own but was inevitably overshadowed by the intensity of the pistac
Duo Duo continues to refine its niche with a focused menu that integrates nostalgic and contemporary Asian flavours into a playful yet considered offering. While the fried ice cream remains the centrepiece, the gelato and drink options demonstrate the same level of creativity and attention to flavour balance. The execution is thoughtful, with particular care given to texture and contrast, making it worth revisiting.
Duo Duo is located inside Strathfield Plaza, 11 The Boulevarde, Strathfield NSW 2135.