SCOOP 500 puts ice cream innovation on display at THAIFEX HOREC Asia 2026

More than 500 flavors—from familiar to unexpected—highlight how dessert is evolving into a key business driver for cafés and restaurants.

When it comes to ice cream, the classics will always have a place on the menu. But the dessert itself has become far more versatile and playful in recent years, taking on flavors that go well beyond the expected. At its most inventive, ice cream can taste like curry, squid ink, or even tuna salad, pushing the boundaries of what many would consider a sweet treat.

That was the idea behind SCOOP 500, a showcase of more than 500 ice cream flavors presented at THAIFEX – HOREC Asia 2026, where dessert brands and producers turned the spotlight on how frozen treats are evolving beyond the usual chocolate and vanilla.

Some flavors leaned experimental, including fermented soy, umeshu, and lemon lavender, while others drew from local ingredients such as pandanus pudding and mayong chit, a seasonal Thai fruit. There were also more familiar profiles like bing cherry and chocolate variations, offering a mix of safe and surprising options for visitors.

But behind the novelty was a clear business message. Each flavor was designed to stand out as much as they show how ice cream can be adapted to different markets, concepts, and customer preferences.

From novelty to menu strategy

SCOOP 500 brought together more than 20 brands and specialty producers in one space, allowing buyers to sample products while also understanding how they are made, stored, and served at scale.

The showcase highlighted how ice cream is increasingly being positioned as a flexible menu category for cafés, restaurants, and hospitality operators. Instead of being treated as a simple dessert add-on, it is now used to differentiate brands, drive repeat visits, and create new revenue streams.

Some concepts focused on bold, conversation-starting flavors meant to attract attention on social media, while others emphasized consistency and scalability for commercial use. The range reflected the different ways businesses are approaching dessert menus, depending on their target market.

The appeal lies in versatility for operators. Ice cream can be served as a standalone product, paired with other desserts, or integrated into beverages and café offerings. It also allows for seasonal rotations and limited-time flavors, giving businesses a way to keep menus fresh without overhauling their entire concept.

A growing opportunity for Southeast Asia

The strong interest in SCOOP 500 also points to broader movements in the region’s food and beverage sector.

Across Southeast Asia, café culture continues to expand, with consumers increasingly open to trying new flavors and formats. This has created opportunities for businesses to experiment, particularly in categories that are easy to customize and scale.

For Filipino buyers attending THAIFEX – HOREC Asia, the showcase offered ideas that could translate well to the local market, where dessert concepts and café formats are becoming more competitive.

The presence of both familiar and unconventional flavors put the spotlight on how businesses can balance creativity with accessibility, introducing new products without alienating customers who prefer more traditional options.

At the same time, the emphasis on production and service systems underscored the operational side of the business. Large-scale flavor offerings require efficient storage, preparation, and consistency, areas that many exhibitors also addressed through their equipment and solutions.

Beyond the scoop

SCOOP 500 was one of several highlights at THAIFEX – HOREC Asia 2026, a three-day trade fair held from March 11 to 13 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani in Bangkok.

The event gathered 21,305 trade visitors from 70 countries and regions, alongside 664 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions, positioning itself as a major regional platform for the hospitality and food service industries.

While much of the show focused on kitchen equipment, technology, and operations, SCOOP 500 stood out for its ability to translate trends into something immediately tangible.

More than a tasting, it offered a clear view of how ice cream can be reimagined as a creative and commercially viable part of a modern hospitality business.

 

 

From curry and squid ink to pandan and fruit-based creations, SCOOP 500 at THAIFEX HOREC Asia 2026 showcased how ice cream is becoming a versatile and commercially viable category for hospitality businesses across Southeast Asia.

 

 

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