Van’s Bakery

The ice cream macaron sandwich here is really good! I had the milk n’ honey which featured two pink cookies and creamy milky ice cream and crystal clear honey. The sandwich came in a nice little box and was presented quite nicely.
The cookies had a good texture, firm enough to hold the ice cream but soft enough to bite in and not hurt teeth. The highlight was definitely the honey, it was so pure and sweet and a perfect complement to the smooth ice cream. I also tried the green tea matcha and the flavor was good, but the honey was slightly better. If I’m ever in the area I would try the many other flavors!

I went to Vans Bakery a couple times, and the macaron ice cream sandwich is my favorite so far. My favorite is Taro, Thai tea, and mint cookies and cream. It’s delicious that I want to get some more and get in my belly hehe. I totally recommend this place, they have good food to choose from.

This review is mainly for Amanda and her delectable macaron ice cream sandwiches. I really appreciate the fact that everything is house made and they come up with the most diverse and original flavors. Some of my favorites are Bailey’s, strawberry shortcake, fruity pebbles, sea salt, and milk and cereal.
But the real reason I keep coming back is for Amanda. She is such a sweetheart and always makes time to strike up a conversation with me to see how I’m doing despite being swamped. I love her work ethic and that reflects on her products. No wonder why their fan base on Instagram keeps growing! No other place can compare to Van’s when it comes to macaron ice cream sandwiches.

The green waffles here used to be THE best! But their quality changed so their waffles just smell really good, but lack any pandan flavor.
The icecream macarons here have gotten really popular so most teenagers/​college students will be here asking for them. The flavors change weekly and you can check out their Instagram to check what flavors they have in stock. The macarons are nice and chewy. But I often find the icecream to be way too sweet. $ 5 for the macaron icecream sandwich seems pretty steep to me though.
The durian cream puffs here are really good! I recommend them! This place has a big selection of Vietnamese sweets so if you luck out on the ice cream macarons, theres plenty of other desserts-​from cakes, cookies, mooncakes, chips, dried snacks, crackers, etc.
Parking here can be a nightmare, especially weekends. Also, the drivers in this area can be crazy. And traffic backs up around rush hour a few blocks away.

This place isn’t ever my go-​to bakery to buy cakes but I do find myself coming here when my parents are looking for the jelly cake. Personally, I think the cakes here are o-​k. They’re decent to have for birthdays or special occasions but in my head when I think of «I need a cake» I wouldn’t come here to get it. The only good thing bout this place is that they have a lot of flavors for cakes. That’s what my parents love about it. A more wide variety of Asian flavored cakes. Like durian, pandan, coconut. Typical American bakeries don’t provide those flavors. So yeah, overall this place is decent. The cakes do taste great but I’d only come here if I had to.

Oh dude, I’m Vietnamese so this place brings it all back to when my parents used to buy those strange jello cakes. There’s distinct Vietnamese pandan jello cakes and birthday cakes too. I can’t explain, it’s just a Vietnamese thing I suppose.
I haven’t been to Van’s in years. I came here a couple of months ago and were fascinated that they offer HUUUMUNGO macaron ice cream! I think they actually make their own and it’s so worth because it’s bigger than my head… joking.
It’s bigger than my hand for sure. For $ 4 it’s a steal! They offer different flavors every day so you can’t really come back expecting to get thai tea every day. I think that’s what I’ve been told, don’t use it against me, Unilocalers.

Came here today for the ice cream macaron sandwiches.
Sad to say, I wasn’t very impressed. The macarons are cute!!! …and pretty photogenic, but that’s about it. It wasn’t too orgasmic.
I got the s’mores ice cream macaron. Graham cracker flavored macaron with chocolate ice cream and toasted marshmallow around. It makes for a very cute IG/​yelp post. The s’mores flavor costs $ 4.75 and lucky me, I got the last one for the day.
Their other flavors include horchata, thai tea, fruity pebbles, matcha, and milk & cereal ($ 4 each).
My boyfriend got the thai tea. Tastes like thai tea, but he, too, wasn’t blown away.
It’s a small little bakery with lots of selections. They have the green pandan waffles (4 stars), macarons, boba, cakes, sweets, etc. Gets a bit crowded when the teenagers invade the place.
I had to ask for my $ 1.50 refund since I originally ordered 3 s’mores (but instead got thai tea and fruity pebbles with the 1 s’mores left). But hey, I crossed this place off my list. Glad I finally got to try it.

I decided to go to Van’s bakery for my wedding cake. I was a little worried about the design, but they pulled through. They were able to match any photo I printed out. I was more into the looks of the cake than the taste. It was the right price for a 4 tier 2 different flavor cake.
Thank you for being the cherry on top of our special day!

Van’s Bakery is a classic bakery spot in the heart of what I like to call, «Viet Town» on Tully Rd in San Jose. They have all sorts of pastries, baked goods, and much more! For the type of bakery it is, this is what I would consider the standard for a Vietnamese bakery.
I typically try to avoid this area because of the terrible terrible traffic and chaos… but when I’m in the area I try to stop by! The three things I come here for are the cream puffs, beef jerky, and the macaron ice cream sandwiches! The cream puffs they make here are your more «whipped cream» type of filling and not the custard time. If you’re into that then I’m sure you’ll like them here! Otherwise I’d go somewhere else if you like the more custard type of cream puffs.
The asian beef jerky is quite good as well! Although they look kind of strange, it’s actually quite tasty! With the right amount of heat and sweetness, they tend to be a really good snack (albeit somewhat expensive).
The ice cream macaron sandwiches are what I would consider ‘pretty good’ for the bay area. I’ve tried all types of macaron ice cream sandwiches from a lot of places in the bay… but this place is definitely better by a significant margin. Keep in mind I’m comparing to really good places like Milk in LA. But the macaron isn’t too dense… and has the perfect textures you’re looking for in an ice cream macaron sandwich! Try your favorite flavor and you won’t be disappointed! Flavors rotate so be sure to call ahead if you’re looking for something in particular!
Overall a great classic place to stop by if you’re in the area. Cakes and other pastries look tasty… but keep in mind that the taste is more «asian flavored» rather than your typical french or american bakery! Bring cash and don’t expect the best service!

Van’s Bakery is a traditional Vietnamese bakery that sells Asian cakes, Pandan Coconut Waffles, etc. Who would’ve guessed one would be able to find hidden treasures here (macaron ice creams)? Also, most places that sell macaron ice creams don’t offer unique flavors like Van’s.
Their macaron ice cream flavors change daily so be sure to follow their Instagram for the menu. They’re also efficient with updates and will inform you if they’re not selling that day or selling at a later time (normally starts at 1:30 p.m., Friday — Sunday for Fall/​Winter).
17 flavors tried so far:
Golden Gaytime — comprised of toffee ice cream, vanilla bean ice cream, almond macarons, a coating of dark chocolate and honey biscuits. It’s their take on an Austrailian ice cream bar. This was good, but a bit too sweet for my liking.
Taro — how can I not like this? The ice cream is my favorite color (lavender)! I loved the nutty flavor and it wasn’t too sweet. The consistency of the ice cream was very smooth and rich.
Sea Salt — a little salty, a little sweet, pretty unique.
Cookies N Cream — «A’s» favorite flavor. This is also one of their most popular flavors.
Hong Kong Milk Tea — tastes just like the drink, but in ice cream form.
Thai Tea — tastes just like the drink, but in ice cream form.
S’mores — a childhood favorite. It’s comprised of «Speculoos» spiced macarons, dark chocolate ice cream, torched honey marshmallow fluff.
Strawberry Shortcake — comprised of strawberry cake flavored macarons, vanilla bean ice cream, with a strawberry sorbet center (ish). I could care less for it, but others in the house enjoyed it.
Milk & Cereal — One of my favorite flavors! Milk & cereal is a perfect combo. The milk ice cream is rich and creamy and the caramelized corn flakes gives it the perfect crunch! *chomp*
Vanilla Bean — I’m personally not a fan of vanilla ice cream, but Van’s does this well.
Horchata — I’m a big cinnamon lover so this just calls my name.
Fruity Pebbles — Did you grow up eating Fruity Pebbles (FP) cereal as a kid? If so, you’ll love this. It tastes exactly like FP, but in ice cream form. There are even FP bits on top of the macaron.
Drumstick — almond macaron shells, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, chocolate coating, roasted peanuts, waffle cone bits.
Neapolitan — Who doesn’t love neapolitan ice cream? You get three flavors of ice cream in one sitting. ^_​^
These were sold during Halloween:
Reptar Bar — If you’re a 90’s kid, you’ll most likely have watched Rugrats. This is comprised of chocolate macarons, caramel ice cream, house-​made green-​honey marshmallow fluff core, dark chocolate coating, toasted hazelnuts. So yummy!
Faux-​Caramel Apple — almond macarons, Apple Cider Butterscotch Ice Cream, Apple Cider infused Candied Pecans .
Baker’s Blood — almond Macarons, Blood Orange Sherbet, 3-​spice «Blood». This ice cream Mac is a little interactive… When ordered, you will receive the ice cream Mac PLUS a plastic pipette (squeeze thing) which contains the «blood». Just add a few drops to the ice cream on every bite… You can now live your vampiric fantasies
For a Christmas special this year, they made a Yule log which looked really similar to wood. The cake and icing weren’t too sweet which was really good. I wonder what they’ll do for next year!
Each macaron ice cream is made to order so you’re guaranteed freshness! They truly take their time to make each sandwich perfectly. Chewy macaron with yummy ice cream = WIN! Also, if you live almost an hour away like I do, bring an ice chest with you if you plan on bringing some home. These macarons travel well in an ice chest.
Five stars because:
1) The macaron ice creams are A-​M-​A-​Z-​I-​N-​G-​L-​Y D-​E-​L-​I-​C-​I-​O-​U-​S!!!
2) Amanda & Andrew are very friendly and provide amazing customer service!
3) Andrew & Amanda are very creative and offer unique flavors you cant find elsewhere in the Bay Area.

The only thing I’ve really gotten here is the Green waffle is which really good. It’s $ 1.50 and I’m pretty sure that I can try and make it on my own, but it’s a little hard getting the right taste and texture because I’ve been to other places to try their version of the Green waffle and it’s just NOT the same…
I came pretty late this last time and it took them about 5 minutes to make it because they had to heat the waffle maker, but at least I knew it was fresh. I wish they had some condensed milk to go with it, but I guess it’s okay since it would just make it more fattening: D.

After a belly full of boiling crab I definitely needed a place to satisfy my sweet tooth.
Came here on Saturday night around 8pm and the first thing I noticed was this lady making pandan hot and fresh pandan waffles. It smelled sooooo goooood! But I came for the macaron ice cream sandwiches! I ordered the cookies ‘n cream and the drumstick. Both were good, however I prefer the cookies ‘n cream over the drumstick. It was just difficult to eat the drumstick one, the nuts kept coming off. The macaron was good and the ice cream didn’t melt too fast either. Which provided time for me to take my photos of it! The ice cream sandwiches definitely hit the spot but it didn’t exactly blow me away either. I’m happy to find a place closer to home. However I still prefer Milk down in Los Angeles.

When everyone is hungover and you want them to get out of bed to go eat a decent meal but no one is budging you yell, «let’s go get macaron ice cream» and everyone gets up and ready to go in 15 mins! #Winning
This place has got to be the best macaron ice cream place I’ve ever tasted and I’m no ice cream connoisseur (let’s be real, i am an ice cream connoisseur) but I give this place 2 thumbs up.
The flavors change out daily so check their Instagram for what’s on the menu. The ice cream/​cookie ratio is perfect. It is not too sweet which I love and the consistency of the ice cream is perfect enough to bite into.
Cons —
Eek! $ 4.75 for ice cream, but in a cookie cutter world, be a macaron ice cream sammich!
they are only available Thu to Sun from 1:30 pm until they run out so make sure you get there early
bring cash unless you’re planning to make it rain ice cream, you can use your credit card.

The South Bay is really trying to up their game in terms of ice cream macaon sandwiches, and Van’s is definitely on that train! I’d suggest you come early and/​or check their instagram for updates and flavors and supply. The macarons are perfectly sized and the flavors and combinations are interesting, but they were a little off for me. The cereal milk didn’t have any unique flavor to it for me (maybe because I never eat ceral with milk … oops!). The Hong Kong milk tea has great flavor for the first few bites, but gets lost the more you eat it. The raspberry lychee was flavorful throughout, but I found the raspberry a bit overwhelming. All in all, I would still come back to try their other flavors.
Their pandan and durian waffles are still my favorite: thick, fragrant, perfectly sweet, hot, chewy and crisp, freshly made upon order.
Their fruit tarts are also still a favorite of mine and my family’s for 20+ years and going! Make sure to get a fresh one though; the crust is perfectly crisp and pairs so well with the slightly sweet custard.
Now that the mid-​autumn festival season festival is rolling around, I am debating if I want to buy myself a mooncake or two … yum!

I don’t know what ppl are talking about as far as service goes cause the young lady that helped us was super! She answered our questions, was willing to accommodate my 5 year old and did not make us feel rushed while deciding.
I’ve actually been to this place many times in the the past but this visit was primarily for the macaroon ice cream sandwich. This must be newish here cause it was not offered when I’ve come years ago.
I ordered the baileys and boy was I surprised when the lady asked me for ID.
Me: What?!? Did you say ID? For?
Her: it’s for the ice cream
Me: it’s ice cream
Her: yea a certain amount of alcohol I have to check.
The ice cream was very flavorful and the baileys definitely stood out in a good way. The macaroon was sweet and chewy. I will be back.
Wished I lived closer!

Their macarons are okay, not the best I’ve ever had. But it’s cheaper than most places, $ 1.75 for each macaron compared to $ 1.99 at Lette Macarons. My personal favorite is the raspberry and the matcha green tea! The green tea is rather sweet but not too sweet. Raspberry has a slight kick of sourness to it but overall lovely.
I didn’t like the vanilla bean and the coconut too much. It was too sweet for me. But the vanilla bean macaron has the best baby blue color :-)
Their green waffles are also okay, I prefer Belgian style with some coconut shreddings in mine but they didn’t offer that $ 1.50 per green waffle.

I’ve always wanted to come here, but whenever I was available it was already late in the day and assumed they are out of macaron ice cream sandwiches. I was eating close by and my friends suggested coming here so heerrryeaah.
I decided to buy 4 of them, 2 jasmine and 2 cookies and cream. I gave them to my girlfriend’s family and got to try the jasmine one. The macaron was tender and and the jasmine flavor in the ice cream was well infused. It felt like I was drinking jasmine tea itself. The sandwich did not fall apart and stayed intact. I appreciate how they are individually packaged so you can buy multiple and freeze them.
On a side note, the cake here looks bomb and drool-​worthy so one day I do plan to come back and actually try some of the pastries and other delectables they offer, because after all they are a bakery.

Came here because I saw the MACARON ICE CREAM SANDWICH similar to Milk in LA. I got there and they only had one flavor, MINT COOKIES AND CREAM. I have to say, the macaron tasted like real mint, as though they grounded up fresh mint and put it in the macaron. VERY DELICIOUS. I was surprised at first because I was expecting peppermint or something else, but I really enjoyed the flavor. The sandwich was smaller than expected, for $ 4, but the flavor was out of the ordinary.
I would want to come back to try the other different flavors. I’m guessing it’s different every day.

I suppose I’m well overdue to write Van’s a review.
When I think of Van’s Bakery, it makes me think of childhood birthday parties with cake flavors that your parents loved but the kids hated. Now when I think of Van’s I think ice cream macaron sandwiches and banh kep (pandan waffles).
This review is mainly for their macaron ice cream sandwiches.
THINGS TO KNOW. They’re only sold Wed-​Sun usually after 12pm but sell dates and times can be scratched depending on seller. You basically need to follow them on instagram (@vansbakerysj). That’s really the only way you can find out what flavors they are selling that day, what they have left or if they are selling anything at all. $ 4 will get you macaron sandwich and flavors change daily. They do accept credit cards but require a $ 10 minimum.
So far I’ve tried Milk & Cereal, Sea salt, Fruity Pebbles and HK milk tea. Fruity Pebbles still stands as my favorite. It seriously tastes like the cereal but in ice cream form. I’m still waiting for the right time to try their taro & horchata but it seems like all the days they have it, I cant make it out there.
Ice cream melts VERY fast so they don’t travel well. I would say the best thing to enjoy it at its best is to eat right when they give it to you in front of the store. I live maybe 7 minutes away and found that by the time I get it home, the ice cream is too soft. Throwing it back in the freezer works but made the macaron shell too chewy.
I didn’t give it 5 stars because the ladies who take the orders are ⁹⁄₁₀ times rude. There was one day where a lady basically shoved a piece of paper in front of me without saying anything. Umm use your words on what you want me to do? You pretty much have to write down your own orders and name because the ladies can’t do it for you I guess? Don’t expect much, asian places and customer service usually doesnt go hand in hand. The younger guy and girl who assembles the sandwiches are really nice though!

HIDDEN GEM ALERT!
If you have always passed by this bakery and never went inside, you must check it out! Ice Cream Macarons are made fresh Wednesday — Sunday! Follow them on Instagram (@vansbakerysj)! Their flavors change daily and IG will update you on what they have left. Once they sell out, you missed out!
Luckily, my friends and I were close in the area and saw the IG post for the day with many of updates. I commented on the IG post to see if they would still have a few if we came in 10 minutes. They are very responsive and even have a sense of humor responding «yes unless a group of like 12 comes in right now.»
Once we got there, we were taken away by the aromas of the baked goods! Definitely makes you want to get everything. But we were there for «Van’s Ice Cream Truck.» The dry erase board on their counter has the flavors of the day. Flavors will be half erased/​crossed out if they are sold out. Only one flavor was left when we got there, Neapolitan. We ordered two at first, but to our surprise the guy came out and said that the he had enough to make one more «Drumstick» Flavor if we wanted. Very nice of him to offer it!
Prices are $ 4.00/ice cream macaron, which isn’t a bad deal at all since it is made to order.
I will definitely be following their IG and popping in to try all their flavors!