Hello, Yam!

- 443 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009

Introduction / Overview

In a city known for its endless array of dessert shops, Hello, Yam! carves out a unique and unforgettable niche. Located at 443 E 9th St in the East Village, this dessert shop is a haven for anyone seeking a sweet treat that is both delicious and distinct. Hello, Yam! specializes in Japanese sweet potatoes, an ingredient celebrated for its natural sweetness and creamy texture, which is a key part of traditional street food in Japan. The shop's commitment to this single, high-quality ingredient is its core strength. They use imported Beni Haruka sweet potatoes, a variety touted as the sweetest in the world, to create a concise but impactful menu of desserts and drinks. This unique focus makes Hello, Yam! a fascinating and must-visit destination for New Yorkers looking to try something new and exciting. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, perfect for a quick stop to satisfy a sweet craving or to sit down and enjoy a moment of tranquility with a one-of-a-kind dessert.

The menu at Hello, Yam! is a testament to the versatility of the Japanese sweet potato. They offer the classic "YAKIIMO," a perfectly baked sweet potato that is spoonable and has a delightfully caramelized skin. From this base, they build more elaborate creations, such as the "Honey Butter Sweet Potato" and the "Custard Brulee." Perhaps their most famous offering is the "Silky Paste Parfait," a layered dessert that features cornflakes, pieces of baked yam, vanilla soft serve, and a whimsical topping of silky sweet potato paste extruded to resemble spaghetti noodles. As one customer noted, this concept and product are "very good," with the fun presentation adding to the experience. Another reviewer praised the high quality of the potatoes themselves, finding them "so much better and prepared really well" than what they could make at home. The shop also caters to a variety of tastes with a small but thoughtfully curated drink menu, including delicious and unique lattes like the "Black Sesame Latte" and "Hojicha Latte." For those with dietary considerations, they offer vegan options for both their baked potatoes and ice cream, ensuring that a wide range of customers can enjoy their delicious offerings. Hello, Yam! is more than just a dessert shop; it's a celebration of a humble ingredient elevated to a culinary art form.

Location and Accessibility

Hello, Yam! is situated on a charming block in the East Village at 443 E 9th St. The neighborhood is a vibrant mix of residential areas and lively commercial streets, making it a great place to explore. The shop's location is easily accessible for locals and tourists alike. While specific accessibility details for the storefront are not available, it is a street-level establishment in a walkable neighborhood. Public transportation is a convenient option, with the L, N, Q, R, W, and 6 trains all having stations within reasonable walking distance. The area can be busy, so while paid street parking is available, taking public transit or walking is often the most practical choice. As the shop is a smaller establishment, it is best suited for quick visits or takeout, but it does offer a cozy space for those who wish to dine in. The location allows customers to easily combine a visit to Hello, Yam! with a day of exploring the unique shops, parks, and other eateries that the East Village has to offer.

Services Offered

• Takeout: Customers can place their order and take it to go, perfect for a treat on the move.
• Dine-in: The shop offers seating for those who want to relax and enjoy their dessert inside.

Features / Highlights

• Unique and High-Quality Product: The main highlight is the focus on imported Beni Haruka Japanese sweet potatoes, known for their exceptional sweetness and creamy texture.
• Silky Paste Parfait: This is a standout menu item and a major highlight, praised for its fun presentation and delicious combination of flavors and textures. The purple and yellow options are both popular.
• Great Desserts: The shop's desserts are consistently praised for being "delicious" and "not overly sweet," providing a balanced flavor profile.
• Vegan Options: Hello, Yam! offers vegan-friendly choices, including a vegan honey butter and a vegan vanilla ice cream, making their desserts accessible to a wider audience.
• Thoughtful Drink Menu: In addition to the desserts, the shop offers a small but unique selection of drinks, including "Black Sesame Latte" and "Hojicha Latte," which complement their food offerings.
• Health-Conscious Comfort Food: Sweet potatoes are a nutritious and healthy base, making these desserts a guilt-free indulgence for those looking for a healthier alternative to typical sweets.

Contact Information

Address: 443 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009, USA

Phone: (646) 339-1199

What is worth choosing

When you step into Hello, Yam!, you're choosing to experience a dessert that is a delightful departure from the norm. What is truly worth choosing here is the "Silky Paste Parfait." This dessert is not only a visual spectacle but a complex blend of textures and flavors, from the crunchy cornflakes at the bottom to the creamy soft serve and the delicate, flavorful sweet potato paste on top. A customer's review highlights this perfectly, noting it was "fun" and "delicious" and that the flavors were "nicely balanced." For those who prefer a simpler, more authentic experience, the "YAKIIMO" is a fantastic choice. It showcases the natural, intense sweetness of the Beni Haruka potato without any frills, allowing the quality of the ingredient to shine. Another reviewer raved about the quality, stating, "I think the highlight is really just how high quality these potatos are," and recommended pairing the honey butter sweet potato with the parfait for an extra dose of deliciousness. The "Custard Brulee" is also a great choice for those who enjoy a caramelized, crunchy top. Beyond the food, choosing Hello, Yam! means supporting a unique, specialty shop that offers something truly different in the New York dessert scene. It's a place where a single ingredient is celebrated and transformed into an array of creative and delicious treats that are both satisfying and memorable. The combination of a novel concept, delicious desserts, and a cozy atmosphere makes Hello, Yam! a destination worth seeking out for any dessert lover in the city.

Hello, Yam!

443 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009, USA