Melbourne-born Kariton Sorbetes tripped north in May, opening a spot with its signature slick, futuristic style in Burwood. Cue immediate queues for scoops stacked with pandan and coconut, a sweet and salty cheddar-and-vanilla serve and ube halaya (purple yam jam). The artisanal Filipino ice-cream house is co-owned by a pair of fine dining chefs – John Rivera (Askal, ex-Sunda) and Minh Duong (ex-Maha) – and Michael Mabuti, and the trio is adding to their Sydney stable: Eastern Creek Quarter is set to receive the state’s second Kariton Sorbetes.

“We’re opening it the outer west ‘cause that’s where a big chunk of Filipinos are,” Mabuti tells Broadsheet. “Not that Filipinos are our target market, but they’re our cheerleaders.”

And there’s plenty for them to cheer about. They’re cheering on 14 signature flavours and two rotating specials. They’re cheering on a vegan taho, with silken tofu soft serve, soy milk panna cotta, tapioca and a warm oolong syrup. And a textural, technicolour, Burwood-only halo-halo, made with brown-sugar slushie instead of shaved ice, and decorated with 10 house-made toppings, including pandan jelly, leche flan cream and ube halaya.

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While the OG Kariton focused on Filipino flavours, the menu has evolved, taking inspiration from across Asia. There are flavours that nod to Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan.

Mabuti looks to the Filipino explosion we’ve seen across Australia and the globe. Just recently in Sydney we’ve had openings from Tita, Smoky Cravings, Mix Mix and Mesa.

“Making Filipino food outside of diners is really important. And it’s not just here: around the world, Filipino food is going through a real kick. I’m just driving down Bourke Street, and here alone there’s Thai restaurants, Japanese restaurants, Chinese restaurants. Filipino restaurants aren’t really an option for many people.”

Despite the new location, the Sydney flagship will still be Burwood, and all the Sydney flavours will be made there. And while Burwood’s lines are the longest the Kariton team has experienced, they want the offering in the new store to be “more local – it is far to get to for the outer west to travel to”.

When it opens, it’ll cosy up to Sir Manong, Burger Point and Hanmade. “We’re the only Filipino food place in Burwood, but when we open in Eastern Creek we’ll be surrounded by them. So we’re starting to form a bit of a tribe now, which is cool.”

Kariton Sorbetes is expected to open in the Eastern Creek Quarter in mid-September 2024.

@kariton.au