David K. Israel
11 Korean Yogurt Stores that’ll Knock Your Pinkberries off
by David K. Israel - July 9, 2008 - 5:31 AM

Sadly, if you don’t live in NYC or LA, you probably don’t yet know about Pinkberry frozen yogurt, and all the knockoffs. But if trends are any indication, you probably will soon enough because there are already more than 50 Pinkberries in California alone.

So what’s so special about it? Well, for starters, the original flavor is sour, as in real yogurt culture sour (though there’s some controversy over how much real yogurt is in the mix). Second, the only other flavor available is green tea (up until recently). Lastly, no one really knows what’s in it or how to knock it off 100% successfully (in terms of its smooth texture and unique flavor). The secret recipe is so guarded, Pinkberry employees tell me that they’re instructed to rinse out the unmarked yogurt mix cartons before disposing of them because people have been going through the dumpsters trying to sample the contents.

And that leads us to probably the most interesting thing about the yogurt: the huge number of imitations popping up, despite that they haven’t figured out how to knock it off successfully (can you tell I’m a real Pinkberry devotee?). Of course, the most curious thing about this is: Pinkberry itself is said to be a knock off of the South Korean chain Red Mango. Indeed, Pinkberry was started in LA by Korean Americans Shelly Hwang and Young Lee, so there could be truth to the claim.

And while there are Red Mangos opening up in LA too now, Pinkberry clearly has a stronghold, as you’ll see from the imitation store names I found all within a 2-mile radius of my house. (Believe me, there are MANY more than just these below). Also note how the stores imitate the cool, clean modern design of the Pinkberry franchise (most of Pinkberry’s furniture, and even their floor, comes from Design Within Reach).

Here’s one of the many Pinkberries in my neighborhood. On weekend evenings, the line goes out the store and way down the block.

pinkberry.jpg

Here’s Red Mango, said to have come up with the original recipe in South Korea. It’s good, but not as smooth as Pinkberry.
redmango.jpg

(check out all the hilarious knock-offs after the jump)

Berri Good isn’t so Berri Good by my standards, but, hey, cute signage!
berrigood.jpg

Berry Nutty on the other hand is okay if I’m really hurting and can’t make it all the way up to Pinkberry, a mile away.

berrynutty.jpg

I’ve never tried Iceberry, but they also have smoothies there, which means they aren’t yogurt purists.

iceberry.jpg

Same with Gelatoday. They sell more than just Korean-style frozen yogurt. I think you can even get pizza at this particular one.

gelatoday.jpg

In addition to the original flavor and green tea, Green Apple also has, surprise, surprise, Green Apple flavor. They also sell crepes and salads… again, this is not for the frozen yogurt purist.

greenapple.jpg

Kiwibear is, oddly enough, a knockoff of a knockoff! Kiwiberry is the original, which, of course, is a Pinkberry knockoff. And it tastes like it.

kiwiberry.jpg

Snowberry wouldn’t let me photograph their storefront… needless to say, I’ve never tasted their knockoff attempt.

snowberry.jpg

Yogurtberry is another one that mostly gets the flavor right, but doesn’t really come close in terms of texture. It’s much harder than Pinkberry and they don’t have coconut shavings in their mix-in bar. (Gotta have coconut).

yogurtberry.jpg

Snowpod doesn’t quite compare to our yogurt yardstick either, despite that they have a few Macs set up and offer free Internet browsing while you eat. Just for giggles, I loaded the Pinkberry Web site when I was there last and left it up for the next person who happened into the store.

snowpod.jpg

Shhh…super secret special for blog readers.

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Comments (36)

  1. We’ve got our own little knock off here in Austin called Yogoberry. I still haven’t tried it. if anyone has, let me know!

    posted by nikki on 7-9-2008 at 6:10 am

  2. There’s an awesome knock-off in the Little Tokyo in Los Angeles called Yogurtland that has 12 different flavors and at least 20 different mix-ins, cereal and fruit included… and it’s 30 cents per ounce! :) Very economical–you can get twice the amount you get at Pinkberry for the same price.

    There’s also a new knock-off called Chill-In in Denver… but neither of these has the same awesome taste and texture of Pinkberry. :)

    posted by kris on 7-9-2008 at 9:43 am

  3. Simply from the name it seems that Gelatoday would be more Italian-style than Korean-style. I’ve never found gelato in the states that compares to Italian gelato. I think part of it is the atmosphere.

    posted by Lindsey on 7-9-2008 at 9:44 am

  4. Sometimes I just don’t understand L.A. people… that’s really amazing. But maybe someday I will try a Pinkberry and then I will believe.

    posted by kate on 7-9-2008 at 9:50 am

  5. I’m in New York City where Pinkberry stores and knockoffs abound.

    However, I still think that Forty Carrots in the Bloomingdale’s department store has the best tangy frozen yogurt (they have a variety of toppings and other flavors too). It’s conveniently located near the plus-size women’s department.

    I was once on line for a cup of the good stuff minutes before closing time, and a blond woman in a suit hurried over to the counter. She was relieved that it was still open…she had taken a taxi to get there in time!

    posted by Sydney on 7-9-2008 at 10:08 am

  6. Wouldn’t let you photograph their storefront? Huh? You know they have no right to stop you, right? I mean, it’s on a public street. It’s perfectly legal to take any pictures you want in a public place (even pictures of private property!).

    Heck, you can take pictures of random strangers on the street all day, and that’s not illegal, either. They might get mad, but they can’t stop you.

    posted by Bren on 7-9-2008 at 10:11 am

  7. Two just opened up in DC, within blocks of each other: “Mr. Yogato” (as in Domo Arigato..) and the more descriptive “TangySweet”

    posted by Jebo on 7-9-2008 at 11:01 am

  8. I live in Google View and there’s been a sign up in our downtown for a few months now that there is a Yogurberry coming soon. I have been looking forward to it because, other than that, there is pretty much just gelato around here. I’ve never had Pinkberry and I don’t know of any around here, though I would expect there is one in San Francisco somewhere. There is a Red Mango up near Stanford, so maybe I will check that out while waiting for the Yogurberry to finally open.

    posted by Katie on 7-9-2008 at 11:14 am

  9. I’ve never been to Pinkberry or any of the knockoffs, but its amazing how popular they are becoming…kinda reminds me of how fast Starbucks were put up all over the land…

    I live in the country and we have local versions of yogurt shop smoothies and coffee places…its not name-brand, but its fun and I like shopping local…

    posted by donner on 7-9-2008 at 11:24 am

  10. This reminds me of the cheesy 80s movie “The Stuff”.

    posted by Bill on 7-9-2008 at 11:37 am

  11. Wow, I remember when they used to be called TCBY.

    So, there’s no Pinkberry in Chicago, but there is a Red Mango. Never even heard of the place until I read this article (apparently the Korean Yogurt craze hasn’t hit Illinois just yet).

    Never-the-less, I’ll try the place tomorrow if someone wants to enlighten me on what to order.

    posted by Florida on 7-9-2008 at 11:50 am

  12. Memphis will of course, be the last major city to get one. :(

    posted by DYMongoose on 7-9-2008 at 12:05 pm

  13. Florida: Just get the original flavor with a topping like fresh strawberries or chocolate chips.

    Lindsey: They sell gelato, but it’s really about the softserve Korean yogurt. Plus they’re imitating the trendy store design.

    Bren: They threatened me. So why bother, was my way of thinking.

    posted by David K. Israel on 7-9-2008 at 12:54 pm

  14. Okay I’m going to profane total ignorance: what’s so special about Korean frozen yogurt? We don’t have anything like that (that I know of) here in central NC…and the only gelato place I’ve ever really noticed just got built about 6 months ago…down here the craze is still Cold Stone Creamery and the like.

    posted by bas on 7-9-2008 at 1:18 pm

  15. Bill, I was “The Stuff” when I was wee child and I couldn’t eat yogurt for months!

    I also have no idea what this Pinkberry is. I only know of the name from that credit card commercial. Does it have anything to do with Bubble Tea? And what the heck is Bubble Tea??

    posted by Heather on 7-9-2008 at 1:31 pm

  16. we have yo berry in boston…it tastes exactly like the yogurt my mom makes all the time (i’m vietnamese). it’s no secret recipe!

    i don’t get why all the knockoffs have ‘berry’ in the name, there’s no berry in the yogurt, unless it’s a topping.

    posted by homey on 7-9-2008 at 1:41 pm

  17. You missed Ce Fiore! The best frozen yoghurt chain! Waaay better than Pinkberry.

    posted by Conrad Quilty-Harper on 7-9-2008 at 2:14 pm

  18. I agree with commenter kris to the Yogurtland in Little Tokyo suggestion. Although, I wouldn’t call it a knock off. They’ve got a ton more flavors and is definitely more economical. I can get a good cup/bowl of that stuff for $3 while a similar size well set you back $5+ at stinkberry. I know someone that came from San Francisco and went to Fullerton just to get Yogurtland before the Little Tokyo shop opened.

    To commenter Heather, it is definitely different from Bubble Tea. To commenter Conrad, I did like Ce Fiore because it was the only alternative to stinkberry (they set up shop across from Ce Fiore) I had…that is until Yogurtland set up shop in Little Tokyo. Ce Fiore’s recipe is a little thicker than I like. I also prefer the tart taste that I can find at Yogurtland.

    posted by Nick on 7-9-2008 at 3:54 pm

  19. I am actually very surprised the Korean frozen yogurt thing hasn’t hit my area yet, considering the massive amount of Asian people living in the area now.

    posted by Rachel on 7-9-2008 at 3:56 pm

  20. There is a Yogurtland opening up where I work and I can’t hardly wait! I think I might be there every other day! My favorite: cheesecake flavor with cheesecake topping =P.

    posted by CK on 7-9-2008 at 5:11 pm

  21. Heather: Bubble Tea is tea served iced or hot with tapioca beads which are sucked up through a straw. Its sweet, creamy and delicious. There are some bars that are using that as a base for new alcoholic drinks but I have yet to personally find a place that has created such a beverage. Here in DC, I know Teaism sells bubble tea.

    posted by Rebecca on 7-9-2008 at 5:30 pm

  22. i actually feel pretty cool that FOR ONCE i’m aware of a mainly NY/LA trend. Utah can be cool! we’re cool enough for a red mango, but no pink berry. there’s one here called Spoon Me.
    I have to say though, i didn’t hate what i got at red mango (original with strawberries and chocolate chips IS pretty good) i haven’t been back..

    posted by lindsey on 7-9-2008 at 6:39 pm

  23. I went to one of the first Pinkberries in L.A. (sad that I’m proud of that, isn’t it?) and I thought it was crazy how big a deal people were making out of it–until I had it! Now I’d hate to go a week without it. I

    posted by kayci on 7-9-2008 at 7:50 pm

  24. South Florida has a couple — Yoberry and one with the sexy name Lutz Delight, which is an absolute ripoff, down to the Alessi kitchen gadgets.

    posted by Gail on 7-9-2008 at 7:53 pm

  25. Yeah! The credit card commercials! That’s where I’ve heard of pinkberry before. Nothing like that here in NC.

    What I can’t figure out is why they would be required to rinse out the cartons to keep people from sampling the contents – just buy one and take it to the lab – duh!

    posted by lynn on 7-9-2008 at 9:07 pm

  26. I tried pinkberry on vacation in LA this year and loved it. A month after returning, I was so excited when we here in Cincinnati got a local knockoff called Yagoot. It’s pretty close in taste but it does melt soupy. I have to have Yagoot at least twice a week!

    posted by Simone on 7-9-2008 at 9:44 pm

  27. Okay, I tried the stuff

    While I enjoyed it, I wasn’t overly impressed. If you haven’t tried, you’re not missing much.

    posted by Florida on 7-10-2008 at 3:23 pm

  28. We have a knockoff in vancouver, bc. It’s called blueberry. Never tried the original but blueberry’s pretty good

    posted by eva on 7-10-2008 at 9:44 pm

  29. David –

    I’m not saying you’re in the wrong, but I am absolutely amazed sometimes at the silly things people think they can do – like prevent you from taking pictures of their public storefront. Sheesh.

    Great article, btw!

    posted by Bren on 7-11-2008 at 2:35 pm

  30. Never had Pinkberry either,and not even sure if the frozen yogurt craze has come to New Zealand. Our dairy is amazing, though, so I just eat Kapiti ice cream (despite being lactose intolerant!)

    posted by Dawn on 7-19-2008 at 9:03 pm

  31. You forgot another 2nd mover, which has tried to differentiate from Pinkberry. A Coffee Bean to Starbucks if you will.

    CEFIORE!!!

    There’s one in Denver/Boulder COLORADO! Love it!

    posted by Chris on 1-15-2009 at 5:32 pm

  32. we have jujuberry and yoyo yogurt in phx

    posted by amy on 5-6-2009 at 10:35 pm

  33. i live in el cajon, ca and we have a pinkberry in our mall and theyre putting up another one on the other side of the mall so you don’t have to walk so much. and our mall isn’t even that big!!

    i’ve only been to yogurt mill though

    posted by ari on 5-9-2009 at 6:16 pm

  34. Wow…I’ve never really heard of pinkberry, but a new store popped up called veryberry, so I suppose that they’re a knock-off, too!

    posted by Mari on 6-20-2009 at 5:11 am

  35. In Indianapolis we have Yogokiss, Yogurt Village, and Red Mango. I’ve tried the 1st two. I was not expecting the tart flavors at the time. However, since I do like plain unfrozen yogurt, I plan to try Red Mango soon. Now that I understand the trend, I’ll have a more open mind and I can probably select more appropriate toppings.

    posted by Kamilah on 8-5-2009 at 6:31 pm

  36. There is no question in anyone’s mind that YogurBerry is far better in terms of flavor, variety, and pricing.

    Watch a video of YogurBerry http://www.jippidy.com/watch/viewkey/79e2c279fd162df0205c/YogurBerry

    posted by jazme on 9-10-2009 at 8:54 am

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