
Our Japanese-language reporter Meg sets out to defend the honor of her favorite ice cream flavor by eating a breat mint sundae, and also makes her English RocketNews24 video debut.
In Japan, mint-flavored ice cream is sort of a divisive topic. While it’s relatively easy to find at supermarkets and convenience stores, there’s a fraction of the population that absolutely can’t stand the stuff, claiming that mint ice cream tastes just like toothpaste.
Our Japanese-language reporter Meg Sawai (who’s not to be confused with our English-language reporter Meg Murphy) is firmly in the “love it” group when it comes to mint ice cream, and has grown tired of her mint-hating acquaintances snidely commenting that she may as well just put a squeeze of toothpaste on her frozen treat. “Where do they got off saying that?” she angrily demanded. “And how would they know? It’s not like any of them have ever eaten ice cream with toothpaste!”
▼ You tell ‘em, Meg!
But when she stopped and thought about it, Meg realized that she hadn’t ever tried the two together, either. Able to neither confirm nor deny the validity of the “mint ice cream tastes like toothpaste” claim, and also sensing a chance to get paid for eating ice cream (which ranks up there with getting paid to drink beer on our dream job list), we sprang into action. After a quick trip to the convenience store across the street, we were back in the RocketNews24 offices with a tub of vanilla ice cream and a pack of breath freshening capsules.
So why not regular toothpaste? Well, first, Meg was a little concerned about using something with germ-killing properties as a condiment. Second, look how pretty those Breath Care capsules look when they’re substituting for sprinkles!
You’re actually supposed to swallow the capsules whole to make your breath smell nice, but Meg knew from experience that if you bite into them, you get a strong, minty, mouthwash-like flavor.
With the preparations underway, it was time for Meg to taste-test her unusual sundae, and the results can be seen starting at the video’s 0:50 mark.
▼ Here goes!
In case you can’t watch the video right now, Meg also gave her written impressions of the flavor, which were:
▼ “Mongeeeeeeeeee!!”
▼ “Ngaaaaaa!!!!”
▼ “What is thiiiiiis?!”
So, in other words, she wasn’t a fan. Once she regained her composure, she dubbed the taste “dimension-warping,” and the ridiculously powerful mint sensation seemed to have had a similar rending effect on her taste buds.
But Meg is a trooper, and just to make sure this wasn’t some weird fluke that only happens when you combine breath fresheners with vanilla, we decided to make up for how the first round went and next tried using a tub of Meg’s favorite, mint chocolate chip…
…which yielded results on the same order of disastrousness.
So now you can tell any mint detractors you encounter that not only does mint ice cream not taste like toothpaste or mouthwash, but freeze-dried shrimp might not be the foulest thing you can put on ice cream, either.
Images ©RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]










Mr. Sato takes on two of Muji’s most powerful Chocolate Mint ice creams*
Choc mint ice cream season hits Japan with a spectacular drinkable ice cream from Tully’s
Is Japan’s new pudding ice cream bar too much deliciousness to handle? 【Taste test】
One of Japan’s best-kept ice cream secrets…is hiding at a home improvement center? 【Taste test】
We chow down on new cheesecake ice cream bar made with real cream cheese
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
Starbucks Japan adds new Sweet Potato Frappuccino and Latte to the menu, but do they deliver the taste of autumn?
American tourist in Japan arrested on charges of attempted murder and arson
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Lego PlayStation recreates Sony’s original console, makes unusual choice for games to salute
Solo travel in Japan: $3 all-you-can-drink deal at this conveyor belt restaurant is a fun time for one
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
New Japanese KitKat captures the flavour of Baskin Robbins’ choc mint ice cream
Meg tries the new convenience store-exclusive Matcha Green Tea Steamed Bun【SoraNews24 taste test】
Pop star Aimyon inspires line of candy-cigarette flavored ice cream bars
We get our hands on some “Booby Ice Cream” from Kochi Prefecture
Fans of Japanese convenience store Seicomart go crazy for new drinkable choc-mint ice cream
Three great mint chocolate sweets to buy at 7-Eleven while the summer heat gives us an excuse
Avengers ice cream assembles at Baskin-Robbins Japan【Taste test】
We try 7-Eleven Japan’s latest fancy desserts: ice cream macarons【Taste test】
The most expensive ice cream in Japan? Metallic soft serve frays the nerves of staff who make it
Putting Japanese soy sauce on ice cream: Just crazy enough to work? 【Taste test】
Tokyo has Cold Stone vending machine after ice cream chain leaves city, but is it just as good?
Miso powder on ice cream? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, we say!【Taste test】
Turn a cheap ice cream into a luxury dessert with katsuobushi bonito fish flakes
The poop ice cream to end all poop ice creams
Soy sauce on pancakes? We try the newest dessert idea from a century-old soy maker【Taste test】
Six ice creams you should try at Baskin-Robbins Japan, according to staff who work there