DOWNEY -- Creamistry, an Irvine-based chain that specializes in made-to-order liquid nitrogen ice cream, opened its Downey store last Friday. 

Located at 11146 Downey Ave., the store is owned and operated by Jose Ontiveros. 

“We are extremely excited to bring Creamistry to Downey,” said Ontiveros. “The brand has experienced wild success throughout Southern California already – with Creamistry’s premium-quality product and fully customizable combinations, we feel confident that the Downey community will also embrace our concept.”

After being introduced to the Creamistry brand by his daughter, Ontiveros fell in love with the concept and decided it would be a perfect fit in Downey. He ultimately plans to open at least two additional locations in the area over the next two years. 
 
“We have been eagerly waiting to open our first location and are thrilled to show the people of Downey what Creamistry is all about,” added Ontiveros. 

Creamistry was founded in 2013 after founder Jay Yim was first introduced to liquid nitrogen ice cream when he spotted a street vendor making it during a trip to South Korea in 2003. Born into a family of Korean bakers, Yim and his wife, Katie, made their first homemade ice cream using liquid nitrogen with the help of his father as the quality control “chemist.”

Over the next two years, the team experimented with over a hundred flavors and combinations, the best of which eventually became an integral part of Creamistry’s menu today.
 
“We are thrilled to welcome Jose to the Creamistry team,” noted Yim. “We are incredibly pleased with the following we have garnered thus far, and are excited to see the same acclaim and recognition in Downey as we continue to expand.”

Here’s how Creamistry works: Customers choose a portion size, then an ice ceam base (premium, organic, coconut, or non-dairy sorbet), one of 30+ flavors, and then toppings from a list of 35+ options that include candy, cookies and cereal, fruits, and sauces.

The ice cream is made right before the customer with a lot of billowing smoke thanks to the flash-freezing process. When the liquid nitrogen (-321° F) hits the base it freezes so fast that ice crystals don't have a chance to develop, resulting in creamy ice cream with virtually no overrun.