Japanese Food

Shaved ice is a cold dessert made by finely shaving ice and adding syrup on top. The history of shaved ice is quite old, and it is said that the custom of eating shaved ice dates back to the late 10th century. At that time, ice was extremely rare and valuable, making shaved ice a luxury only accessible to the nobility.

Today, shaved ice can be easily enjoyed at home. Popular syrup flavors include strawberry, melon, Blue Hawaii, condensed milk, and matcha. There are many shops throughout Japan that specialize in shaved ice, and some offer unique and special varieties, using ice made from natural water, ice with a fluffy texture, or purées made from seasonal fruits instead of syrup.

Shaved ice stalls are a common sight at summer events such as festivals and fireworks displays. When the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius, shaved ice is often preferred over ice cream. When eating shaved ice, it’s a good idea to start by making a small hole on the side. If you dive right in with a spoon, the shaved ice is likely to spill. By creating a hole on the side and letting the surrounding shaved ice fall into it before scooping, you can enjoy every bite without any mess and loss.