Shave Ice

mort1331

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jul 15, 2012
Messages
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Still trying to figure out what the deal is with it. We are going in July for the 1st time and this is all we hear about. Now we have snow cones here and you add your flavour like I see in the videos for shave ice. Is there any real difference? Trying to understand. Thanks
 
It's basically a snow cone, but way better for some reason. Per wikipedia, "the thin ice shavings of shave ice allow for the flavored syrups to be absorbed completely instead of sinking to the bottom," and that sounds about right based on my experience.

And they drizzle sweetened condensed milk on it so it has a creamy texture.

Some people will tell you that Matsumoto's on the north shore is better than what they sell at Aulani, but (spoiler alert) it's the exact same stuff. I still recommend Matsumoto's if you're up that way, just to say you did it, but the Aulani stand uses the exact same ingredients.
 
As CaptainAmerica says above, shave Ice is basically a snow cone but it is the extremely thin shaves of ice and what goes on top of them that make it different.
We go to Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha for our shave ice.
houseofpurealoha.com
We usually go after snorkelling at Hanauma Bay, it is in a shopping plaza called Aina Haina (there is a fun pizza place in the same plaza called Pieology)
Uncle Clays make their syrups and have very Hawaiian flavours like Guava and Lilikoi

637669
 
Ok so I always give evrything a try. And we will this too. But never been a fan of snow cones,,but hey we will see thanks for your help
 

Texture is a huge component of people's tastes. I too don't find anything too compelling with snow cones but shaved ice is a whole different story.
 
I’m not a huge fan of snow ones either but I had this shaved ice today (no idea where it was just that it was some random food truck on the north shore) and it was delicious.
9860CD1D-91B1-4FBA-8247-86EF3E81CF19.jpeg38D7F47B-A6FC-40AB-8260-0EB7BE8EE84A.jpeg
 
We really like ours with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Very refreshing and yummy.
 
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It's like a sno-cone but actually the texture of soft snow, not granular ice. Most places can add sweetened condensed milk, and others can add ice cream or red beans. I love it.
 
Sorry to any fans, but try somewhere other than Matsumoto’s if you can.

Shave Ice is all about how well it’s prepared. Proper shave ice is shaved extremely thinly, requiring is a longer process to make a proper cone. Matsumoto’s often has their blades set lower, so it shaves it thicker, more grainy, but quicker to work through the (long) lines faster.

The other key to great shave ice is the syrup that’s used. Good shops will use fresh locally made syrups, which taste very different from the mostly sugar and artificial flavor syrups found elsewhere. Syrups typically used by snow cone shops cost about $10 a bottle - syrups made in Hawaii are 2-3x that amount.

Growing up on Oahu, shave ice is something very near and dear to my heart! If you’re on the Waikiki side of the island, search for Waiola Shave Ice (as featured on the Hawaii 5-0 reboot), or stop by the shave ice/crack seed store in the Hawaii Kai shopping center on your way to Hanauma Bay.

I always get mine with ice cream, but start off with one plain, and then try ice cream, or azuki beans, or condensed milk, or li hing powder. Actually, definitely try li hing powder with it!
 
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We go to Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha for our shave ice.
houseofpurealoha.com
We usually go after snorkelling at Hanauma Bay, it is in a shopping plaza called Aina Haina (there is a fun pizza place in the same plaza called Pieology)
Uncle Clays make their syrups and have very Hawaiian flavours like Guava and Lilikoi

View attachment 637669

Uncle Clay’s is in the same location that my ”auntie” used to have a crack seed store at 40 years ago. I still remember pouring my own Icees whenever my mom would go visit.

We have been going to Kokonuts in the Kokohead shopping center for decades when we go out to Haunama Bay. Been meaning to try Uncle Clays - will have to stop by the next time we visit.
 
Growing up on Oahu, shave ice is something very near and dear to my heart! If you’re on the Waikiki side of the island, search for Waiola Shave Ice (as featured on the Hawaii 5-0 reboot), or stop by the shave ice/crack seed store in the Hawaii Kai shopping center on your way to Hanauma Bay.

I always get mine with ice cream, but start off with one plain, and then try ice cream, or azuki beans, or condensed milk, or li hing powder. Actually, definitely try li hing powder with it!

Waiola Shave Ice is our "go to" for every visit on the island. I like to have azuki beans and mochi on mine!

My son attends UH Manoa and every weekend will walk from him dorm to the original store on Waiola street to treat himself to shave ice. The lines are worth waiting in!
 














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