News Summary
Los Angeles is reveling in the summer with an array of shaved ice options, highlighting diverse cultural variations like kakigori, bingsu, and raspados. The city’s sunny climate makes it perfect for these refreshing treats, which come in numerous flavors and textures. Notable establishments like Sul & Beans and Ululani’s showcase unique flavors, while customizable options are available at places like Salju Dessert. This growing trend reflects LA’s rich cultural landscape and its melting pot of flavors, catering to both residents and tourists looking to cool down during the hot summer days.
Los Angeles Shaved Ice: A Global Treat for the Summer Heat
Los Angeles is embracing the summer season with a refreshing and diverse array of shaved ice options, making it an ideal treat for residents and visitors looking to cool down. Various cultural variations of this icy delight, including kakigori from Japan, bingsu from Korea, raspados from Mexico, and waan yen from Thailand, are available throughout the city.
The sunny climate of Los Angeles offers perfect conditions for enjoying these frozen treats, and the city boasts a plethora of shops featuring an extensive range of flavors and textures, from crunchy to fluffy. Flavor options are abundant, catering to all preferences, with choices that include creamy, chocolatey, fruity, and fresh profiles.
Notable Shaved Ice Establishments
Sul & Beans
Sul & Beans is renowned for its bingsu, which strikes a balance between traditional Korean flavors and modern creativity. Popular flavors include taro bingsu topped with toasted coconut, sweetened red beans, and mochi. The shop also highlights a seasonal corn flavor featuring sweet corn kernels.
Ululani’s
Ululani’s specializes in Hawaiian shaved ice, offering ice with a fluffy texture reminiscent of sorbet, as opposed to the traditional crunchy form. Their menu includes unique flavors such as coconut, lilikoi, and li hing mui, with optional additions of ice cream or customizable combinations available for customers.
Tokyo Noir Bar
This unique establishment features a kakigori cocktail known as “First Love,” crafted from shochu, grapefruit, guava, milk, and boozy makkoli whipped cream. The kakigori ice is imported from Japan, praised for its delicately refined texture.
Kanomwaan
Kanomwaan offers a limited selection of Thai desserts, including mango sticky rice, bua loy with salted egg yolk, and candle-smoked ice cream, as well as Thai tea flavored shaved ice.
YESS Restaurant
YESS serves two distinct styles of kakigori: a classic strawberry version and an innovative coffee cocktail variation that showcases their creativity.
Customizable Options
Salju Dessert
For those who prefer customizing their desserts, Salju Dessert offers over 15 flavors and a variety of toppings, including many popular Southeast Asian choices.
Anko
Anko stands out for its fluffy shaved snow and expertly crafted menu options, which feature flavors like strawberry topped with mascarpone whipped cream and red bean matcha.
Oakobing
Oakobing captivates customers with its visually appealing and creamy shaved ice, offered in flavors such as mango melon served in a freshly halved honeydew melon.
La Casa De Las Frutas Locas
As for raspados, La Casa De Las Frutas Locas is a recommended spot, particularly for its unique tamarind flavor. Raspados El Chilango also enjoys a steadfast reputation in the Hollywood area.
Classic Favorites
Brian’s Shave Ice
Brian’s Shave Ice has become synonymous with traditional shave ice in Los Angeles, especially known for its rainbow flavor served with rich condensed milk.
Hang Loose
This establishment emphasizes traditional Hawaiian flavors and offers customizable toppings such as gummy bears and marshmallows, enhancing the overall experience of their shaved ice offerings.
Cultural Significance
The increasing popularity of shaved ice in Los Angeles reflects the city’s rich cultural landscape. As many different communities contribute to the local food scene, the variety of shaved ice options showcases the melting pot of flavors and traditions found within the city.
With its diverse flavors, textures, and cultural roots, LA’s shaved ice scene is set to satisfy sweet cravings and provide a refreshing escape from the summer heat.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Eater: Best Shaved Ice in Los Angeles
- The Infatuation: Best Frozen Sorbets, Paletas, and Shaved Ice
- LAist: Best Shave Ice in Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Times: Top Korean Shaved Ice
- The Infatuation: Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
- Wikipedia: Shaved Ice
- Google Search: Shaved Ice Los Angeles
- Google Scholar: Shaved Ice
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ice Cream
- Google News: Shaved Ice
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
The Hollywood Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHollywood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Hollywood Bowl summer concerts, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, film premieres at TCL Chinese Theatre, and festivals at the Magic Castle. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hollywood, plus leading businesses in entertainment, dining, and tourism that define the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HEREAnaheim.com, and HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
