Kakigori Japanese Shaved Ice

Enjoy the refreshing taste of Kakigori, a traditional Japanese shaved ice dessert! Try it topped with easy homemade syrups like matcha, strawberry, and mango.

Kakigori, a traditional Japanese shaved ice dessert, is a refreshing and delightful way to cool down on a hot day!

It's simply made with shaved ice topped with easy homemade flavorful syrups, such as matcha, mango or strawberry.

The ice's light, fluffy texture pairs perfectly with the sweet and tangy syrups, creating a dessert that's as pleasing to the palate as it is to the eye.

Whether you're making it for a summer party or as a cool afternoon treat, Kakigori is sure to impress with its simplicity and versatility.

Making Kakigori at home is easier than you might think. With just a few basic ingredients and a bit of preparation, you can create this delightful dessert in no time.

Just make a flavored syrup in a few minutes (recipes below for matcha syrup, strawberry syrup and mango syrup), then allow it to cool and pour it over ice that's been crushed in the blender until light and airy.

Matcha syrup brings an earthy depth, strawberry syrup offers a sweet-tart flavor, mango syrup delivers a tropical sweetness - so choose your favorite tastes.

You can even top it with a drizzle of sweet and creamy condensed milk!

Love frozen desserts? Be sure to also try Raspados (Mexican Shaved Ice), Cucumber Lemon Granita, or Homemade Fudgesicles.

Jump to:

• What is Kakigori?
• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Instructions
• Variations
• Serving Suggestions
• Storage
• Make Ahead Information
• Top tips
• FAQs
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

What is Kakigori?

Kakigori is a Japanese shaved ice dessert known for its fluffy texture and variety of syrups.

Traditionally enjoyed during the hot summer months, it's made by shaving ice into fine, snow-like flakes and drizzling them with sweet, flavorful syrups.

It's a popular street food in Japan and has gained popularity worldwide for its refreshing taste and customizable options.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Refreshingly Cool: Perfect for hot summer days, Kakigori is a delightful way to cool down.
• Customizable: You can experiment with different syrups and toppings to suit your taste.
• Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, anyone can make Kakigori at home.
• Impressive Dessert: Despite its simplicity, Kakigori looks and tastes impressive, making it great for entertaining.
• Fun Activity: Making Kakigori is a fun kitchen project that kids and adults alike will enjoy.
• A Taste of Japan: It's a quick and easy dessert to serve after a night of Japanese food. Make the syrups in advance, then just crush the ice and serve with the syrups.

Instructions

Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

1. Prepare one or more syrups

Matcha Syrup

Heat the water in a pan on the stove until simmering.

Whisk the matcha with a little of the hot water in a small bowl, until dissolved.

Add the sugar to the pot of simmering water and heat for 5 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved.

Whisk in the dissolved matcha and heat for a further minute. 

Strawberry Syrup

Simmer strawberries, sugar, and water for 10 minutes.

Strain through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl. Cool and refrigerate.

Mango Syrup

Simmer mango, sugar, and water for 10 minutes.

Strain through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl. Cool and refrigerate.

Assemble Kakigori

Shave ice into fine, fluffy snow using an ice shaver or whiz in a blender.

Fill a small bowl or cup with shaved ice.

Drizzle with syrups and (if using) the condensed milk.

Add optional toppings like fruit, nuts, or mochi.

Variations

Try your kakigori topped with these homemade simple syrup recipes!

Serving Suggestions

• Classic Style: Serve the shaved ice in a bowl, drizzled with your favorite syrup.
• Parfait: Layer the shaved ice with fruit and syrup in a tall glass.
• With Toppings: Add mochi, sweet red beans, or fresh fruit for added texture and flavor.
• Creamy Treat: Drizzle with sweetened condensed milk for a richer dessert.
• Party Style: Set up a Kakigori bar with different syrups and toppings for guests to customize their own.

Similar Recipes Around the World

• Bingsu (Korea): Korean shaved ice topped with sweetened condensed milk and various toppings.
• Halo-Halo (Philippines): A mix of shaved ice, evaporated milk, and various ingredients like beans, fruits, and jellies.
• Granita (Italy): A semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water, and various flavorings.
• Raspado (Mexico): Shaved ice with fruit syrups, often topped with fresh fruit and other sweet toppings.
• Patbingsu (Korea): Shaved ice with sweetened red beans, fruit, and other toppings.

Topping Ideas

• Fresh Fruit: Strawberries, mango, kiwi, pineapple.
• Sweet Red Beans: A classic topping for Kakigori.
• Mochi: Soft, chewy rice cakes.
• Fruit Compote: Add more sweet fruity flavor with these easy fruit compote recipes, such as Raspberry Compote, Frozen Berry Compote, or Mango Compote.

Storage

• Syrups: Store the syrups in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to one week.
• Ice: Keep ice cubes in the freezer until ready to use. Shaved ice should be made fresh.

Make Ahead Information

• Syrups: Prepare the syrups in advance and refrigerate. They can be made up to a week ahead.
• Ice: Shave the ice just before serving to ensure it remains fluffy and light.

FAQs

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you love this recipe, please leave a five-star rating and review in the comments below! And if you make any modifications, let us know how it went so that we can all benefit from your experience. Happy cooking!

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