Bites! Shari Shari Kakigori

It’s 3PM. Your blood sugar needs a boost to fuel your hike up the mountain of paperwork stacked on your desk. It’s too early to order dinner since you are not a farmer and are not planning on being in bed by sundown. You want something sweet, something to cure the Monday Blues. That’s when Snack Attack comes to the rescue! We feature some of the most unique, mouthwatering, edible eye (and mouth) candy you can find. On todays plate: Shari Shari Kakigori!

In this first edition, I am going to take you to the blossoms of cherry orchards, right here in Hong Kong and hopefully this will cool you down in the spring humidity.

‘’Sakura, Sakura, noyamamo satomo’’ I hummed along and buzzed through the crowds of Causeway Bay. After dodging the speeding Mario carts pushed by grannies and staying clear of the Formula 1 minibuses, I landed in the quiet alley of Haven Street. Haven Street, if you are unaware, is full of Japanese eateries and I was there to visit Shari Shari Kakigori. Shari Shari, the sound you make when eating ice, is also where I met with the shaved-ice fanatic, and owner, Shingo Take.

Japanese shaved ice was traditionally served only in festivals and street stalls and has long been one of the most popular desserts in Tokyo and across Japan. Kakigori is a Japanese dessert, made with shaved ice, flavored with syrup and often with condensed milk. Its texture is smooth, cloud-light, and best of all, this dessert is almost guilt free! Shingo san, having grown up in Tokyo, wanted to introduce his favorite dessert to the rest of the world. He revamped the concept of kakigori, mastered the art of blending his own syrups, and launched this heavenly getaway on Haven Street.

Opened in late 2015, Shari Shari has already gained an impressive group of loyal followers. As we were sharing a kakigori (or 3), customers kept coming in and Shingo knew everyone of them. I got chatty with a couple of his regulars, and found out that they frequent a few times a month as a little get away from their office. I love the concept of Shari Shari: their ingredients are imported from Japan to keep its authenticity and everything is made by hand, from their syrups to the yogurt they use in mango lassi shaved-ice.

What’s the special at Shari Shari Kakigori? Shingo and I shared 3 of the signature shaved-ices.

First up was the spectacular Sakura Blossom Special from Shari Shari Kakigori.

Sakura Blossom Kakigori from Shari Shari with whipped-cream, sakura syrup, strawberry crunch, cookies and mochi

The taste is not something you can describe. If you have been to Japan to witness their cherry blossom season, then this dessert will bring back snowfalls of memories. It tastes as you might imagine cherry blossom would taste, and gives off the subtle scent of walking through the falling petals of romantically pink prunus.

Be sure to catch the last wave of Sakura before the first week of May. Shari Shari only offers the Sakura Blossom Special once a year during the season of cherry blossom in Japan.

Mango Lassi Kakigori from Shari Shari with homemade yogurt, Hokkaido milk and frozen mango.

This is perfect for mango-philiacs, who long for a pop of zest. It was a pure delight and a twist to a frozen yogurt. It’s refreshing and the sweetness is right and just hit the spot.

Tofu Kakigori with homemade kuromitsu caramel syrup, kinako soybean powder and oreo cookies and tofu ice cream.

This is a must try. I was surprised how refreshing this is. I love tofu but I usually eat it as a main instead of dessert. I was praising it so much that two of the customers were wondering what we were having. So I asked for two extra spoons. They tested it and immediately said they would return the next day to order it. They felt guilty about diving in, but I was more than happy to share. As Shingo san said, kakigori tastes even better when you share.

Shingo Take, owner of Shari Shari Kakigori

Shari Shari is a fantastic idea, perfectly refreshing as a sweet delight in this humid weather. Their shaved ice is fluffy, smooth, and airy as cotton candy; the recipes and combination of the syrups on top of the snowy ice are all made with love by the Hokkaido native, Shingo. Shari Shari is a hidden gem, and should be the ultimate recovery pit stop after your retail therapy in Causeway Bay.

Shari Shari Kakigori

Address: G/F, No. 14, Haven Street, Causeway Bay
Opening Hours: 1PM – Midnight Daily
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ShariShari.Kakigori

How do I get there?
Walk from Sogo towards Leighton Road (near Lee Garden) until you reach a crossroad as the picture shows below. You will be standing in front of the famous local bakery, Danish Bakery, the corner shop of Leighton Road. Cross the road and turn left until you see a sign Via Tokyo then turn right onto Haven Street, walk along and Shari Shari is opposite.