Cool Off at Ice Forest

By Jaimie Kim

If you’re wandering downtown on a lunch break looking for something to eat, but find yourself distracted by the heat, detour to Ice Forest for a treat that will fill you up and cool you down.

And with four different toppings that are made from scratch — azuki, local taro, mochi balls and custard — the number of shave ice and snow ice variations are practically endless.

“We don’t add any artificial ingredients or preservatives; it’s all natural ingredients,” shares owner Andrew Huang.

Double-Custard, Mochi Balls ($6) is served on a generous portion of shave ice that features a house-made custard. The mochi balls, made fresh daily with mochi rice, are soft and bite-size. And as a lunch alternative, it’s served with just the right amount to leave you satiated and satisfied.

Another favorite to sample: Azuki, Taro, Mochi Balls ($6). Also served atop shave ice, the azuki and taro — just like the mocha balls — are made fresh and feature local ingredients. The taro topping is sweet without being too sugary, and highlights flavors unique to Hawaii.

For something a little different, Custard and Mochi Balls, Condensed Milk ($6.50), served on snow ice, is a dish only featured at Ice Forest.

And if you’re wondering what the difference is between shave ice and snow ice, Huang explains, “The best way I can describe snow ice is imagine a block of ice cream you freeze and then shave; so all the sugars and flavors are in there.”

Ice Forest

202 Merchant St., Honolulu
383.1824
Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday, 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
ice-forest.com