Kakigori

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My kakigori (Japanese shave ice) syrup arrived! I know, it’s kind of silly to order shave ice syrup online, but I conducted a not-terribly-in-depth survey of local Asian markets, and none of them carried the Japanese syrup in matcha flavor. So, in steps Asian Food Grocer! Their shipping rates are very reasonable, and I ask, what price matcha? So, now it’s time for a kakigori party! In Japan they do all sorts of goofy things like scoop sweetened azuki beans onto the shaved ice, but I think I am going to opt for odango, little pounded sweet rice disks. I know, sounds kind of weird, but it’s yummy.
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The Ice Pet was excavated from my parents’ house a couple weeks ago. I have fond memories of my mother making us kakigori with it. There are special round trays for freezing ice disks, which then clamp onto the Ice Pet. It regurgitates whisper-thin, snowlike shavings. Let’s hope the vintage, primitive Ice Pet is still functional after all these years!

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15 Responses to Kakigori

  1. Jan says:

    I am drooling. And btw, I love sweetened azuki beans…on anything!
    I think it’s time for another trip to Japan…or Portland. Ha!

  2. Donna says:

    I was so tickled when last summer I found a genuine Japanese-words-on-the-box kakigori maker at the Asian grocery store–there is are hardly ever Japanese things, mostly Chinese and Korean. It seems a bit dangerous–there’s a big sort of razor blade kind of propped up inside that shaves the block of ice as you turn the handle.
    There is an episode of the Japanese dorama Trick, where the main character is making kakigori in her apartment, she shaves the ice into a bowl, squirts in syrup–then cracks a whole egg into it, stirs it up and eats it. Is that really something done in Japan?

  3. debbie says:

    oh what i wouldn’t do for a nice cone of shaved ice! local style includes azuki beans, condensed milk, ice cream — you name it we got it!check out the flavors at matsumotoshaveice.com

  4. kat says:

    Yeah don’t forget the condensed milk – yum, yum, yum!!

  5. megan says:

    kakigori at kyomizudera…mmmmmm. now i really have to come up for a visit!

  6. i would guess that an older gadget would be sturdier and better than a newer one…. that one should work great!!!!
    yes… be sure to pour on some sweetened condensed milk… that is the very very best part!

  7. Dana says:

    Ack! We had one like that growing up. Oooo, I wonder if my parents still have it? Kakigori sounds perfect right now.

  8. Julie says:

    How fun! (And appropriate considering it is ridiculously hot here.) I’m guessing that old fashioned ice shaver will work great — no technological advances to muck things up! I’m putting it on my garage sale search list 🙂

  9. mamichan says:

    Kakigoori — how nostalgic!

  10. Jennifer says:

    I don’t know about any of these exotic ices… but I do know that I love that paw peaking in the corner of that photo. Looks like he can hardly wait to get his share.

  11. Susan says:

    I love beans on ice things! Corn is good too, I had that in malaysia or something. And those little weird strips of Jello….
    Show us your panties!

  12. oh man. you so lucky. i LOVE azuki beans in my shaved ice though. yum *drool*. I’ve never had it with odango… interesting. eat extra for me!

  13. Yummy!! I have never tried the beans before. But it sounds like something I would go for!

  14. justJENN says:

    That is truly the GOOD stuff. Best flavors ever!

  15. Seanna Lea says:

    That sounds really good (and would have sounded even better last week when we were having another little heat wave). I have some adzuki beans waiting for me to make red bean everything (maybe ice cream?).

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