With the heat wave, I thought it was an appropriate time for me to have this post where I highlight SSshaved Ice. I included SShaved Ice, a pop up on which offers Portland Japanese shaved ice on announced Saturdays at Courier Coffee, on my Eater PDX article The Hottest Portland Pop-Ups Right Now, Summer 2017. Here are some more detailed photos of some of the amazingness that you can find. You can find out when they are popping up by following their Instagram, @ssshavedice, usually it is Saturdays at Courier Coffee at 923 SW Oak from Noon – 4 PM (or until run out!).
Sakiko Setaka is the genius behind this offering, with help from her partner/Courier owner Joel Domreis. Sakiko explained that when she came to Portland from Japan in 201, what she missed the most was Japanese shaved ice, not ramen or sushi. So, when she and Joel in Japan in 2013, they were visiting tons of places wherever they could find shaved ice, both famous shaved ice shops but also neighborhood kiosk, Takoyaki-shops and ramen shops, from country-side to cities. Those owners/chefs were quite generous as they asked them about machines/tips/the way to serve it and encouraged her to bring Japanese Shaved Ice abroad to us!
Finally, in 2015 they went back to Japan and purchased the machine, about 50 lbs and a bit heavier than check-in limit, thus the need to hand carry it! The pop up was slightly delayed when Sakiko found out she was pregnant and so it was limited to shaved ice back-yard parties, but now that her little one is not always being carried by her, they are trying this pop up out, working around their personal obligations and family and also offering the Japanese Shaved Ice for some private event.
They manually shave the ice right before you so it is at the perfect right angle using a Japanese shaved ice machine with a super fine blade cutting it into ribbons. This results in the fluffy, melt i your mouth texture so even though it looks large, don’t be surprised when you can finish it all in just a short period of time because it is so light.
They will always have their coffee option: this is the Coffee Special which during my visit included Coffee syrup, condensed milk, caramelized nuts and sunflower seeds.
Then, there’s the Uji Matcha Milk Kintoki with matcha green tea, sweet Adzuki beans, tofu mochi, and condensed milk.
The one that rotates is the fruit option. One visit this was Strawberry Milk Kintoki with Ricotta Caramel.
More recently, I’ve seen blackberry, and here a Raspberry Special with Raspberry syrup from Groundworks organic raspberries at today’s Farmer’s Market, condensed milk, and garnished with lime
By default the Japanese shaved ice treats come with condensed milk, but they also offer coconut condensed milk for those who are vegan or need to be dairy free. Thank you, thank you Sshaved Ice for bringing this Japanese Shaved Ice, which is more fluffy and less sweet (less fruit) then Hawaiian shave ice.
Have you had Japanese Shaved Ice before? What flavors would you try?
All of these look beautiful and so delicious! I’ll definitely be in need of shaved ice when I get back to Portland Tuesday after being on vacation – I heard there’s a huge heat wave happening right now in Portland!