Memorable | One of the Best
Matsumoto Shave Ice
Review by: Roadfood Team
Original Hawaiian shave ice at its finest
Throughout the world, almost everyone has enjoyed finely chopped flavored ice served in paper cups. In Hawaii locals produce a similar concoction. It is called shave ice and the best comes from Matsumoto on the north shore of Oahu. Most tourists will simply drive by this non-descript general store that sells everything from t-shirts to snorkeling equipment. But those who recognize the refreshing affect of sipping flavored liquid runoff produced by the shave ice, line up in this dank hole-in-the-wall to partake in a Hawaiian tradition.
What should I eat at Matsumoto Shave Ice?
As you make your way through the line, you eventually reach the unique ice-shaving machine. This machine takes a block of clear ice and finely cuts micron thin slices that forms a non-granular slush ready to be piled high in a paper cone. Matsumoto offers a variety of colorful flavored liqueur toppings. They are poured over the shave ice giving it a rainbow of wonderful colors. It is most refreshing, either plain or adorned with ice cream or sweet adzuki beans
For a slight extra charge, you can get a small ball of vanilla ice cream or a spoon full of sweet flavored “azuki” beans. These are placed in the bottom of the cup beneath the ice. This added treat greatly enhances the overall taste experience as you slurp the resulting melting slurry through your straw. Take lots of napkins with you since the combination of rapid ice meltdown and the limited cup capacity will eventually produce overflow. But, on a balmy 80+ degree Hawaiian day- what could taste better?!
*Original Post by Big Rush*
Directions & Hours
Information
| Price | $ |
| Seasons | All |
| Meals Served | Lunch, Dessert |
| Credit Cards Accepted | No |
| Alcohol Served | No |
| Outdoor Seating | Yes |
What To Eat
Shave Ice with Ice Cream and Azuki Beans
DISH
Matsumoto Shave Ice Recipes
Discuss
What do you think of Matsumoto Shave Ice?
2 Responses to “Matsumoto Shave Ice”
Marilee Berg
September 22nd, 2006
Over 30 years ago, my husband and I first sampled a shaved ice cone with sweet beans and ice cream at Matsumotos, and loved it. We returned numerous times during the two years we lived on Oahu.
This past January, we returned to Hawaii and on an excursion to the North Shore, returned to Matsumoto’s for the first time in 30 years. We expected change, but while the store itself has more tourist souvenirs and beach junk, it was largely unchanged and just as rustic as we remembered. The lines of eager snow cone fans were longer and we couldn’t help but wonder if the product was as good as in our memories.
It was even better! There are more syrup flavors and with the addition of some odd things I’ll call plastic drip collars, the experience is still sweet indeed. We had brought along our daughter and son in law, and all four of us lined up, watching the old timey ice shaver scrape the big ice blocks and fill the paper cones high as a snow covered mountain peak. We had a hard time choosing flavors and so did as many do, and ordered a rainbow. I especially recommend the passion fruit and lime, but you may find chocolate or any of some 20-plus flavors to your liking.
We found our way to a shady bench outdoors by the parking lot; not exactly picturesque, except that it’s the same old tree-lined lot outside the store we remembered from so many years ago… and the whole atmosphere there in Haleiwa is remarkably unchanged.
Sometimes, pleasure is such a deliciously simple and unadulterated thing… and a warm afternoon’s Matsumoto Shave Ice, with or without adzuki beans and ice cream, is still one of life’s great little pleasures.
Stephen Rushmore
April 19th, 2001
Throughout the world, almost everyone has enjoyed finely chopped flavored ice served in paper cups. In Hawaii locals produce a similar concoction called shave ice and the best comes from Matsumoto on the north shore of Oahu. While most tourists will simply drive by this non-descript general store that sells everything from t-shirts to snorkeling equipment, those who recognize the refreshing affect of sipping flavored liquid runoff produced by the shave ice, line up in this dank hole-in-the-wall to partake in a Hawaiian tradition.
As you make your way through the line, you eventually reach the unique ice-shaving machine that literally takes a block of clear ice and finely cuts micron thin slices that forms a non-granular slush ready to be piled high in a paper cone. Matsumoto offers a variety of colorful flavored liqueur toppings that are poured over the shave ice giving it a rainbow of wonderful colors.
For a slight extra charge, you can get a small ball of vanilla ice cream or a spoon full of sweet flavored “azuki” beans placed in the bottom of the cup beneath the ice. This added treat greatly enhances the overall taste experience as you slurp the resulting melting slurry through your straw. Take lots of napkins with you since the combination of rapid ice meltdown and the limited cup capacity will eventually produce overflow. But, on a balmy 80+ degree Hawaiian day- what could taste better?!