Here’s the Latest Shave Ice Dessert Taking Over Hawaiʻi

 Just like K-pop, bingsu has taken Hawai‘i by storm over the last few years. It’s an addictive Korean take on Hawai‘i-style shave ice. Distinctly fluffier and more delicate, the base of bingsu is made from milk instead of water, giving it a creamier texture that’s less crystalized. Typically, the picturesque dessert is served with heaping mounds of toppings, like fruit, azuki beans mochi balls, boba, even cheesecake slices—vastly different from syrup-laden shave ice. Here are some of our favorite bingsu cafés around O‘ahu. 

Jejubing Dessert Café

Pineapple and mango Bingsu from Jejubing Dessert café.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Located on the ground floor of Ala Moana Center, K-pop plays inside Jejubing Dessert Café’s well-lit space, filled with tables and faux plants. Here, the bingsu is served in large bowls, with a spoon of condensed milk on the side that you can drizzle on top. Expect generous layers of fresh fruit, whether it be the strawberry, honeydew, watermelon, mango or pineapple, finished with whipped cream. One of Jejubing’s standouts is its injeolmi bingsu, topped with azuki beans and injeolmi, a Korean rice cake covered in roasted soybean flour. Ala Moana Center, Ground Level 1, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., @jejubingdessertcafe 

Kawaii Ice Wave

Strawberry cheesecake Ice Wave from Kawaii Ice Wave.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Located in Hawai‘i Kai and Pearlridge Center, Kawaii Ice Wave is an uber-cute spot (think pink hearts) for ice floats, sundaes and soft serve, along with what it’s dubbed “Ice Waves”—an Insta-worthy take on bingsu. Fluffy, creamy shave ice is served in bowls, piled high with condensed milk and soft serve, and then topped with real fruit, cereal or Oreos. Try the Strawberry Mango Ice Wave or Mango Cheesecake Ice Wave, which is an experience in itself: layer after layer of cubed mangoes, bingsu, soy-based soft serve in the center, and diced cheesecake. 377 Keāhole St. in Hawai‘i Kai and Pearlridge Center, 98-1005 Moanalua Road, @kawaii_icewave 

Badabingsu

Chocolate bingsu from Badabingsu.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

Open Tuesdays through Sundays from noon until 6 p.m. (or until it sells out), Badabingsu is an unassuming food truck located in Kahuku on the North Shore. But just because it isn’t a fancy café doesn’t mean you should skip it. The shave ice is extra fine, perfectly shredded and well worth the drive from Honolulu. The food truck started in 2021 and the menu has stayed simple: five flavors of mango, Melona, chocolate, pineapple and strawberry—each priced at $10. You’ll find mostly a local crowd at Badabingsu. The most popular bingsu is the mango flavor, which is topped with condensed milk, mango syrup, a scoop of vanilla ice cream and fresh mango slices. Each bite is heavenly, and there are two benches outside so you can sit down and enjoy your delicacy after a surf sesh. 56-565 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, @badabingsuhawaii 

Snowberry Hawai‘i Dessert Café

Taro bingsu from Snowberry Hawai‘i Dessert Café.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

With four locations on Guam, this café opened its first in Hawai‘i in 2020 in Mililani, a residential neighborhood in Central O‘ahu. With 21 flavors, the most popular item is the classic strawberry bingsu, which comes with finely shaved ice, mochi balls, pudding, slivered almonds, and cornflakes tucked into the center to add a crunchy texture. Guests can also add ice cream for another layer of creamy texture and sweetness. Another popular dish is the mochi bingsu, which has vanilla-flavored snow ice, a generous dusting of kinako flavor and topped with mochi balls.  95-221 Kīpapa Drive, Suite C20, Mililani, snowberrybingsu.com 

This story was originally published in our Spring 2024 issue. Buy a copy here.