Welcome to Shimazu Shave Ice
At Shimazu Shave Ice, the passion for creating the ultimate shaved ice experience shines through each frosty treat. Nestled in Honolulu, Hawaii, this gem boasts a plethora of vibrant flavors, from nostalgic cola to exotic lychee, all crafted to perfection by a dedicated one-man operation. Customers rave about the generous portions, with even the smallest size providing a delightful shareable experience. The silky, cloud-like ice melts in your mouth, delivering a refreshing embrace on warm days. Patrons can savor classic combinations or indulge in signature flavors like Grape Creme and Coconut Creme, making each visit a sweet adventure worth repeating.
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3111 Castle St, Honolulu, HI 96815 Hotline: (808) 744-0465
Welcome to Shimazu Shave Ice, an iconic destination nestled in the heart of Honolulu, Hawaii, at 3111 Castle St. This charming eatery specializes in the art of shaved ice, serving up delightful frozen treats that promise to cool you down on even the warmest of Hawaiian days.
As you step inside, you might notice the humble exterior, but do not let that deter you. Once you've made your way past the bustling street, you'll be greeted by a cozy atmosphere that features a one-man operation dedicated to crafting some of the best shaved ice on the island. With a variety of consistently praised flavors such as Mango, Pina Colada, Blue Bubblegum, and Georgia Peach, there's something to satisfy every sweet tooth. For the more adventurous, their signature flavors like Melon Bar Creme, Creme Brulee, and the indulgent Bananas Foster will surely excite your palate.
According to customer testimonials, what truly sets Shimazu apart is not just the extensive flavor offerings but the generous portion sizes. The 'keiki' (kids) size is famously large, making it an ideal shareable treat, while the regular size is almost comedic in its enormity! One visitor remarked, "The small could easily feed 2-3 people," underscoring the great value and richness of the shaved ice experience here.
- Customer Favorite: Many patrons rave about the creaminess of the ice along with the irresistible syrup. A consistent highlight appears to be how the syrup saturates the ice rather than just resting on top, providing an expertly blended taste in every bite.
- Unique Treats: The addition of mochi balls for those wanting a chewy texture alongside their fluffy ice is a unique twist making the experience even more enjoyable.
- Service Tip: Expect to wait a bit during peak times, as this beloved spot has gained quite the following among locals and tourists alike. However, the wait is often regarded as part of the experience, allowing you ample time to peruse the extensive menu and decide which flavor will win your heart.
Parking can be a little tricky, but don’t let that deter your visit. With a small lot and some nearby street options, the journey is entirely worth it. Once you’re settled in with your giant cup of shaved ice, consider enjoying it outside under the Hawaiian sun—there’s nothing quite like savoring this refreshing delight with a light breeze and a sweet tropical vibe surrounding you.
Ultimately, Shimazu Shave Ice is not just about satisfying a sweet craving; it's an experience. So if you find yourself in Waikīkī, do yourself a favor and visit this gem. The delicious flavors, gigantic portions, and friendly service promise to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.
First time here and it has been by far the best shaved ice we have had in Waikīkī. Do not be deterred from the outside as it was a bit sketchy with homeless people. But, it's worth the drive. The shaved ice is decently priced and sooo good! I would suggest getting a kids size as it's big enough to share. I also saw the regular size and it was HUGE! Definitely worth trying if you are in Waikīkī.
Was craving shaved ice and was searching for a spot. Hopped on tiktok to see where other locals go. I don't eat sweets and some people be lying with their reviews. Anyways, I liked it!!! It was good and refreshing!! Melts in your mouth kine! Syrup all the way through unlike some place only the top layer get syrup. I had an aunty go ahead of me so I could see what she ordered. She got 2 smalls and those smalls were big. Flavors were flavorful!!! Recommended 10/10.
A one-man business with his ice blocks, syrups, machine, and side merch. This place is very generous with its portions. There are about 3-4 tables if you want to sit down to eat after your purchase. Parking: They have their parking lot, and there are about 6-7 spots available. However, it's hard to find the parking entrance because there's a diner next door that also has a parking lot. I would probably circle the block twice to enter. There's also an option for side street parking, but it's very limited. Shaved Ice (Medium): Yes their medium size looks large. It's pretty funny because they have a printed picture of how big each size looks like. Mochi balls are boiled plain rice balls, there are no extra flavors/ syrups drizzled inside or outside. Ube (purple): Strong Ube flavor, tastes milky. Lychee (pink): light compared to the passionfruit. Passionfruit (yellow/orange): strong tropical fruity flavor. I would recommend ordering this if you want to order a common but uncommon fruity flavor.
I love this place so much , it's a must have on a warm day . Flavors are always amazing. Friendly family owned business. 10/10 always
Japanese + refreshing after a long day hiking - kinda labor intensive (they were solo that day) so be prepared to wait... however, that gives you ample time to consider all the flavors they have to offer - went for the Ube/lilikoi with vanilla ice cream then they shave fresh ice and cover the ice cream then douse it with the chosen flavored syrup and then finish it off with condensed milk - all over it... delishhhh... btw, while waiting upon entering it's almost a bit strip mallish - there is a very good poke place inside that shares the same bldg that served very fresh poke- just saying as i didn't get their name
While parking can be limited and tight, Shimazu shave ice is very reasonably priced and huge! Inside Hawaii's Favorite Kitchens, Shimazu's is tucked in the corner and might have a line stretching from the counter. The staff is efficient so the line can go quickly. There is some seating inside but it is pretty limited so it can be good to have somewhere else in mind to go sit after picking up your shave ice. There are many different flavors to choose from and we chose the green river, strawberry, and mango flavors. They were all good! We did not get any toppings but there are toppings available. The shave ice we got was keiki sized and we could barely finish it, and it was about $5. This is an awesome shave ice spot on the island for those looking to try an affordable staple!
Stopped by here for dessert since I was grabbing food next door. You get your moneys worth with this shaved ice!! It is HUGE!!! This is a small and could easily feed 2-3 people. He makes it on the spot so it's fresh. The ice is so light it's like a cloud.
This is the first time coming to this Shimazu Shave Ice location. We are used to going to Shimazu Store on School Street. This location is inside of Hawaii's Favorite Kitchen. They offer inside seating and A/C. A very tiny parking lot. But street parking available? He's a one-man show, so be patient with the service because the place is popular. My wife and I shared a small shave ice. It was huge! Tropical: Lilikoi-Passionfruit, Guava, & Mango. Added icecream. So soft, and pillowy.
The adventure of finding shaved ice brought us here. Plenty of flavors to choose from, but we opted for simplicity. THE FOOD. - Vanilla Shaved Ice | Ordered the small size and got the biggest small size I've ever seen! The vanilla flavor was sweetly creamy; an excellent option to try out if the other flavors seem too exotic. - Passion Shaved Ice | Citrusy with notes of cantaloupe. The perfect tropical flavor. THE VIBE. It's a small shop located left of the entrance (it shares space with another eatery). Tables are available inside, but I do feel shaved ice is best consumed out under the sun. THE PARKING AFFAIR. There's a small parking lot in front of the shop, but we just parked at the Rainbow Drive-In, ate lunch, and then walked over for shaved ice after. COMING BACK? Yes, I'd come back to try out other flavors.
This Shimazu location had its own parking lot, inside dining with tables and served up huge portions of its shaved ice. This was our third and final shave ice stop. We watched the entire prep process that started with pulling out a block of ice, the shaving and forming into that gravity defying mound that dwarfed the paper bowl and pouring of the syrup. As we ate the ice held its shape as we scooped out each mouthful. Not as messy as thought or we were just hungry and extra careful? Straws were provided to suck up the melted ice. Again great powdery soft ice but our flavor selections could've been better as the lychee, haupia and peaches and cream flavors were too subtle and similar.