Kakigōri, or shaved ice, is the quintessential Japanese summer dessert, but specialty shops offering it year-round are not uncommon.
Some shops offer simple shaved ice with just syrup, while others go all out with toppings, creating elaborate, cake-like creations. The variations are endless depending on the shop.
If you’re looking for rich, full-bodied shaved ice with a focus on syrup, “Saika” in Asakusa is the place to visit!
Just like drinking actual strawberry juice! “Special Strawberry Shaved Ice”
With a generous amount of strawberry syrup, the “Special Strawberry Shaved Ice” is a popular menu item at Saika, colored a vibrant red. The tartness of the syrup and the sweet aroma clearly indicate that strawberries are the star of this dessert.
“特製いちご氷,” Special Strawberry Shaved Ice 1,350 JPY (tax included)
The syrup has a thick, velvety consistency, with a flavor that feels like it’s made entirely from strained strawberries, bursting with fruitiness. As the ice melts on your tongue, the strawberry flavor and pulp linger in your mouth, maintaining their presence throughout the dish.
The clean tartness, refreshing sweetness, and rich syrup make it a must-try for strawberry lovers!
Saika’s dedication to syrup can also be seen in the way they make their shaved ice. While many shaved ice shops drizzle syrup in multiple rounds as the ice is shaved, at Saika, syrup is poured at the bottom of the bowl first, followed by more added as a finishing touch.
In addition, customers can refill the syrup for free during their meal. This ensures that even as the ice melts and the syrup dilutes, they can continue enjoying the rich flavor to the very last bite!
Free syrup refills are available for all types of shaved ice.
Uji matcha and red bean: a perfect harmony of bitterness and sweetness
For a traditional Japanese sweets experience, try the “Matcha Red Bean” shaved ice, which combines matcha and azuki red bean.
“抹茶小豆,” Matcha Red Bean 1,350 JPY (tax included)
This dessert is topped with a generous amount of azuki beans, carefully simmered from three different varieties. The coarsely mashed red beans release a rich aroma from their outer layers, perfectly balancing sweetness and depth.
The shaved ice is paired with Saika’s special matcha syrup, which is made by dissolving Uji-grown matcha in shiramitsu, a lightly colored sugar syrup. This blend has a thick sweetness but also a refreshing bitterness that lingers on the palate, creating a light aftertaste.
The sweetness of the red beans is perfectly balanced by the matcha syrup, making it irresistible and impossible to stop eating!
The ice itself is finely shaved and soft, resembling powdery snow. It’s made by finely grinding crystal-clear ice using a sharp blade, and the moment it enters your mouth, it melts effortlessly, creating an exquisite texture.
For matcha lovers: “Homemade Matcha Pudding”
In addition to shaved ice, Saika also offers a variety of other Japanese sweets, including anmitsu (traditional Japanese dessert featuring agar jelly and red bean paste often with fruit), oshiruko (a traditional Japanese dessert soup), and even puddings. All of them feature traditional Japanese ingredients such as azuki beans and matcha.
“コーヒーと自家製抹茶プリンのセット,” Coffee and Homemade Matcha Pudding Set 1,200 JPY (tax included)
One of the standout items is their “Homemade Matcha Pudding,” a perfect blend of Japanese and Western dessert styles.
The pudding has a slightly firmer texture but is smooth and velvety on the tongue. Its mild sweetness and distinct matcha flavor stand out, creating a refreshing and satisfying treat.
The pudding is topped with azuki beans and kinako (roasted soybean flour) instead of the caramel that often tops puddings in Japan, offering a unique combination of flavors.
You can enjoy the rich sweetness of the azuki or add the nutty aroma of the kinako for a different flavor experience.
Expect long lines in the summer at Saika in Asakusa
Saika’s exterior
Saika’s interior is designed in a modern Japanese style, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere. You can escape the hustle and bustle of Asakusa’s popular tourist spots and enjoy a relaxing time.
Saika’s interior
Shaved ice is especially popular in the summer, and this shop reportedly serves over 200 cups per day—clear proof of just how in-demand it is.
Even in winter, the shop’s popularity remains strong. Though not as busy as summer, some days still see a constant flow of customers.
Reservations are not accepted, so if you’re able to enter without waiting in line, consider it a stroke of good fortune!
Take your time and enjoy their exquisite selection of Japanese sweets!
Information
| Store name | 彩夏 Saika |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-32-3 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Asakusa Station 2-minute walk from Exit 6
Asakusa Station 6-minute walk from Exit A1
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| Phone number | 03-3843-5199 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | Mon-Fri. 11:00-18:30（last order 18:00） Sat-Sun. 11:00-19:00（last order 18:30） |
| Closed | No fixed holidays Unscheduled holidays |
| Seating | 22 seats 2 counter seats, 20 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://www.instagram.com/asakusasaika/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of December 2024.
