Tokyo: Kakigori at Yelo – Let it snow!

Kakigori, Japanese shaved ice, is one of the most refreshing treats you can get yourself in the summer. The “flakes” are much lighter than the shaved ice in Denmark, almost like a cup full of snow, and the fluffy texture makes it almost impossible to eat without a spoon.

You can get kakigori at lots of places all over the city, but the very best comes from the cafes specializing exclusively in the traditional dessert. Some of them have been around forever, but new places are also popping up, offering a more modern take on the concept.

One of them is Yelo in Roppongi, which was my pick on that hot day in July. Avocado Mascarpone, Tiramisu and Mango Lassi were just some of their new-age inventions, which all seemed to be calling my name. It was hard to pick just one, but I ended up going for the almost- too-pretty-too-eat Pastels!, which came sprinkled with Oiri, soft candy balls from Kagawa.

On the side was a small glass of rose- and vanilla-flavored condensed milk, which you were supposed to pour over the kakigori just before eating it, and which gave the kakigori a creamy taste, almost like ice cream. おいしいです!

Yelo, Patio Roppongi 1F, 5-2-11 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo

Address in Japanese: イエロ, 六本木5-2-11, パティオ六本木1F, 東京都 〒106-0032