Pau Hana Shave Ice

Authentic Hawaiian shave ice! Ultra fine shave ice, sweet syrupy flavors, sno cap (condensed milk) mochi, ice cream. I recommend their large size, which includes two flavors. Be bold and add the sno cap, and haupia ice cream! They also feature some fancy specials like their strawberry shortcake: ice cream and strawberries!

Wonderful place in JTOWN for an ice cold treat! Everything is really delicious but today we had Halo Halo and a custom, “build your own” shaved ice which turned out really good. The Halo Halo had a little twist with fruity pebbles instead of pinipig and was still as traditional as it can be along with a huge scoop of ube ice cream and leche flan. We wanted to purchase some shirts but for me, they were a tad overpriced. If they were lowered down to $22 or $25, maybe offer a deal for 2 or more it would’ve been more reasonable as I wanted to purchase a couple. The service was excellent, easy ordering and a short wait for your treat as it is being made. Swing by and try their Dole Whip and Mangonada too!

🍧 Authentic Hawaiian Texture and Flavor If you are looking for a true taste of the islands, Pau Hana Shave Ice is a must-visit. The most impressive part of the experience is the texture of the ice itself. It is incredibly fine and soft, meaning it melts in your mouth almost instantly. Unlike many mainland spots that serve "chunky" or crunchy ice, this place gets the consistency exactly right—it’s a light, fluffy snow that holds the syrup perfectly. It tasted pretty close to Hawaii, which is a high bar to clear for any shave ice shop on the mainland. ✨ Great Specials and Easy Customization The menu at Pau Hana is diverse and offers something for everyone. They have a variety of specials that looked really good, featuring pre-set flavor combinations and traditional toppings like li hing mui, mochi, or a "snow cap" of condensed milk. Even though those signature items were tempting, we decided to get a custom order, and the staff handled it perfectly. The syrups are flavorful without being overly syrupy or artificial-tasting, and they offer a great balance of sweetness. ⚡ Speedy Service Despite the Crowds Given how popular this spot is, it’s almost always busy, but don't let the lines at the window intimidate you. We visited when it was quite crowded, yet the service was surprisingly quick. The team behind the counter clearly has a great system down, as they were churning out orders at a fast pace without sacrificing the quality of the shave. It’s the perfect place to grab a refreshing treat when you’re exploring Japantown or the surrounding area. Authentic Shave: No "pebbly" ice here; it’s the real deal, finely shaved from a block. Friendly Vibe: Despite the rush, the staff maintained a positive and helpful attitude. Neighborhood Gem: Located in a vibrant area, it’s a perfect stop after grabbing coffee or lunch nearby. Topping Variety: From azuki beans to different types of ice cream for the bottom, they have all the classic Hawaiian additions. 👍 Final Verdict: A Solid 4-Star Treat I’m giving Pau Hana Shave Ice 4 stars on Google. It is a yummy, refreshing experience that hits all the right notes for authenticity. While it can be a bit of a wait during peak hours, the quality of the ice and the speed of the service make it well worth it. It’s easily one of the best dessert options in San Jose, and I’ll definitely be going back to try some of those specials next time!

I love this place! The size is large, the price is fair, and the shaved ice is delicious on a hot day. I got coconut and cotton candy with coconut ice cream (on the bottom) and condensed milk and mochi on top. Definitely get the condensed milk!!

One of the best desserts I've ever eaten. I ordered the POG shave ice with coconut ice cream on the bottom topped with condensed milk and it truly was incredible. The standout reason is that the ice is shaved so finely that it melts with the syrups and ice cream in this really special way. This was better than any shave ice I've ever had in Hawaii too. I live in San Francisco but will be making trips to San Jose more regularly just to visit Pau Hana.

We had a great experience here; definitely made me want to go visit Hawaii again! The mochi topping is so super soft and chewy, and the coconut ice cream was creamy and delicious. Perfect for a super hot day! The only thing was our shaved ice was incredibly sweet, too sweet for us, but that could have been our mistake with choosing the flavors (strawberry and calamansi) and also adding gummy bears for the toppings as well. I’ll have to try other flavors or their specialty options next time!

Went in at 1:15pm on a Sunday and father'a day. No problems parking in free street parking (on other days there's metered parking i believe) Food was lovely, i ordered a halo-halo and in particular added extra toppings with the pandan mochi which was really delicious. Service was great numbers were quickly called out when orders werw ready and you can easily see staff work on each order. Atmosphere was great, excellent for both adults and kids alike withr he colorful offerings. Though note that there is almost no space to eat inside so expect to each outside.

As a family from HI we have high expectations for shave ice and typically don't even bother so we won't be disappointed. Pau Hana did not disappoint (can't expect the portion size of HI), the texture, oh the texture is as it should be. Light, fluffy, and delicate, as good as good local places in HI. Would absolutely come back here to satisfy the shave ice urge. I ordered a custom mix to recreate the Korean style bingsu with red beans, condensed/evaporated milk, and mochi. The flavors were good and worthy of your patronage. 8/28/23 We've been here since but thought I'd update with a new review. No surprise, it's as good as ever, soft fluffy shaved ice, good flavor in the syrup. This time baby girl had Melona and watermelon with condensed milk and mochi topping. The mochi was good, not those commercially manufactured balls, and that condensed milk with the syrup was delicious. Also had the Halo Halo. Good sized scoop of ube ice cream, I like the fruity pebbles instead of pinipig (crispy rice) but I love fruity pebbles. Delicious. There's stuff at the bottom so when you can reach out you might want to dig down there and retrieve the jackfruit, banana, and thin sliced buko. No kaong though.

~ SOFTEST ICE ~ MUST TRY. Their shaved ice is soo soft and "not too sweet". I really like their mango flavor. The service is super nice and makes you feel like family. There are some outdoor seating in front of the store and around the area.

We each ordered a special and honestly could have easily shared one! Tried the halo halo and dole whip. Lots of flavors to try another time. The person who took the order was chill. There's a small waiting area and a couple picnic tables outside which were both full. Nice for a casual stop by when you're in the mood for sweets.

Hours vary, they're supposed to be closed on Mondays but I've been in Japantown and noticed them open sometimes. The interior is small but it's nice and clean with just one couch, the man who made my shave ice took his time and was thorough with my cup. He helped answer some of my questions and recommended flavors that would be good together. I liked the small cup with tiger's blood and lychee, condensed cream is a good add on, and the self serve linghui powder is really tasty. In total for me it was $7.65, the portion was pretty big, easily could finish it sharing with someone else. They melt so fast though, even in the winter. I want to come back here with another person to share a cone in warmer weather.

The shaved ice here is sooo good on a hot day. When I went there was a decent amount of wait but the workers are so nice and work efficiently. The inside is very small as it is in Japantown in San Jose. There is seating outside tho. The halo halo shaved ice was my favorite with all the different toppings which really catered to my taste texture wise. The ice cream on the shaved ice was also so great and helped fully enhance the dessert.

I am no expert on things Hawaiian, but the shaved ice (or rather, shave ice) at Pau Hana is the best I've ever had. I was reminded of this when I was back in San Jose visiting family & went to J-Town to pick up a few foodstuffs that I could take home to Colorado with me, and Pau Hana happened to be open. I couldn't resist going in, even though it is winter and arguably not shaved ice weather. What I love most - the ice is shaved so finely that it just melts in your mouth, so you can enjoy whatever flavors you got without crunching on ice. I also love the availability of Asian flavors I don't get to see much in Colorado. Oh and the variety of toppings! But truth be told, I find I get decision fatigue so I usually go with one of their specials, halo halo being my favorite. This time around they were out of ube ice cream (oh, no!) but I learned that they now have pandan ice cream so I tried that - just as yummy! While Pau Hana is not an OG J-Town institution that I remember from my childhood they are a great fit for the neighborhood character. I'll be sure to visit no matter the weather when I am in town.

Pau Hana is definitely one of the best in the Bay for Hawaiian shave ice! Other than Ululani's in Livermore, Pau Hana is great and local for those living in the South Bay. They have so many flavors that it's honestly hard to decide what to get since you want to try them all. I got 3 different kinds and split them amongst my family. Our overall favorite was their take on halo halo but nonetheless, all of them were great. I really like the texture of the ice and their mochi is extremely soft and chewy so I highly recommend as a topping

Small lychee/ passionfruit! Wow it's so good, better than Ululani's- not too sweet, and isn't overly saturated with the syrup. Will come back if we're in the area!

Craving some shave ice just like your get in Hawaii? Look no further. The line out to door told us we had arrived to the right place. The line moved quickly and from order to ice in hand was barely a wait at all. I made my own (coconut ice cream bottom, calamansi and mango with mocha and condensed cream on top. DELISH! There's tables and a bench outside so you can finished it before it melts.

The closest thing to having shaved ice in Hawaii! The ice is so soft & the flavors are perfect & not too sweet. The staff is very friendly, I believe the owner is the one who took our order & we forgot to add gummy bears to my daughters ice cream order & he gladly added it on for us -- so we really appreciated that. We ordered a large shaved ice with condensed milk on top, a regular shaved iced with condensed milk & a scoop of ube ice cream on the side for a little less than $20. We loved it & it was the perfect sweet treat on a hot day. We'll definitely be back!

As a Japantown resident, I'm so immensely happy that Pau Hana exists within walking distance for me. But even if I had to drive & look for parking, I'd still come - Pau Hana is just that good. The shave ice is as close to Ululani's as you can get without having to trek to Livermore or Hawaii itself. Their Halo Halo is perfect to share between two people (or just get it for yourself, no judgement) and it comes with a little bit of everything to satisfy a dessert craving: ice cream, shave ice (obvi), boba, flan, fruity pebbles. If you're a purist, their shave ice alone is great as well. I love getting mochi as a topping, it's soo soft. I just wish they were open later in the summer - my opinion is if the sun's still out, shave ice should still be an option!

We ran the San Jose Rock & Roll half marathon in unbearable heat! Pau Hana Shave Ice was our after race treat and did not disappoint. Nothing like shave ice to cool you down! Mahalo!!

If you're coming on a weekend it can be very busy. Like wait out the door in a line. Especially during the summer. But if you come here during the fall expect no wait at all. The service is quick, the store is clean with pictures, clothing and a tv. The only downside is that there's hardly any seating. They have two picnic benches outside along with other tables next door. So it can get super packed where you'll have to stand and eat. The shaved ice is yummy. My family and I love the texture of the ice. My favorite on their menu is the halo halo shaved ice with ube ice cream. When we are craving Hawaiian shaved ice we come here.

Cute small shop in Japantown, they have one couch inside and two tables outside for seating. We went around 5 PM and there was a decent sized line. There was a bit of a wait; we probably waited around 25 minutes before we were able to place our orders, and then another 10 minutes before we able to get them. We both ordered smalls and were not expecting how much ice there was (no complaints though). Comparing to Matsumoto's, the ice is piled high and the flavor to ice ratio is perfection. The ice itself is fluffy and so yummy. The mochi is hands down the best part of the dessert though. It's the perfect chewy bite and they give you so much. Though you would have to wait a bit for their shaved ice, I would highly recommend. Definitely want to try their specialty ices next!

Got the rainbow and POG flavors. Rainbow just tasted like sugar syrup with red 40 dye. The POG tasted like a hint of coconut even though POG passion fruit, orange, and guava. Flavors aside, this is one is the better shaved ice places I've been to solely based on the fluffy texture of the shaved ice.

The taste is the closest to the one in Hawaii! I ordered Strawberry and Coconut with vanilla ice cream and condensed cream. The shaved ice, ice cream, and syrup ratio was on point; creamy yet refreshing once combined together. The only downside here is the wait. I went on a "slower" day where I was third in line but it took over 40 minutes to get my shaved ice. The gentleman was alone and took about a few orders at a time before starting on making them. Is it worth the wait? I'm not sure. I was first in line and had the patience. But I cannot think of being outside in line waiting my turn on a weekend which could lead to being over an hour or so.

Located in the heart of Japan town of San Jose, it is very close to a lot of the local restaurants there. We went on a Thursday afternoon and hour before closing and there was a line outside the door. The man behind the counter was running the entire operation. He was taking orders and making the shaved ice simultaneously. We tried the tigers blood and pog mix with fresh mochi and condensed milk and mango ice cream. The mochi was very good and fresh. The flavors were very rich and blended really well that it wasn't too sweet, the ice cuts out a lot of the flavor.

Came back and this place does not disappoint!! I typically go with my choice of flavors with condensed milk. However, honestly think any option you prob can't go wrong. Wish this was so much closer , I'd be here all the time.

Walked in on Saturday afternoon and the place was pretty busy. Plenty of people sitting outside and inside eating shaved ice. They have ice cream and shaved ice and specialty combos although some were sold out. 5 stars for the delicious horchata shaved ice. The specialty shaved ice comes with ice cream and this was at the bottom. The whipped cream was so good. It was better than what I had in Maui and the ice was so fine. Hmmmm. I think I have to come back again... maybe tomorrow since it's only 10 min from me......

This place is a delicious gem to Japantown in San Jose! The service was efficient and friendly. It's a walk-in and walk-out vibe but there is a bench inside to wait if needed. Otherwise, I would try to snag one of the tables outside. The flavors are pretty solid and the texture of the ice was spot on. The only thing was that the flavors seemed to melt all the way to the bottom...I did expect some melt but not as much. To elevate your experience-ask for a snow cap!

We came here on a Friday evening for dessert and there was little wait and we were able to order and get our shaved ice relatively quickly. One thing to note is that seating is limited. We ordered the small Shave Ice which comes by default with 2 flavors and we got P.O.G. and Melona. This was delicious and a great combination - Melona was sweet and the P.O.G. was not as sweet which was a good combination together. There are a lot of flavor options and some specialties as well. Adding ice cream or other toppings costs extra. Cost wise, it was very worth it, especially given the portion size. The small was $5.99 and can be shared between 2 people. Overall, we had a great time and we'll be back in the future to try other items and flavors on the menu!

As a vacationer coming from Hawaii from a year ago this shaved Ice shop was quite a find Across Kumoko Ramen which is filled to the brim with people this shaved ice cream store also completes with its japanese neighborhood in being busybodies The menu choices drew me in but the ice cream and shaved was good to taste with it's syrup However unlike it's Japanese counterpart it has no tables inside only benches You might even be unlucky to find your cold desert melting inside your car should the tables outside be filled Be prepared to clean your car if you choose to order from this location and no tables are open

This is the closest I've come to finding a shaved ice place as good as the ones in Hawaii! Their ice is so soft and melts amazingly in my mouth. They have so many different syrup flavors and they even have presets on the menu in case you're not sure what to get together. They also have many toppings options. My go to order is the cotton candy and bubble gum flavors with fresh mochi on top. It's never disappointed me! I highly recommend this place! The area is also full of other great restaurants as well, making this spot the perfect dessert choice. I do wish they were open longer though!

Pau Hana is the only place that serves Hawaiian Shave Ice in the area, and I'm so glad they're here! Located in Japantown in San Jose, Pau Hana offers incredibly soft and fluffy shave ice due to its fine texture. SO much better than that hard, crunchy-type of shaved ice that other places have. They have a wide variety of flavors, toppings, and ice cream, so you can really customize it to your liking. They also offer specialties like halo halo, Dole whip, and even a mangonada! No seating inside, but they do have a couple of tables outside. The shave ice comes in a nice handheld container, so you can always walk around while enjoying your refreshing dessert!

I've had all kinds of shaved ice in Hawaii and this honestly was better than that. No joke, this is better shaved iced than in Hawaii. It was really busy today and for good reason. This place is very refreshing in terms of quality of their product and care of service. I'm still shocked as to how good this was. Honestly, I might go again tomorrow. If you liked shaved ice, this is hard to beat.

Located in San Jose Japantown, parking is limited and is only accessible by paying meter. It costs $2 an hour. The interior is small. There's no tables but there is a couch. Mac nut coffee (4/5): wow the serving size was enormous. The shaved ice was fluffy and there was a good amount of syrup which was so yummy. I totally forgot there was ice cream until I started eating it which was a cool surprise (pun intended). Tap to pay is accepted. Overall, Pau Hana Shaved Ice is a good place for some delicious shaved ice. The portions are big but a bit pricey.

Wow!! So yummy !! I got the Pineapple Dole Whip and it's not your typical shave ice. This is HAWAIIAN shaved ice so it's creamy and not crunchy like other shaved ice/snow cones. I recommend! (Also they're massive!!!)

Love their shaved ice! Very fine snow cone just like the ones in Hawaii! Definitely a gem in San Jose and perfect date/ dessert spot!

My bf and I absolutely LOVE this place. I've been holding out on this review because we keep coming back to try new flavors haha. First off, the shaved ice itself is so incredibly soft and fluffy. I abhor shaved ice that is crushed and course, so this is perfection. Additionally, they have complementary li hing mui powder and tajin which you can choose to top off your shaved ice. My bf and I are obsessed with the li hing mui powder. It's a nice sweet and salty addition to the shaved ice. Our top flavor is hands down lychee! Passionfruit and melona are honorable mentions for me. We've also tried dragonfruit and li hing mui which I wouldn't mind getting again, but they aren't my top choices. Mango and POG were meh, and green apple was a definite no for us. I will say that I've noticed that maybe they've been gradually skimping on the syrup over the times that we've gone but go ahead and let them know so they can add more to it. We will still be coming back as usual to try out a couple of more flavors and would love to try their specialty shaved ice someday.

The texture of the ice is pretty much on par to the shave ice in Hawaii. It's smooth and hella fine. They offer a wide array of flavaflavs such as strawberry, pineapple, lychee and root beer. And unique flavaflavs like dragonfruit, calamansi and melona! You can add ice cream and top it off with fresh mochi, boba and more! For the specialities, they have halo-halo, mangonada, dole whip, and horchata. Prices are reasonable $6 for a small and $7 for a regular. Specialities are $10. My coworkers and I came here after a convention on a Friday night and it wasn't busy at all. I ordered a small POG with fresh mochi. My coworkers ordered a horchata and a dole whip from the specials. The employees were quick in whipping up the goods. The small is enough for 2 people to share and the regular is enough for 3 to 4 people to share. The POG shave ice was 10/10 yumworthy. Passion fruit, orange and guava all shined through and once it was melted it turned into a nice drink. The fresh mochi on the other hand, wasn't that great. The texture wasn't consistent and it didn't taste fresh. I didn't want to finish them because I didn't like the texture. Anyways, I sampled the dole whip and the horchata and they were both good and flavorful. The shop is small and there's limited seating inside, however, they do have benches outside. The employees were nice and they even let my coworker use their restroom. Overall, good shave ice and good customer service. Street parking only and limited seating. I would definitely come back here if I'm in the area. Check out Pau Hana if you want some smoove shave ice!

This is the perfect place to come for a cold treat in this heat! I got a shaved ice with mango- and strawberry-flavored syrups, condensed cream, and fresh mochi. The ice is shaved very thin to create a smooth texture and the syrups are flavorful. I loved the fresh mochi - the chewiness was a nice contrast to the shaved ice. The condensed cream ended up adding a little too much sweetness for me, however everything else was great. They have a great selection of syrup flavors/toppings/ice cream and some specialty items too. The line was long, about 30 min around midday, so be prepared to wait. It's well worth it!

5/5 for the food, service, and location. A cute mom & pop, family-owned business that my fiance and I visited after dinner. The owner's dad was helping us and since we were the last customers, we ended up talking for about 10 minutes. Such a great business, good people! Super friendly and nice. Food: We ordered the halo halo shaved ice and a side of fresh mochi. The halo halo was DELICIOUS. It was a generous portion and great for 2 people. All of the flavors were perfect. The fresh mochi was lovely too. I loved the fluffiness and lightness of their mochi and will definitely order a side of fresh mochi if i'm ever back. There's street parking all around the shop, so if you come during off-peak hours, it's easy to find parking. Will definitely be back here since I want to try their dole whip and horchata!

Stopped by here two days ago and forgot to take pictures, but here's the scoop: Service:3.5/5-one person, in the back with the TV playing loudly, had to wait awhile to get his attention. Now once he noticed us and took our order, he made amazing shaved ice with lots of attention to detail, like adding plenty of syrup which other places might not do. Ambience:2/5-really you're meant to take your order to go. There's a couch inside and 2 sticky benches outside but you're better off eating as you walk. Also it smells like disinfectant, but at least you know it's clean. Shaved Ice:5/5-super finely shaved, generous amount, fully saturated with sugary flavor. We had half tiger's blood and half watermelon. It was delightful!

So good! The ice was surprisingly soft and not too crunchy like other Hawaiian shaved ice. I especially loved the flavors we chose! They didn't tasted overly sweet or artificial. No syrupy aftertaste. I definitely recommend the Tiger's Blood and P.O.G. flavors. Very refreshing!! GET THE MOCHI! This is apparently made fresh in-house and I enjoyed the texture. It added a contrasting chewiness to the shave iced. I wish they gave us more for $1 though. I think a downside for me was the mango ice cream. It wasn't particularly good and distracted from the shaved ice. Skip this. Maybe the coconut ice cream or the dole whip is better?

DELICIOUS! I am actually not a fan of shaved ice and avoid it at all costs, but my friend told me that I had to try Pau Hana. We got a regular-sized shaved ice with mango and coconut flavors and mochi on top. It was the perfect size to share amongst 2-3 people. I have to say I liked the coconut more than the mango because the consistency of the ice felt like I was eating fluffy snow. I have never tasted shaved ice as phenomenal as this. It was so soft and just melted in my mouth. The mango one tasted a little more like normal shaved ice I've had before but with a more soft and fresh flavor. But putting the actual ice aside, the MOCHI was literally the best mochi I have had in my life. It was so soft and chewy and not too sweet. The size was perfect and it tasted amazing with the shaved ice. Unfortunately, just the topping on the shaved ice wasn't enough for me, so I ordered 2 side orders of just mochi as we were leaving! I can see myself coming back to try new flavors, but I will stick to the coconut and mochi every single time.

Japantown is where it's at serving Hawaiian shaved ice dessert so delicious and I was lucky enough to avoid the long wait even on a Sunday afternoon yet the staff are ready to assist and they are quick on their feet. I chose the pineapple dole with whipped cream seems to be the most popular one on the menu and the prices remain the same from it was two years ago. I loved the rich sweetness so flavorable and to top it off with the whipped cream be nice if they added a cherry on top. As I said before come early or else you'll be waiting in line there's no indoor dining, but they do have outdoor benches. Definitely my go-to place highly recommend to my friends and co-workers.

Favorite shaved ice spot in town! Great small business and super high energy, welcoming, fun staff. Always got good reggae music playing, lots of flavor options. I always like to try a new flavor each time I go but my personal favorite is the mango with condensed milk. I think the quality is just really good, sweet, and great to share. I love walking around window shopping with my shaved ice after too.

During my second visit, I ordered two of the same exact shaved ice that I had enjoyed during my previous visit, which was the blue raspberry calamansi condensed cream Bubba pearls. We noticed that the pearls were not on top as they were last time during our previous visit, and when we requested that the pearls be placed on top, the employee reluctantly agreed but indicated that it would be difficult.. what?????! Upon receiving my order, I noticed that the pearls were not on top again, I brought this to his attention, but he insisted on discarding the entire order and starting over, despite my suggestion on adding it on top without throwing it away. Another staff member intervened and said just add it on top instead of throwing it out. Okay.... However, within minutes, both of our shaved ice melted. It was getting all over us. We got frustrated and threw it away.   Given that my previous experience at your establishment was positive, I can only assume that the owner was not present and that the staff were not adhering to the usual standards of professionalism. The individual assisting me displayed a lack of customer service skills, and as a result, this will be my last visit.

So, there I was, a seasoned veteran of the Hawaiian shaved ice scene, having spent three years in the land of Aloha. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can beat the experience of devouring shaved ice under the Hawaiian breeze in Haliewa. It's like trying to beat a dolphin in a swimming race - not happening! But Japan town, it's got a vibe, a certain je ne sais quoi. Now, my daughter, she's got a thing for shaved ice that's bordering on obsession. She loved it so much that our poor little Jelly Belly hand-held shaver had to wave the white flag and retire. So, I upgraded to an electric one from Cuisinart. She's downing about 4-5 of these icy delights per day, which is great for a kid who drinks less water than a cactus. Taking her to Pau Hana is like taking a kid to a candy store - a huge treat! We split a big one, and it's a party every time. She's not a fan of the Hawaiian flavors - she's more of a rainbow kind of gal. Even when this place had a monkey-like look, we were there, loyal as ever, for the shaved ice. Now, don't get me wrong, their hours are as unpredictable as a cat on a hot tin roof, which seems to be everyone's pet peeve. But hey, I live close, so if they're closed, I just head to Cukui or the Japanese grocery store. They tend to extend their hours in the summer, especially when the streets are bustling. It's a family-owned business thing, you know? So, if you're upset about driving all the way only to find them closed, give them a ring beforehand. I love this place, the vibe of Japan town, everything about it. It's a five-star experience all the way!

It's so hard finding shave ice in the bay. It was a nice treat on hot day but could've been better. The texture of the ice is pretty spot on with being light and shaved down very small. The mochi was good too. Buuuut, the syrups are lacking to me. I got the passion fruit and mango. The fruit flavor is too light and taste more like a sweet syrup vs a fruit flavor. Maybe the other flavors are better though.

We went to the Nikkei Matsuri and stopped by Pau Hana Shave Ice. The line wasn't too bad because we went before lunch time. I think they were open early for the Japanese festival. I ordered a small with melona and lychee. Soft and fluffy loved the texture and the strip was perfect. Sadly my daughter dropped a portion of it so we couldn't have much of the lychee. I never understood why Hawaiian style shave ice is in a flat cone shaped container. Isn't a bowl just fine? Any way serve was great family owned and delicious shave ice.

I am a pretty picky shave ice person. I do have fam in Hawaii...so maybe that's why? The ice has to be extra fine and full of flavor. Pau Hana does not disappoint! I ordered the lychee mango shave ice with ice cream and condensed milk. Always get the condensed milk! It makes the shave ice extra flavorful. The shop has a bunch of Hawaiian decor all around and there is some outdoor seating. This place ALWAYS has customers whenever I walk by. They have the nicest workers there too. I highly recommend Pau Hana Shave Ice!

Came here in the afternoon. This place no has indoor seating, but they do have some picnic tables outside. There was no line at all and the employee was able to take our order immediately. Ordered a small shaved ice w/ P.O.G & Mango with Mochi Topping. The mochi topping costs extra but it was worth it. The shave ice and the syrup is honestly not that special but I do like the presentation of it.

Shave ice on a hot day really hits the spot! Got the Dole Whip which has vanilla ice cream and pineapple chunks. It was super refreshing and actually the regular $10 size is a much larger quantity than I was expecting! Not really any seating inside, so you have to find a picnic table or bench on the sidewalk somewhere. It gets crowded so seating is rather limited. There was a line but they move pretty quickly and also get orders out quick! Would definitely come back and try some other specialties or make my own with some more unique ice cream flavors (like pandan).

So so yummy! Obviously not the same experience as being in Hawaii, but this will totally settle being in SJ. The service of the gentlemen who helped served us was nice and very fast.

My friend and I arrived here 4:30 pm on a Sunday in downtown San Jose Japantown! Great way to beat the sweltering upper 90 degree weather. PARKING: On Sundays, parking is free, so nothing to worry. There's lots of street parking available and in front of restaurants as well. AMBIENCE: The place is a small venue that lets people wait to order, pick up their order, and get extras like spoons and napkins. Cute venue with lots of personality that fits the Hawaiian vibe. The shaved ice staff were super energetic since it was a hot day and lots of people were flocking to their store. There was a huge line by the time my friend and I left with our order. They have outdoor benches to sit but no shade, so it's better to find a shady spot down the street. SERVICE: Took about 10 - 15 minutes to get our order, so nothing to complain since they were super busy! ORDERS: We decided to split a small shaved ice which was only $5.99! You can choose up to two flavors! I chose mango for mine, and she chose tiger's blood, which was a mixture of strawberry, watermelon, and coconut. It was super refreshing, light, sweet as heaven, and what was needed on a hot day. We finished the shaved ice in about 10 minutes! RATING: love this place! Definitely coming back on another hot summer day!

Dare I say this is the best shaved ice around the area? Possibly even better than the famed ones in Hawaii?! You better believe it! We went simple, small Lychee and Mango with fresh mochi. Flavor was pretty much standard, but what stood out was the TEXTURE of the shaved ice. It was extremely soft to the touch of both your spoon and tongue!! Most shaved ice places have a feint spiky texture when eating, but not this one! It was like a cross between ice and snow texture. Only one bench inside, but there were a couple tables outside the shop to enjoy the dessert. Service was very attentive and friendly, and though it did take a while to get our order, you can tell it was made with love. Come check it out before the winter season hits!!

My friend introduced us to this Hawaiian shaved ice that closely resembles Hawaii's famous shaved ice stores and we came out feeling satisfied during a super hot day! We ordered their popular halo halo, which def hit the spot since halo halo is a special flavor. The ube ice cream always adds as a cherry on top and this one went well with the shaved ice. We also decided to try the dole whip, and it tasted a bit too artificial for me, but of course that's how shaved ice is made. It was def worth a try since I'm a big dole whip fan! We also got the passion fruit/coconut flavor which was my second favorite after the halo halo since you can never go wrong with a sweet and sour taste. This place is truly a hidden gem, and I finally know where to go whenever I'm missing the shaved ice vibes from Hawaii.

Since we had just gotten Aloha Fresh and were in the area we had to drop by to try the shave ice place! There was practically no line despite it being quite hot outside. We chose the smalls because we had just eaten, but they were huge! My boyfriend and I both couldn't finish and next time we will definitely be sharing a small. I loved that the ice was soft and not hard and icy like other places can be. Additionally we liked that they had traditional flavors instead of the normal fruit flavors. The flavoring was also not too syrupy, which I find very common at some shave ice places. Will definitely be coming back to try the Horchata specialty once I have a lactaid on me.

Walking around and my friend saw shave ice. Decided to check it out. I ordered small mango and lychee. Didn't really taste the lychee flavor. My friend got mango ice cream but didn't taste like mango.