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    Wahine Kai

    4.5 (662 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Wahine Kai Photos

    Business Info

    WAHINE KAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Wahine Kai

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    Hula Girl
    Adessa R.

    We just moved to the San Diego area and wanted to find a shaved ice place that also has ice cream in it as well. This place is really cute and it was SO GOOD. I got the Hula Girl, which was peach and piña colada syrup with vanilla ice cream inside, and I'm still thinking about it two days later. It was worth the 30 minute drive to get it. The man who helped us, which I think might've been the owner, was very nice and it was really fun to watch him make the orders. Me and my family will definitely be back!

    Taro Shaved Ice w Vanilla ice cream yum!!

    This place is delicious! We bought two shaved ice, the pineapple kuda, and taro Korean shaved ice. Everything was amazing! 10/10 would go back you should definitely go!

    Wahine Kai shave snow
    Andrea R.

    I'm unfamiliar with shave snow so I definitely didn't realize how big the portion size would be. It's massive! I mean an entire family can share it!!! The Thai tea flavor was delicious and milky as usual, not a big fan of mochi myself but they did seem fresh and perfectly soft. Such a fun beach interior. I was surprised it was empty as we popped in for dessert after dinner on a Friday night. They have SO many flavors, but definitely go hungry since the portions are so large. I could see this being a fun stop after sports games!

    Mango Kakigori + strawberries
    Nancy T.

    Local mom & pop shop with many new added menus such as Korean Bingsu, Kakigori, & a few others since I've last visited. Service is quick, and my favorite part is the amount that you get for what you pay! The shaved ice is soooo fluffy. The atmosphere is simple & island vibes. Nothing extravagant. It was perfect for a hot day!

    Bird of Paradise
    Annie T.

    Wahine Kai is hands down the closest thing to authentic Hawaiian shaved ice you'll find in San Diego. From the moment you walk in, the laid-back island vibes hit--great Hawaiian music always playing and comfortable indoor seating that makes you want to slow down and enjoy every bite. They offer so many delicious flavor options, but our go-to will always be the Bird of Paradise--perfectly balanced, refreshing, and full of tropical flavor of pineapple, mango and coconut ice cream. The ice is soft and fluffy, just like in Hawaii, and every visit is consistently great. If you're craving a true taste of the islands, Wahine Kai is a must-try. Highly recommend!

    Strawberry kakigori shave ice with mochi, condense milk, and coconut pineapple ice cream
    Jimmy T.

    Summer is around the corner and if u want authentic Hawaiian shaved ice, look no further than Wahine Kai Shave Ice in Scripps Ranch. A family business, this is a favorite spot for cooling down. There are numerous eateries around like sushi, so right after a meal, come here for dessert. You might be overwhelmed a little with their menu, cause trust me, the menu is all over the shop. So take your time and decide what u want. But anything u choose, you're gonna love what u get! They have tons of flavors and u can add ice cream to it. Lots of toppings to choose from like mochi, Li Hing Mui powder, and fresh fruits. I haven't tried anything I haven't disliked. Come give it a try and bring the Island to u.

    12oz size with two flavors- honeydew/ guava, condensed milk and li hing powder
    Giena L.

    Craving shave ice, specifically hawaiian shave ice. This was a perfect summer afternoon treat. There are so many options, there is something for everyone. Definitely hit the spot.

    Coconut pineapple smoothie
    Daniel V.

    Wahine Kai Shave Ice is a tropical dream come true! I ordered the coconut/pineapple smoothie, and it was absolute paradise in a cup. The flavors were fresh, perfectly balanced, and incredibly refreshing -- like a Hawaiian vacation with every sip. The texture was smooth and creamy, not icy or watered down. Shoutout to the lovely worker who helped me with my drink selection this past Memorial Day. She was polite, helpful and professional. Great interior design which makes this spot nice for a quick sit while enjoying your beverages. Mahalo

    Wow!! This our to go!  Thanks Mike!
    Nana M.

    Another great visit to my favorite shave ice spot. This place is clean and really reminds me of being back in Hawaii. I really enjoy my Maui Wowwie shave ice & chatting with the super nice owner Mike when I visit. This time I ended up buying the syrups to make my own shave ice at home & to share their delicious flavors to family & friends. Until next time Mike!

    Big Kahuna with lilikoi and tigers blood syrup, condensed milk on top and pineapple coconut ice cream on the bottom
    Brittany A.

    Been coming here for YEARS and they have always been consistent. The portions are a good shareable size. A perfect place to come on a nice sunny day. They have so many different flavors and assortment to choose from and the staff is always friendly.

    Cristina A.

    Just what I needed on a warm day - something cold, refreshing and so tasty! It hit the spot. I was at a party and the truck pulled up and right away I ordered the strawberry and cream It was shaved ice with strawberry flavor, fresh strawberry's on top and a nice surprise of ice-cream in the center. It only took a few minutes to make and I was able to watch each step. Anyways point of my story everything they gave us do good and if you see this place or truck...give it a try!

    Shave Ice with POG

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    9 months ago

    Delicious giant shaved ice. A lot of great choices of flavors. Like a taste of Hawaii!

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    10 months ago

    Choices are available and the ice cream/shaved ice tasty. The seating is not that great when busy. Needs a/c to be active.

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    Page 1 of 17

    Ask the Community - Wahine Kai

    Is this business kanaka owned?

    Yes

    Is Wahine Kai offer shave ice training school now?

    Yes

    Is the taro milk tea with boba supposed to have white waxy bits in it?

    The owner makes the taro milk tea with powdered taro and real taro. The white bits are the taro chunks. It gives the milk tea a thicker consistency because of the starch from the taro. Most places in SD make their taro milk tea out of powder.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    DaYung’s Tea - Scripps Ranch

    4.0
    (237 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    I was working the strip mall premises for my job. I got a…read morereally yummy lemon Jasmine iced tea, super refreshing and fragrant! I'm not a huge fresh-tea lover, but I needed something light. And it really hit the spot! Also! The young lady working on the day I went opening shift, to mid afternoon-ish. Super sweet!! She saw how hot it was and gave me lemon water! Simple nice gestures like that on a 90° day when I was working outside honestly makes my day! Whenever I'm back in SD, I'll know where to get my tea!

    I am going to anoint myself the Boba Empress as I have been drinking boba probably since I was in…read moremy mom's womb back close to 50 years ago. I guess given my age, I might be the Boba Madam lol. Ive had boba long before it became trendy in the US and the only place you could get a boba milk tea was in Taiwan. How I remember those holiday trips and never wanted to come back. Fast forward twenty more years and boba really started taking off once I was a grown adult and seeing them all around NYC. Its of much pride and joy that my ancestry is the place of boba. Ive had DaYungs in Phoenix and do like that they have fresh taro puree there and today when I came in here agter hot yoga, I tried a milk tea with taro puree and added boba, less ice and 30% sugar. I ordered at a contactless machine and before I could even finish checking in on Yelp, my drink was ready. This place is clean and not too much traffic when I came in. Its in a convenient location with a lot of restaurant choices in the area and ample parking. Drink was good, but still too sweet for me. Everything was good consistency and next time I'll just have to dial down the sugar even more. Id definitely return again, solid choice for a boba milk tea break!

    Photos
    Milk tea with taro puree and boba - less ice and 30% sugar - still too sweet for me
    Milk tea with taro puree and boba - less ice and 30% sugar - still too sweet for me
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    Outside
    BoBaPoP Tea Bar

    BoBaPoP Tea Bar

    4.4
    (190 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Ok this place is legit delicious…read more The entrance is easy to locate in the plaza and you can order from the computer or a real human person, I know right. A real human, what? It's a cozy spot. The people who work there just seem happy and work well together. They're friendly and patient with me as I navigated their menu items. I could not decide what I wanted so I accidentally ordered 3 drinks: Roasted Oolong Milk Tea Osmanthus Oolong Milk Tea 3Q Milk Tea The roasted oolong was for my sister so I don't know how it was but she wanted another one so that should tell you all you need to know. lol I love floral teas and Osmanthus oolong is my new favorite and it delivered. I opted for the agar aka crystal pearls and that was the right choice for the floral tea. I also accidentally drank the 3Q tea after and while not my favorite, I appreciated all the toppings and the tea was still good. The boba is super unique! It's got a nice, chewy kinda texture. I have never had boba like this before and I wish I had blacked out and gotten double boba.

    I grew up in this area, so it's kind of interesting seeing how this exact spot keeps changing. I…read moreremember it being a Rita's Italian Ice at one point, then a bubble waffle shop, and now it's BoBaPoP Tea Bar. Honestly, boba fits the area way better now, especially since more tea spots have been popping up around here. I stopped in for a quick drink and there was a steady flow of people coming in and out, which is always a good sign. Inside is clean and modern, very simple but put together. You can order at a kiosk or go up to the cashier, which makes it easy depending on what you prefer. The menu has a solid variety. All your usual milk teas, fruit teas, slushies, and blended drinks, plus a good amount of toppings. They were also advertising a matcha ice spinner which caught my attention, so I'll probably come back to try that and see how their matcha quality is. I went with a mango fruit tea at 75% sweetness and added boba. I sat outside while waiting, they have limited indoor seating but a couple tables outside which is nice. The drink came out in about five minutes, so pretty quick. First thing I noticed was there were actual mango pieces in the drink, not just syrup. That was a nice surprise and added a good texture. They were soft enough to go through the straw too, so it didn't feel annoying to drink. Flavor wise, I do wish I went lower on the sweetness. Even at 75% it was still a bit too sweet for me, but that's more personal preference. The part that didn't really hit was the boba. It was a little mushy and didn't have that chewy texture I usually look for. It also had this slightly artificial honey taste that kind of overpowered the drink a bit. Not terrible, just not my favorite. It's a solid and convenient spot for the area. Good variety, quick service, and a nice setup. I'd come back, but probably switch up the toppings next time.

    Photos
    Jasmine Green Milk Tea
    Jasmine Green Milk Tea
    Banana Pudding Coffee and Matcha
    Banana Pudding Coffee and Matcha
    Tea and snack! They now have these paw shape waffles, clever add to the doggy theme of Bobabop.

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    Tea and snack! They now have these paw shape waffles, clever add to the doggy theme of Bobabop.
    Heytea

    Heytea

    4.0
    (175 reviews)
    7.7 mi

    One of my favorite location here in SD. There's a ton of parking and it's easily accessible…read more Although, there is no seating inside, but plenty of seating outside. I love to do a mobile order to avoid the crazy wait times. They have a mobile pick up section at the front of the store. If you're planning on stopping by definitely preorder! The boba is always fresh. I like to get the brown sugar milk tea. It's not too sweet and made perfectly. My other go to is the Mango Coconut BOOM! This one is my favorite for wanting fresh fruit. It comes with coconut jelly and sago.

    OK SO I WOULD DETOUR EVERY TRIP NORTH WITH A STOP AT THE IRVINE LOCATION FOR THESE DRINKS. Now I…read moreget to detour every trip to Del Mar with a drink. Located in the highly coveted del mar highlands (across from one paseo). there's a plethora of shops/movies/eateries you can go to before or after you get your drink. I can at least for sure say, it's CONSISTENT with the other locations i've been to. drinks taste just as delicious. you can make things easier for yourself and preorder on the app before you get there. service was slooooow. they have a kiosk for you to order by yourself which seems like the only option to really order from. So when you get stuck behind people who don't know what they're doing, it's PAINFUL to watch. I wish their staff would be more open to taking orders at the cashier instead of just standing there. overall experience was fine, i think Irvine location was better though.

    Photos
    Mulberry strawberry drink. I already forgot but it was refreshing.
    Mulberry strawberry drink. I already forgot but it was refreshing.
    Crisp grape boom
    Crisp grape boom
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    Wahine Kai - shavedice - Updated June 2026

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