Had the pleasure of trying this place when they did a pop-up at Santa Anita Mall! The line was decently long, and we waited around 30-40 minutes. They had tents and umbrellas set up for those who waited past the covered area, which was nice since it was pretty hot out. The workers also passed out small bottles of iced water to those waiting in the heat, which was a nice touch! It was definitely a refreshing dessert for a hot day. We got the Strawberry Yuzu, Black Sesame Tiramisu, and Hong Kong Milk Tea. My favorite was the Hong Kong Milk Tea, but all of the flavors were not too sweet, which I really enjoyed. I also really liked that I was able to get a bite of the flavor and ice throughout the entire bowl instead of having to dig around for the toppings/flavor. The downside was that it melted pretty quickly, and I thought it was on the pricier side. Overall, I enjoyed it and would definitely be interested in trying more flavors! read more

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So happy that I was able to catch this pop up at the Santa Anita mall for the last weekend of August. The flavors that were there were: Strawberry Lychee, Jasmine Peach Cream, Mango Matcha Tiramisu, Blueberry Street Corn & ice cream flavors from 626 ice cream. It was so good I ended up coming back for another round with my coworkers! It's kinda pricey but nonetheless the ingredients were fresh and made to order. read more

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Came to this popup after seeing it online and it was mostly worth the wait! I love the attention to detail with the truck design, aesthetics, presentation, and hospitality. The popup menu was limited to four flavors and two sizes, with a $4 difference between sizes. I got the white peach jasmine and strawberry yuzu to share, and the regular (large) size was more than enough for a sweet treat. The white peach jasmine was soo tasty. It was a hot day, so you could really feel the refreshing taste of the jasmine even as the ice began to melt. What i appreciate about the shaved ice here is they fill the inside of the shaved ice so you get toppings in every bite on the way. The strawberry yuzu was a good amount of tart and sweet, but i think the strawberry syrup became a little much once i was getting to the bottom of the bowl (that might just be my personal preference against syrups though haha). It was thoughtful that 10*10 popup tents were set up by the waiting area for folks. That being said, I almost wonder if a reservation system would be better so people don't have to wait in line in the heat. For a realistic expectation for how long you might need to wait: I hurried to get in line ~25 minutes before the opening at 4pm, ordered around 4:15 pm, and got my order at about 4:25 pm. I imagine once the line gets longer, so does the wait- so recommend getting there early if you're looking to try the truck at the mall before it's gone! read more

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Japanese shaved ice with imported ice from Japan?! I'll bite. They came over to visit Santa Anita mall today. I liked that they offered umbrellas complimentary due to the extreme heat, it was very thoughtful. They had two default flavors of strawberry yuzu and white peach jasmine; they also had what seemed like regional flavors of Hong Kong milk tea and black sesame. I wanted to try one of their known flavors, so I went with the white peach. The ice itself was lacking flavor, they do not pour the flavoring on like with American shaved ice or ice made of certain flavors like Taiwanese shaved. The toppings were pretty good, not tart and more balanced which is good. Towards the end the flavors blended as it was over 100 degrees outside, this tasted much better as I could taste hints of jasmine and the peach flavoring with toppings. I give them a three because the flavor profile varies too much for me to enjoy, I think when it melted was when it was tastier, but at that point it's like a drink, so not quite what I came for. The price point was not attractive for me either, we paid $17 for a peach (after tax) and this was off-putting since I can find much more flavor for less. It is very novel as it's a travelling food cart, so there's that. Stay cool and have shaved ice folks. read more

Yamanaka Kakigori - White peach jasmine - Desserts Near Me

Def make a reservation if you can! We made a reservation for the Long Beach location and ordered a kids size peach jasmine flavor. It was sooooo good! We felt that the kids size was good to share between two people but it did melt fast (was very hot that day). Maybe next time I'll get 2 kids sizes so I can try two flavors. They also have free pup cups, which is shaved ice topped with some fruit. My dog loved it and licked it clean. read more

Yamanaka Kakigori - Kids size - Desserts Near Me

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I loved my first kakigori- Japanese shaved ice experience. It was so fluffy and just melts in your mouth. I let my baby tried and he loved it as well. The mochi on top was so good as well. It was parked outside of LV seafood Sunday and reservations were full from 12-2:30 but I was able to get some. They also have a mister w water spraying cold air and umbrellas for the sun. The Ube was delicious and the couple next to me taste tested the other 3 and loved the peach. Enjoy! read more

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TLDR: Ultra-light, melt-in-your-mouth kakigori with fresh, real fruit flavors; genuinely kind service. Pricey for shaved ice, but quality and experience make it worth trying. Yamanaka Kakigori is a pop-up in Pasadena. This was our first kakigori experience and it sets the bar high. The ice is incredibly soft and fluffy, literally dissolving as you eat it. The menu is simple (about four options with add-ons), which makes ordering quick, and the line is short and easy to navigate. Logan and Flora helped us and are genuinely warm and welcoming, adding to the overall experience. There's plenty of street parking nearby, and the whole setup feels low-stress and thoughtfully run. They also offer catering (minimum 150 people). The flavors lean clean and natural, using real fruit without added sugar. The white peach yuzu is a 5/5--bright, refreshing, and not overly sweet, with a yuzu jelly tucked inside that adds a nice citrus pop. The lychee jasmine tea is a 3.5/5--still good, with a strong, floral jasmine note, but it uses lychee jelly rather than fresh lychee. Prices are on the higher end for shaved ice, but the quality, balance of flavors, and friendly service make it feel justified. read more

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Had high hopes for Yamanaka Kakigori after seeing the hype, especially since I love Japanese-style kakigori, but unfortunately it was just okay for me. We tried the ube and strawberry, and both were refreshing and definitely hit the spot on a hot summer day. The flavors were good, and the presentation was cute, but the biggest miss was the ice itself. I was hoping for that incredibly light, fluffy, almost melt-in-your-mouth texture you get with traditional kakigori in Japan, and this didn't quite have it. At $14.95 a bowl, it also feels pretty premium for shaved ice with toppings, especially when the texture isn't anything particularly special. Overall, it was enjoyable and refreshing, but for the price and the hype, I expected more. Glad I tried it, but probably not something I'd go out of my way for again read more

Yamanaka Kakigori - Strawberry and Ube $14 each - Desserts Near Me

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So my bestie has been raving about this Japanese dessert so I had to try it. She booked a reservation for 3 people so I can experience it myself. We went and my first thought about the location was how cute it was. They operate out of a trailer. Very cute decor and love that it's a movable location. I ordered the mango coconut bowl. When I got it, it reminded me of shaved ice from Hawaii but more delicate flavors. Instead of ice cream filled middle it's filled with fruit and it's topped with a nice delicate whipped cream. It was delicious not too sweet just the right amount of sweetness. Very refreshing on a hot day. Service was great, if you have a reservation you just show up and get serviced right away. If you don't then walk ins started at 2:30pm that day and the wait can be very long from what my bestie told me. Definitely recommend this place. read more

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The concept, aesthetic, and menu flavors were intriguing so I finally made reservations for the last May pop up in Long Beach. Some of the menu items were only available in a regular size rather than a kids cup. Regular size serves 1-2 ppl. Prices ranged from $10 to $16 depending on menu item and size. My fam and I tried the ube condensed milk, lychee jasmine, and mango coconut. The crowd favorite was the lychee jasmine. The flavors were unique and well balanced. There were some stools and tiny tables available to enjoy our desserts. Will definitely come back to try other flavors in the future! Just a suggestion for them: maybe place a sign with reservation and walk up times so people won't unknowingly stand in line only to be turned away later. read more

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This was my 2nd time here. 1st time we just happen to see the truck and was there as a walk in without a reservation. lol bad idea, the line was super long and the wait was also long since it is made to order. They operate in a cute little food truck so parking is all over, although since the truck is at this location on weekends parking can be challenging. For my 2nd visit, I made sure to book a reservation. So much better with one, was able to walk up and order right away with no line. If you are going to try this place I recommend a reservation (via their instagram) as our first time we waited an hour or so . My fiancé and I ordered Ube condensed milk and matcha tiramisu. Loved both of them! Super fluffy shaved ice and we love that they layer the add ons instead of just putting them on top. Such a refreshing treat on a warm day and not overly sweet. Excited to try some of the new flavors for June. read more

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Came to their pop in location at Woon parking lot in Pasadena. Ordered large sizes of strawberry and melon desserts. Lotsa people managed to find last table. Ordering was quick n easy we got pagers for when our order was ready. Got brain freezes but because of the heat our desserts started to melt quickly. If you don't eat it quick enough it becomes a milky drink you eat with a spoon. If you eat the fluffy ice too soon you get a mini brain freeze! Total came to over $30 plus tip ***luv the free stickers*** read more

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The shaved ice menu is unique. I enjoy a gimmick of sweet potato brulee. It also has almonds and some sweet sauce in fresh ice. Service can be slow. There is one cashier and 2-3 people who make the shaved ice. Price is expensive What I would like to change is them setting up a shady area for people. It was burning hot outside. read more

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Mango Coconut Shaved Ice @yamanaka.kakigori Pop-up event at Cloverleaf Bakery on 5/2 They use Kuramoto ice blocks for all their shaved ice--super fluffy texture. Price range from $9.95-$16.95. For the Mango Coconut Shaved Ice, they use fresh mango, mango milk, mango jam, mochi, and coconut ice cream. Service was excellent, and they provided several table and chairs you can sit. Ambiance is normal for food truck setting. read more

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Perfect not-too-sweet treat! I was able to try three flavors on my first visit and loved all of them but my favorite was the mango flavor. The kids size is generous so I recommend coming with at least one other person and ordering the kid size you can try two different flavors without getting a brain freeze. Service is as quick and friendly and they have some small tables set up for you to sit and enjoy. read more

Yamanaka Kakigori - Matcha, Strawberry and Mango - Desserts Near Me

Soooo good and refreshing!! Ive had bingsoo and shaved ice before, but I didnt know what to expect as I had never heard of Kakigori. It was incredibly light, soft, fluffy, and flavorful! There was enough texture for a slight crunch, but also melted instantly in my mouth. Price was around $15-16, but it is definitely a sharable size. Absolutely delicious, and wishing the best for the Yamanaka family store! read more

Yamanaka Kakigori - Strawberry Yuzu - Desserts Near Me

The ice texture is good. Very different from korean bingsoo or hawaiian shaved ice. The flavors are also interesting! read more

was very excited to try yamanaka but was left very disappointed in the experience and taste ordered our shaved ice and was given a buzzer. after waiting 20 min we noticed the people after us receiving their orders. we thought that was weird so we went up and asked about our order and found out it's been ready the whole time and our buzzer hasn't been working. they didn't even try to call out our order or apologize that the buzzer wasn't working... as for the shaved ice, we ordered the ube condensed milk and was surprised that the taste was very bland. i know it's a complement to hear a dessert isn't too sweet but this one really lacked sugar and flavor. i could taste the faint milk shaved ice but the ube was barely there and there was a lack of syrup in between the shaved ice. i loved the presentation and the quality of the ingredients seem great but the execution lacked pretty disappointed in this place. maybe we came on an off day but i would not be back read more

Discovered Yamanka Family Store through social media and had the opportunity to visit one of their pop-ups at LV Seafood in Long Beach. I ordered the Kaki Krunch and added extra mochi and ice cream per the server's recommendation. The shaved ice was light, fluffy, and refreshingly sweet. I especially loved the persimmon flavor because this is NOT a typical flavor you see at shaved ice dessert spots, and it's one of my favorite winter fruits. The extra mochi was a divine addition that added a wonderful soft, chewy texture to each bite. However, I think we could have done without the ice cream - it started melting halfway through and made things a bit messy. Things that worked: - Online ordering system - While most pop-ups usually have a long wait, with the online ordering system, I was able to easily snag a spot with only a 5-minute wait for our shaved ice to be made. Super convenient! - Unique flavors - I absolutely love the seasonal flavors and feel like it's a huge draw compared to other traditional shaved ice places in the area (Costa Mesa, Irvine). This really sets them apart! Things that could be better: - Seating - There's no dedicated seating with tables. Several people were eating at benches which makes it easy to spill. We were fortunate to find a table nearby, but it would be much better to have proper tables and napkins set up outside for convenience and cleanliness. - More fruit slices - The fruit was sparingly portioned and the ice was a bit overwhelming. More fruit would help balance the dessert better. Bottom line: Great concept and love the unique persimmon flavor. The online ordering system is a game-changer for pop-ups. Would definitely return, but hoping they improve the seating and fruit portions! read more

Yamanaka Kakigori - Kaki Krunch with Capybaras! - Desserts Near Me

Finally got to try them in Pasadena and they live up to the hype! I got the Summer Melon and it was delicious and so refreshing, especially in the summer heat. We got there early and there was already a line, but they moved pretty quickly! They even offered for you to borrow some UV umbrellas to protect you from the sun while in line. Definitely would visit again and will try more flavors! read more

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Popup with mt forest in Pasadena, quickly reserved spot! No table, just chairs but pretty easy and quick to eat. Such a cute capybara logo + POG kakigori ($15): gorgeous, light fluffy ice layered with coconut cream and guava drizzle, and topped with 4 mochi pieces, and a guava slice. Coconut-y base with sago! Didn't taste any passionfruit or orange but delicious nonetheless (8.2/10) Loved the layering stamp mt forest created for this collab. read more

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The owners are the best! Had their shaved iced at both an engagement party & wedding! The flavors were all delicious & had such a good blend of textures. I lovedddd the strawberry, 10/10 recommend! read more

Yamanaka Kakigori - Strawberry & matcha - Desserts Near Me

Second time and didn't disappoint. We used the reservation option and only waited a few minutes to order. There are chairs and small tables. The shaved ice is so light and delicious. And they really are works of art. read more

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My husband and I visit Yamanaka whenever we get the chance! We even catered Yamanaka for our daughter's birthday party! We love how light and fluffy the shaved ice is and enjoy trying all the different flavors. (Our favorites are Vanilla Miso Caramel and Mango Coconut.) If you're feeling a bit of a sweeter bite, you can add ice cream or additional mochi topping. They currently pop-up at LV Seafood and have a reservation system, where you can reserve a time slot through Instagram. While it could be hard to snag a slot, this allows for a better customer experience (less wait and more attention to your kakigori)! The owners are so sweet and put so much love into crafting their kakigori. They, as well as all their team members, are always so kind and we always have a great experience. read more

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Okay all, let's go through this. I have lived quite a bit of my life between here in SoCal and Hawaii. I feel like I am a great judge of shaved ice as a result since I pretty much get some every day when visiting the island. (yes, of course I have had Matsumoto, Waiola, Ululani, Vintage, and many others), Yamanaka is different. I rarely give five stars but this is one spot I would actually have considered six. Service is friendly and professional, absolutely fine. The trailer they just got is brand new and spic and span clean. It is like fresh and inside the people are just hummin away with creating the shaved ice. When asked about it today from my sad wife who did not go, I compared eating, excuse me, experiencing Yamanaka like driving a sports verses a luxury car. They both get you there but you just feel different and it's hard to explain. Today I had Strawberry Yuzu, which I will admit I asked Gemini if that was a good combination on my way to the popup this morning. It absolutely was, that AI is so smart. I also had Mango Coconut and it was equally amazing. Both of them were like built similar, base shaved ice, some stuff in the middle then more shaved ice with some creamy syrup, a gel or jam on it then a foam/whipped flavor infused ring surrounding a piece of fruit. I did not expect it to be that good but damn it was and had me awe-struck at the experience all day. Will absolutely be back and highly suggest to do yourself a favor and give it a try. read more

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We tried YK at a pop-up in Temple City and it was so good. They had a pop up tent with a few tables and seats. Much appreciated! The kakigoris are huge so tables are especially helpful! The ice is so soft and perfect with the toppings. Don't forget to add a scoop of ice cream! I loved this dessert. It was light, not too sweet, huge but not overwhelmingly filling since it's mostly ice, and you can taste the quality of ingredients. We had the mango and sweet potato brûlée. Delicious. Looking forward to trying more flavors soon! Most importantly the YK team is so nice. You can feel the love they give to their customers and it shows in their product. read more

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ORDER: - Strawberry Yuzu KAKIGŌRI + Ice imported from Japan! Their ice is super soft which makes this shaved ice pleasant to eat. The ice is soft and melts in your mouth. They pair it well with their ice cream, mochi, and syrups. The flavor I got was super refreshing and had a nice balance of sweet and tart. This is only a pop up in Long Beach. It is worth a try! read more

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Long overdue review for Yamanaka. If I could I would rate it 6 stars! I hired them for a birthday party. I was put in contact with the owner of the business who was extremely friendly and accommodating. He asked about some of my favorite fruits and preferred flavor palate, we were able to land on a diverse shave ice menu for the party. I've since returned to a few of their pop ups in LB and SGV. It feels like they have refined their recipes and it has gotten even better compared to the private event. I highly recommend trying some of the innovative (seasonal) flavors, sweet potato brûlée and persimmon crunch. read more

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This is for the reservation system only: ever since they started using this reservation method, I've never been able to get a reservation time because the times are all gone before a 1/2 hour has gone by. They only have so many reservations per hour (6 last I checked) so if you're the slightest bit late, you're out of luck for that week. One time, I even checked their IG beforehand and went to the link 2 minutes after the time they posted and still, I wasn't able to get a reservation. I'm really hating this reservation system. If you aren't at whatever location they happen to be at or dining at that restaurant, you're are out of luck. I've only been able to try this once and have wanted to try again, but this reservation system they're using I don't like at all. If you don't follow their IG, you've got no chance. I'd rather they go back to first come first serve read more

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We snagged an reservation on instagram - came in on a Sunday afternoon. Parking was easy (pop-up was @ LV in Long Beach). There was seating out front. Service was good. The matcha was delicious! The ice was soft and flavor was good. However, most of the flavor was in the upper half of the Kakigori by the time we got to the lower half the shaved ice began to taste bland. Prices are on the higher side. read more

Yamanaka Kakigori - Strawberry Matcha Kakigori - Desserts Near Me

We catered Yamanaka Family Store as our specialty dessert for our wedding and it was a total hit! Some context: we met Logan (the owner) at one of his pop-ups, had one bite of his kakigori, and knew we had to have him at our wedding. Logan puts a lot of time, energy, and care into his small business. He imports his ice from Japan and takes a lot of time to R&D each flavor he puts out. Logan also was friendly and responsive, and answered any and all questions we had. The ice is fluffy, the flavors are natural and tasty (not artificial at all), and the mochi is qq! Their private event set-up was cute and the team was so kind. Everyone at our wedding LOVED the Japanese shaved ice and we had multiple people telling us that their biggest regret was not having one. We even had one person have 7 servings of kalkigori at our wedding because it was SO good. You will not regret having Yamanaka Family Store at your event! read more

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We attended their event in Long Beach and it was so good. It was very refreshing and not too sweet. We had the dairy free mango coconut shave ice and I would order this again in a heartbeat. They are definitely a treat I would drive a distance for. read more

The shaved ice was excellent. We had the strawberry yuzu and mango coconut flavors. The ice was delicate and the flavors were delicious. It wasn't too sweet. Lastly, there is no wait anymore because they do an online ordering system. read more

Yamanaka Kakigori - Strawberry Yuzu - Desserts Near Me

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Tried the water (limited time) flavors specifically the peach and melon and was disappointed. Over hyped and over priced. I would need to try out the best selling strawberry and the ube to see if those flavors are worth the hype but I don't expect to go back just off the first taste. They try their best to give you a good experience while you wait in line which I did appreciate but it's just not worth the effort and money to track and get in line for it again. read more

Yamanaka kakigori not only tastes amazing, but the service is top tier too! Service was great and I can't believe they make everything in house! This was soooo good I can't wait until my next visit back. read more

Yamanaka Kakigori - Desserts Near Me

We always attend the pop ups at the Long Beach location whenever we can. Service is always great, and you can tell how much love and care is put into this business. When we first started going they were working inside of LV seafood and it's so cool to see them grow with the addition of their trailer. My favorite flavor is the strawberry yuzu but you can't go wrong with any of their flavor choices, none of them disappoint. We love yamanaka and are excited to watch their business continue to thrive! read more

Yamanaka Kakigori - Strawberry yuzu and matcha tiramisu - Desserts Near Me

Food: 10/10 sweet potato brulee was mind blowing! Service: 10/10 very efficient Ambiance: pop-up at LV Seafood read more

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We discovered Yamanaka Family Store through social media and knew immediately that we needed to book them for our Vietnamese-Japanese wedding. Meeting Logan was such a joy. We were touched to learn that he started this business as a tribute to his Japanese mom, and that he even traveled to Japan to study the art of kakigori firsthand. Logan and his wife were incredibly kind and professional. They even gave us an impromptu tasting session right in the middle of one of their pop-ups, which was such a delightful surprise! On our wedding day, their team of five arrived ready to go - efficient, friendly, and completely dedicated to their craft. The presentation was beautiful, and every serving came out quickly and perfectly made. The flavors (strawberry lychee and matcha red bean) were absolute standouts. You honestly can't go wrong with either one. Our guests couldn't stop raving about how refreshing and delicious everything was. We're so grateful that Yamanaka Family Store was part of our celebration and can't wait to see how their small business continues to flourish. Their heart, authenticity, and craftsmanship shine through in everything they do. read more

I have only been once, and it is very delicious. I had kakigori in Japan and this is right up there with what I tasted. I had the strawberry, because strawberry seemed the safest pick. The price is a consideration; it isn't like getting shave ice (ice shave if you're from Big Island). It is fluffier than Hawaiian shave ice. read more

I really like supporting small local businesses, and this pop-up is run by a young couple whose parents own LV Seafood. I first discovered it while eating at the restaurant, back when they only had one slushy ice machine. The first time I tried it, the wait wasn't too long and the dessert was good. That said, it's definitely on the pricey side my order came out to about $17 before tips,ice cream and mochi. On my second visit, since I wasn't dining at the restaurant, I booked through Instagram. I waited about 10 minutes just to place my order and another 45 minutes to get it. The restaurant was already packed, and there were even more people outside waiting for slushy ice. To me, the dessert felt more like an Instagram worthy treat than something worth the price and long wait. Honestly, it costs more than a full entrée at their parents' restaurant. While I won't be going back for the slushy ice, I'll definitely keep going back for the food at LV Seafood but I will avoiding to go on the pop up day read more