Japanese kakigori: Your ally against the heat

Summer is here, and so is the heat—something the Japanese have understood since the 1st century, when they created kakigori, a large block of shaved ice served in bowls with syrup or fruit.

Originally, kakigori was a traditional dessert created to combat the intense heat. In the past, because ice storage and preservation methods were limited, kakigori was primarily reserved for the Japanese nobility, but it gradually became more widespread over time, influencing other countries such as Taiwan with its baobing and South Korea with its bingsu. Except that here, there’s no ice cream like its Korean counterpart or dazzling toppings—in fact, kakigori is made from real block ice that is shaved with blades, creating thin flakes drizzled with matcha tea or fruit syrup—offering a truly refreshing treat.

Introduced to Paris in 2018, this shaved ice continues to be a huge hit and has been delighting the palates of those who enjoy it every summer since its arrival. Here are the places where you, too, can treat yourself to this refreshing treat in Paris

Our selection of kakigoris in Paris

Toraya

Toraya is one of the oldest Japanese tea houses in Paris. It opened its doors in the 1980s with the aim of promoting wagashi, traditional Japanese artisanal sweets. It’s here that you’ll discover traditional kakigoris made with natural ingredients and flavors, such as red azuki bean syrup with chunks of beans or traditional green tea. An authentic escape blending refined flavors and tradition.

• Where? 10 rue Saint-Florentin, 75001 Paris
• Toraya.com

© DR

Ogata Paris

Step into the welcoming world of this Japanese café-restaurant, housed in a former private mansion and spread across three floors. Here, you can cool off by enjoying traditional green tea kakigoris and other varieties on the spot, while taking in the exhibition of contemporary art, the bar, or the tea room.

• Where? 16 Rue Debelleyme, 75003 Paris
• ogata.com

© Ilya Kagan

Jade Genin

We’ve been waiting for them, and they’re finally here! Every summer for years now, Chef Jade Genin has made a name for herself with her “snow granitas,” inspired by traditional Japanese kakigori and featuring flavors of iconic desserts like the pavlova kakigori or the shiso meringue kakigori. This year, the chef surprises us with her collection of savory snow granitas. On the menu: tomato-stracciatella and lemon-arugula—an unexpected combination, perfect for those who prefer a cool, savory treat.

• Where? 33 Avenue de l’Opéra, 75002 Paris
• jadegenin.com

@DR

From the most traditional to the most creative, kakigori has carved out a place for itself in Paris’s summer refreshment scene . Between historic spots and bold reinterpretations, this shaved ice proves that it can honor its origins just as much as it can reinvent itself.