Photo: Maria Burke

Just as I’m bemoaning the dearth of local craft ice cream parlors in Kailua, I drive past a door on Ku‘ulei Road newly painted with a trio of ice creams. Could it be? It is! Despite its unlikely name, Please Come Again opened in early November as if in answer to my craving.

Photo: Maria Burke

In the former Double Three location, the new shop by Jo and Kyle Wailyn, a couple from the Bay Area, feels like a hip boutique that happens to sell ice cream. The 16 flavors are just as cool, with many ingredients sourced locally. Different-size scoops are available in a cup, sugar cone, handmade waffle cone, four-flavor flight and an affogato topped with freshly pulled Tradition Coffee Roasters espresso.

SEE ALSO: Ultimate Guide to 11 Luscious Local Ice Cream Shops

My favorites so far:

• Ube Crush—a yammy blend for true ube lovers, with zero purple extract. Real ube flavor and crunchy bits of polverone form a combo that keeps me going back for more.
• Shiso Mint Chip—expertly blended flavors of mint and aromatic shiso with bold shards of Mānoa Chocolate.
• Only in the Darkness Can You See the Stars—a unique twist on cookies and cream that starts with a super fragrant base of Lā‘ie Vanilla ice cream (I’m not a vanilla girl, but the finesse of this one has me swooning). Activated charcoal and Oreo cookies are blended in, resulting in a jet-black mixture with a subtle flavor and an extra toothsome mouthfeel.

Only in Darkness Can You See the Stars, keiki scoop in a sugar cone. Photo: Maria Burke

Most of the other flavors showcase local ingredients. Like the Tropical Rainbow Sherbet made entirely of local fruits, Cinnamon Malasada featuring Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop goods, Guava Lava swirled with Aloha Bites guava jam, and Kona Snow, a mind-bending concoction of cream infused with Tradition Coffee Roasters 100% whole Kona beans.

Although Please Come Again hasn’t been crafting ice cream for very long, the flavors and textures show staying power. Stay tuned for grab-and-go pints and cakes. And a little birdie told me to look out for a poha berry and basil combo coming soon. See you there.

Tips:

• Want to taste as many flavors as possible? Bring a friend and get a flight (or two).
• The fresh waffle cones can be ordered on the side, so you can have your cone and eat it too.
• Bring a cooler and ice if you’re getting ice cream to go—the stuff melts quickly.
• Parking is available on Ku‘ulei Road and behind the shop in Kailua Square.
• Keep an eye on their IG for seasonal flavor change ups.

What: Craft ice cream
Where: 322 Ku‘ulei Road (across from Kailua Elementary School)
When: Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday noon to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 8 p.m.
Cost: From $4.50 for a keiki scoop in a sugar cone to $16 for a four-flavor flight
Payment: Card or phone payment, no cash
Contact: pleasecomeagainhawaii.com
Follow: @pleasecomeagainhawaii

SEE MORE SWEET TREATS:

Sweet Treats: Don’t Sleep on the Hojicha Frappé at Matcha Café Maiko
Sweet Treats: Where to Find Hawai‘i’s Only Snowthies

Editor’s Note: Since we’ve received a few messages about “spoopy” being a typo in the headline, let’s clarify: “spoopy” is a slang term based on “spooky” to describe cute, silly or funny Halloween content, like the adorably on-theme treats listed below.

Photo: Courtesy of Artizen by MW

Artizen by MW

Trick-or-Treat Dessert Box ($30)

Artizen’s deluxe dessert combo includes:

• Mummy Crisp (Peanut Butter Rice Crisp, Caramelized Chocolate, Valrhona Dulcey Chocolate Crunch)
• Cookies and Cream Cream Puff (Chocolate Cream Puff, Cookies and Cream Pastry Cream
• Pumpkin Crunch (House-made Graham Crackers, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Butterscotch Pudding, Shortbread Streusel)
• Valrhona Chocolate Lovers’ Cake (Buttermilk Chocolate Cake, Milk Chocolate Crunch, Chocolate Dobash, Chocolate Mousse)

The deadline to pre-order is Monday, Oct. 28. On the Order page, select Oct. 30 or Oct. 31 as the date to access the dessert box pre-order.

PRE-ORDER

Pre-order required, 888 Kapiolani Blvd. Suite 102 (inside Velocity Honolulu), artizenbymw.com, @artizenbymw

SEE ALSO: All the Spooky, Scary, Tricksy Halloween Fun on O‘ahu

Photo: Courtesy of Basalt

Basalt

Halloween Pancakes ($19)

Spookify a stack of charcoal pancakes with ube liliko‘i sabayon, meringue ghosts and pumpkins, ash mascarpone whip, candy corn and Halloween sprinkles. This offering is only available on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 7 a.m. to noon, so make a reservation online or by calling (808) 923-5689.

MAKE A RESERVATION

2255 Kūhiō Ave., basaltwaikiki.com, @basaltwaikiki

SEE ALSO: “Plan on Hallowbaloo Not Happening”—But Another Chinatown Bar Crawl Is Coming

Photo: Courtesy of Brug Bakery

Brug Bakery

Spider-Pan ($3.95)

This chocolate melon pan becomes creepy-crawly with spider limbs, a pumpkin spice cookie dough topping and web-like frosting.

Multiple locations, brugbakery.com, @brugbakery

SEE ALSO: Just in Time for Halloween, Hana Koa’s “Fangs for Donating” Hazy IPA Is a Plea for the Blood Bank

Photo: Courtesy of Choco Le‘a

Choco Le‘a

Black Cat Sesame Bar ($14.99)

Sesame and cat lovers unite to grab this adorable dark chocolate bar with the crackle of Rice Krispies cereal and sesame seeds.

2909 Lowrey Ave., chocolea.com, @chocoleahawaii

SEE ALSO: Pumpkin Patches and Fall Festivals on O‘ahu

Photo: Courtesy of Cooke Street Market

Cooke Street Market

Franken-matcha ($8.50)

The popular strawberry matcha latte gets an extra layer of Franken-sauce, a spooky mix of pumpkin and spiced flavors.

725 Kapiolani Blvd. C122, csmhawaii.com, @cookestreetmarket

SEE ALSO: Sweet Treats: Don’t Sleep on the Hojicha Frappé at Matcha Café Maiko

From left: Pumpkin Spice Hojicha and Brown Sugar Cardamom Latte. Photos: Courtesy of Daily Whisk Matcha

Daily Whisk Matcha

Pumpkin Spice Hojicha Latte and Salted Pumpkin Spice Latte ($7.75 with whole milk, $8.75 with milk alternative)

Spice up your latte game at Daily Whisk Matcha with these pumpkin spice variants that can be enjoyed hot or cold. Another fall flavor available now is the Brown Sugar Cardamom Latte ($7.50 with whole milk, $8.50 with milk alternative).

1114 11th Ave., dailywhiskmatcha.com, @dailywhiskmatcha

From left: Pumpkin Oreos and Spooky Assorted Mini Box. Photos: Courtesy of Dipped by Dee

Dipped by Dee

Assorted Halloween Treats (from $4.50)

Pre-order a variety of spooky treats, from Pumpkin Oreos ($4.50) to a half-dozen dipped strawberries ($18) to apples decorated to look like cauldrons and pumpkin Minnie Mouses ($14). And if you order bulk by Oct. 24, you can score discounts.

PRE-ORDER

99-080 Kauhale St., ‘Aiea, dippedbydee.com, @dippedby_dee

From left: Pumpkin Crunch Mochi and Pumpkin Senbei. Photos: Courtesy of Fujiya Hawai‘i

Fujiya Hawai‘i

Pumpkin Crunch Mochi ($3.25/piece) and Pumpkin Senbei ($12.95/10 oz bag)

Get your crunch on with these pumpkin-flavored senbei and mochi, which will only be available until Thanksgiving.

930 Hauoli St., fujiyahawaii.com, @fujiyahawaii

SEE ALSO: At Heart: “I Got the Feeling Everybody Was There for the Love of It”

Photo: Courtesy of Great Harvest Bread Hawai‘i

Great Harvest Bread Hawai‘i

Witches’ Fingers (5 fingers for $6.50)

These ghoulishly green fingers are actually freshly baked cinnamon chip bread in disguise.

PRE-ORDER FOR KĀHALA

PRE-ORDER FOR KAILUA

Pre-order online and pick up between Oct. 26–31, Kāhala (4400 Kalaniana‘ole Hwy.) and Kailua (131 Hekili St., Suite 101), greatharvesthonolulu.com, @greatharvesthawaii

Photo: Courtesy of Hokulani Bake Shop

Hokulani Bake Shop

Halloween Cupcakes ($22 for a 4-pack)

The box comes with one Red Velvet, Chocolate Buttercream, Filled Vanilla Buttercream and Ube cupcake, all decorated with the spirit of Halloween.

PRE-ORDER

Pre-order online only, 500 Ala Moana Blvd. #4b, hokulanibakeshop.com, @hokulanibakeshop

Photo: Courtesy of Kulu Kulu Cake

Kulu Kulu Cake

Halloween Cakes (from $5.95)

Find these adorable treats at Kulu Kulu this month: a jack-o’-lantern cream puff ($5.95) filled with cinnamon and pumpkin custard cream and whipped cream; a black cat chocolate mousse cake ($6.50) filled with lilikoi mousse; and a Frankenstein mousse cake ($6.25) with white chocolate, matcha, raspberry and Oreo flavors. Plus, a special strawberry shortcake will be available from Oct. 29–31 featuring Halloween motifs (6″ $42.50, 7″ $52.50, 8″ $62.50)—pre-order it online or in stores.

Eaton Square (438 Hobron Lane, Ste. 102) and Royal Hawaiian Center (Building B food court, 2201 Kalākaua Ave.), kulukulucake.com, @kulukulucake

Photo: Courtesy of La Tour Café

La Tour Café

Kabocha Pumpkin Spice Kouign-Amann ($6.99)

La Tour’s popular kouign-amann takes a fall spin with kabocha flavoring and an orange interior. You can find a plant-based version at Planted.

Multiple locations, latourcafe.com, @latourcafe

SEE ALSO: La Tour Bakehouse Marks 40 Years with New Retail Location

Rosemary Pumpkin Cheesecake doughnuts. Photos: Courtesy of Little Vessels Co.

Little Vessels Co.

Kabocha Spice doughnut ($4.25) and Rosemary Pumpkin Cheesecake doughnut ($4.75)

Little Vessels is known for its square, plant-based doughnuts in fantastic flavors, with this month’s pumpkin additions being no exception. October’s menu includes more fall flavors, like Apple Cider and Maple Pecan Cream, and you’ll save if you get a flight of six doughnuts.

3458 Wai‘alae Ave., littlevesselsco.com, @littlevesselsco

SEE ALSO: At Heart: How Little Vessels Donut Co. Found a Home

Made by Ali Yoko

Spooky Wee Treat Bag ($15) and Spooky Treat Bag ($35)

Ali Yoko has an abundance of Halloween- and fall-themed treats for upcoming pop-ups at Ethel’s Grill on Saturday, Oct. 26, and Thursday, Oct. 31. Get a curated treat bag to try a variety.

Spooky Wee Treat Bag:

• Spooky Cupcake (pumpkin spiced cupcake, vanilla bean buttercream, sparkles)
• Lā‘ie Vanilla Boo-fetti Cookies
• Apple Cardamom Okoshi (puffed rice snack)
• Cupcake (no refrigeration needed)
• One type of cookie (three pieces each)
• Japanese puffed rice sweets (approx. six bite-size pieces)

Spooky Treat Bag:

• Pumpkin Spiced Streusel Loaf Cake
• Apple Jacks (Honeycrisp Apple Jam & Matcha) Butter Mochi
• Haunted Sesame (black sesame/chocolate chip)
• Masala Chai Pepita Okoshi (puffed rice snack)
• Loaf cake (6” x 3.5”)
• Butter mochi (4” x 4”)
• One type of cookie (6 pieces each)
• Japanese puffed rice sweets (5 oz by weight)

Pre-order via Instagram direct message and pick up at Ethel’s Grill, 232 Kalihi St., @madebyaliyoko

Photo: Courtesy of Malu Honolulu

Malu Honolulu

Spooky Vanilla Soft Serve ($6.50, comes with one free topping, $0.50/additional topping)

Craft a sinister soft serve in a Halloween cup with your choice of toppings. The free topping options include strawberry, chocolate, hojicha, matcha or black sesame sauce, Oreos, Fruity Pebbles and rainbow sprinkles.

661 Ke‘eaumoku St. #106E, maluhonolulu.com, @malu.honolulu

Spider Mochi Doughnuts. Photo: Courtesy of Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette

Spider Mochi doughnut ($4.29), Vanilla Scream Ghost Cake ($45.99), Chocolate Chiffon Jack-‘O-Lantern Cake ($45.99)

Spooktacular pastries and cakes are haunting Paris Baguette this season, along with a variety of fall flavors, like pumpkin and pecan.

1000 Bishop St. #104, parisbaguette.com, @parisbaguette_usa

SEE ALSO: We’ve Got Seoul: The Korean Wave in Hawai‘i

Photo: Courtesy of Sticky Fingers Snacks

Sticky Fingers Snacks

Peep-or-Treats ($2.50 for 1 or $6 for 4)

Delight trick-or-treaters with freeze-dried peeps shaped like ghosts, pumpkins, skulls and Frankensteins (or keep a stash for yourself).

Order online and pick up in ‘Aiea, stickyfingerssnacks.com, @sticky_fingers_gummies

Photos: Courtesy of Sweet Revenge

Sweet Revenge

Halloween Pies ($13 each) and Mochi Bento ($15)

Sweet Revenge has cooked up a selection of petrifying pies:

• Frankenpie: chocolate cake, Chantilly mousse, Chantilly frosting, Dobosh frosting, pretzel crunch, whipped cream
• Blood Velvet: red velvet cake, pastry cream, fresh strawberries, cream cheese frosting
• Ghost Pepper: cheesecake mousse, apple bananas, toasted walnuts, ghost pepper honey, whipped cream
• Trick or Treat: chocolate mousse, chopped butterfingers, mini m&ms, chocolate ganache, whipped cream

The Halloween mochi bento features liliko‘i mochi containing fresh blueberries—reminiscent of floating eyeballs—as well as a Halloween cookie.

PRE-ORDER

Various pickup locations, sweetrevengehonolulu.com, @sweetrevengehnl

Photos: Courtesy of Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha

Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha

Pumpkin Haupia Shave Ice (small $8.80, regular $10.30)

Uncle Clay’s October special shave ice is drenched in pumpkin-haupia syrup and haupia sauce, then topped with homemade mochi and pumpkin pie ice cream.

820 W. Hind Drive #116, houseofpurealoha.com, @uncleclays

From left: Pumpkin Spice and Pumpkin Crack ice cream. Photos: Courtesy of Wing Ice Cream

Wing Ice Cream Parlor

Pumpkin Spice ($5.75/serving) and Pumpkin Crack ice cream ($6.25/serving)

The Pumpkin Spice is made with a coconut base, so it’s non-dairy, while the Pumpkin Crack ice cream (dairy) has walnut toffee for a satisfying crunch. After this current batch runs out, the Pumpkin Crack will return in a non-dairy version along with a Pumpkin Cheesecake ice cream (dairy).

1145 Maunakea St. #4, wingicecream.square.site, @wingicecream

Last week, Sean Morris texted me asking if I’ve tried the gumbo at Nola Café, the New Orleans-inspired café that took over the corner of St. Louis Drive and Wai‘alae Avenue this summer. I have not, but I’m all ears. Sean is not just a local marketing wiz (he helped the café open), he’s also a gourmand. Funny enough, it’s not the gumbo that he can’t stop talking about, it’s the shrimp étouffée, another creole dish you rarely find in these parts. I agree to meet him for a hosted lunch the next day.

We split the jambalaya ($13 a bowl, $16 a plate), chicken and sausage gumbo ($15 bowl, $18 plate) and shrimp étouffée ($15 bowl, $18 plate). I order an iced coffee drink to cool off. Nola’s air conditioner struggles against the humidity, so it feels like you’re in the South.

SEE ALSO: Leila Brings a Refined Taste of Morocco to Kaimukī

Three bowls arrive with varying degrees of spice and heft. Jambalaya, the Cajun answer to paella, combines shrimp, chicken and andouille sausage with rice, tomatoes, broth and aromatic spices in one of my favorite dishes. With Spanish, African and French influences, this dish brings a lot to the table. Nola’s version is on the softer end of the texture spectrum but isn’t lacking in flavor. It’s got a decent note of spice without being too hot. I’d order a bowl again.

Jambalaya. Photo: Thomas Obungen

Nola’s recipes come from co-owner Courtney Aczon’s family, whose hometown is New Orleans. The gumbo is thinner than the gumbos I’ve had elsewhere that incorporate a dark roux. Served with two scoops of rice, it is closer to a light gravy with shredded chicken and pieces of andouille sausage than it is a stew. If you’re used to thicker Creole gumbo, mix in the rice to soak up the broth so it becomes thicker and more comforting. Plates, which are $3 more, come with extra rice and/or a side salad.

Chicken and sausage gumbo. Photo: Thomas Obungen

Shrimp étouffée is elusive, so when Sean could not stop talking about it, I knew I needed to try it. It lives up to my expectations with a velvety texture that smothers the bouncy shrimp tossed in just before finishing. If you’ve ever had pan roast at the Oyster Bar in Las Vegas, this is close, except without tomato. It’s served with rice, but I think a crusty baguette would do a fine job mopping up every drop.

Shrimp étoufée, foreground. Photo: Thomas Obungen

To make it a full lunch, I sip on a sweet Café Nola, espresso balanced with milk and chocolate, cinnamon and caramel syrups over ice. A completely different experience from the New Orleans iced coffee at Blue Bottle Coffee, but same in that the details make it stand out. Row Aczon, who co-owns Nola Café with his wife, Courtney, comes from the world of specialty coffee and knows a lot about pouring amazing lattes. Previously an operations manager at Kai Coffee, Aczon set off to make his own space with the added flair of Creole and Cajun food.

Photo: Thomas Obungen

But what would a New Orleans-inspired café be without beignets? Nola’s beignets are on the smaller side, which means they won’t leave you feeling like you need to run a marathon. In addition to the classic, non-filled version (4 pieces for $7), you can also have vanilla, chocolate or ube custard-filled beignets (4 pieces for $10). And yes, they are covered with a dangerous amount of powdered sugar, so be careful when inhaling.

Nola Café may not have the best parking situation, but don’t let that stand in your way. This menu is served all day, every day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3040 Wai‘alae Ave, nolacafehnl.com, @nolacafehnl

Sweet Treats is a new Frolic series featuring our favorite pick-me-ups.

Matcha soft serve and hojicha frappé. Photo: Andrea Lee

I moved out of Waikīkī last year, and the number one thing I miss is Matcha Café Maiko. After it opened in 2016, it became my go-to for all occasions: afternoon snack, after-dinner dessert, even Christmas treats. Now every time I’m in Waikīkī, I head there for my hojicha frappé fix.

Me and my mom at Matcha Café Maiko on Christmas Day 2021 and 2022. Photos: Andrea Lee

Though I’m also a matcha girlie, hojicha or roasted green tea grabs my attention more because it’s less common. The other drinks and treats I’ve tried at Maiko have all been great, but the hojicha frappé is my grab-and-go treat not only because it’s wonderfully refreshing in the humid island weather, but also because it shines with toasty, rounded hojicha flavor.

For me, hojicha treats at other places are lacking in hojicha flavor. I guess I like my hojicha to punch me in the mouth like it does at Maiko, the blow softened just enough by the frappé’s ice and milk.

SEE ALSO: Sweet Treats: Where to Find Hawai‘i’s Only Snowthies

Photo: Andrea Lee

Tips:

• If matcha is your speed, Maiko’s is just as good as the hojicha, and both flavors of soft serve ($6.80) are amazing. Ask for napkins—it’ll melt fast in the heat.
• For less mess, ask for your fresh waffle ice cream cone in a cup.
• If you prefer milk alternatives, oat milk is available.
• For the 8% kama‘āina discount, skip the self-serve kiosk. Order and pay at the cashier and show your ID.
• Sign up for the Cash App points system with your phone number to earn Leaves. When you collect 80, you can get a free item.
• There isn’t any designated parking, but Matcha Café Maiko is right across the street from Nordstrom Rack and International Market Place.
• Follow Matcha Café Maiko on Instagram to find out the soft serve flavor of the month. September’s flavor is ume! Don’t nibble, take a full bite to better taste its subtle saltiness.

Ume soft serve. Photo: Andrea Lee

What: Hojicha frappé
Where: Matcha Café Maiko, 2310 Kūhiō Ave. #143
When: Open daily 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: $5.90 for a medium frappé, $6.60 for a large (show ID for 8% kama‘āina discount)
Payment: Card or phone payment, no cash
Contact: (808) 369-8031, matchacafe-maiko.com
Follow: @matchastand_maiko on Instagram

Editor’s Note: We published this guide in July 2023 to coincide with calendar-driven celebrations of ice cream. But come on, why don’t we get real and call summer National Ice Cream Season? Oh, right: We live in Hawai‘i, where the year-round king of icy treats is shave ice. Still, these melting days of September are a good time for a newly updated look at Alex Pang’s public service roundup.

Sunday may be National Ice Cream Day and July may be National Ice Cream Month, but ice cream is always in season in our ever-80-degree climate. While there is no shortage of chains and international brands, O‘ahu is home to a slew of delicious local ice cream makers that deserve your time and attention. Here, we spotlight these homegrown favorites.

Black Sheep Ice Cream Co.

Photo: Alexander Pang

Where: 

• Waipio: 94-1235 Ka Uka Blvd., (808) 600-5655
• Wahiawā: 43 S. Kamehameha Hwy, (808) 620-5550
• Kaka‘ako: H Mart, Second Floor, 458 Keawe St.
• Ko Olina Center & Station, 92-1049 Olani St. #3-101C

Contact: @blacksheepcreamco

Black Sheep specializes in thick, rich ice cream that pulls apart in slow spoonfuls. The micro chain makes an assortment of eyebrow-raising flavors, including Buttah Cakes, whose cream cheese base is embedded with chunks of butter cake; and the loaded Salted Crackamel, featuring salted cream, caramel ribbons and crispy cracker brittle. Pictured above is the popular Creep It Real, a luscious and filling take on cookies n’ cream. Grab your choice in a cup, classic or chocolate waffle cone, shake or float. Coffee lovers can even submerge their scoop in an affogato.

Butterfly Ice Cream (closed)

Photo: Alexander Pang

Where: Inside Rabbit Rabbit Tea University, Mō‘ili‘ili, 2700 S. King St., (808) 429-4483

Contact: butterflycreamery.com, @butterflyicecream

Located inside a boba shop below the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Butterfly Ice Cream serves over a dozen creamy house-made flavors. The black sesame is a standout, with a sweet, nutty taste that hovers pleasantly on the tongue. Butterfly’s specialty is “spirited” alcohol-infused ice cream, so we tried every dad’s timeless favorite: rum raisin. The rum-soaked raisins and undercurrent of alcohol lend depth to the flavor without overpowering the senses, an off-duty treat that goes down smooth.

SEE ALSO: Celebrate the Plant-Based Life at These 11 Vegan-Friendly Dessert Spots

Dave’s Hawaiian Ice Cream

Photo: Alexander Pang

Where and When: 

• ‘Aiea: 98-820 Moanalua Road, (808) 487-7887
• Waikīkī: Ilikai Hotel, First Floor, 1777 Ala Moana Blvd., (808) 425-4496
• Pearl City: 850 Kamehameha Hwy, (808) 456-8888
• Waimānalo: 41-1537 Kalanianaʻole Hwy, (808) 259-0356
• Waipi‘o Shopping Center, 94-1040 Waipi‘o Uka St., (808) 677-0028

Contact: daveshawaiianicecream.com, @davesicecream

After 40 years of serving local ice cream, Dave’s remains a household name. The scoops may not look as glitzy as some of the newer kids on the block, but Dave’s honed its straightforward flavors long ago. For a place that serves over 40 flavors, Dave’s has quite a few winners, including toasted macadamia nut, azuki bean and mint chip. It’s safe to call the green tea ice cream an island classic, with a creamy and distinctive flavor that’s kept locals hooked for decades.

Double Fat Ice Cream

Photo: Martha Cheng

Where: ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach, 124 Kealohilani Ave.

Contact: @doublefaticecream

Double Fat offers intriguing flavors with a nostalgic, local bent. Take the honey furikake flavor, based on the Chex Mix snack that you munched on as a kid at a post-game potluck, or the almond cookie flavor, with the buttery color and taste of the Chinese confection. Looking for something even more adventurous? Try the Crack Seed Delight, a sweet-salty-sour creation of strawberry and sweet cream ice cream, mochi crunch, condensed milk, li hing powder and whip.

Henry’s Place

Photo: Alexander Pang

Where: 234 Beach Walk, Waikīkī, (808) 772-8822

Contact: @henrysplacehawaii

Nestled between bustling Waikīkī hotels, Henry’s Place serves ice cream in styrofoam cups with flavor names scrawled on the side in Sharpie. While the presentation is unassuming, seasoned foodies know not to judge a book by its cover. The ice cream here is wonderfully light, smooth and addictive. Fruity flavors such as mango, liliko‘i and pineapple are perfect after a sweltering day at the beach. Henry’s Place is cash-only, and outdoor seating is limited, so come prepared.

SEE ALSO: Chill Out with 8 Frozen Treats We Found Around O‘ahu

Lappert’s Hawai‘i

Photo: Alexander Pang

Where: Hilton Hawaiian Village Rainbow Bazaar, Waikīkī, 2005 Kalia Road, (808) 943-0256

Contact: lappertshawaii.com, @lappertsaloha

Lappert’s is another veteran local ice cream maker, born of humble beginnings on Kaua‘i. While the majority of locations are on the neighbor islands, Lappert’s in Waikīkī offers the brand’s expansive selection of ice cream, baked goods and coffee. Fans of chunky, hearty ice cream loaded with caramel, nuts and fudge will find their match here. If you’re hungry for dessert, feast your eyes on the Kaua‘i Pie, a mouthwatering combo of Kona coffee ice cream, coconut flakes, dark chocolate fudge, macadamia nuts and vanilla cake crunch.

Sage Creamery

Photo: Thomas Obungen

Where: 91-3575 Kauluakoko St., ‘Ewa Beach

Contact: sagecreamery.com, @sagecreamery

Sage Creamery whips up local ingredients into delightful and intriguing flavors on a menu that changes monthly. While the popular Strawberry Fields and Cookies + Cream are frequent fixtures, other months have seen sumptuous limited-time choices like Butter Mochi, Guava Cream Pie and Blue Jasmine Milk Tea. Years in the making, Sage Creamery opened its scoop shop and café in ‘Ewa Beach. They tend to sell out, so if you want a taste, make a point to stop by sooner in the day.

Sweet As Ice Cream

Photo: Courtesy of Sweet As Ice Cream

Where:

• Lā‘ie: Hukilau Marketplace, 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy, (808) 762-0644
• Hale‘iwa: 62-620 Kamehameha Hwy
• Ala Moana Center: Center Court Level 3

Contact: sweetasicecream.com, @sweetas_icecream

Sweet As blends its ice cream with ripe fruit, creating colorful treats with potent flavor and texture. It’s simple: Choose your ice cream (vanilla, coconut, dairy-free coconut or soft serve) and your fruit (mango, strawberry, pineapple, blueberry, raspberry or mixed berry), and Sweet As will blend the two together. You can savor the scoops in a cup or a handmade waffle cone.

Sweet Creams

Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

Where: 1430 Kona St., Kaka‘ako, (808) 260-4725

Contact: @sweetcreams808

Sweet Creams specializes in rolled ice cream. After placing your order, you can watch the ice cream makers spread patches of ice cream on a cold plate before crafting them into snug, sweet rolls. There are vegan-friendly options and customizable combos allowing you to choose a base ice cream and up to four toppings. Speaking of toppings: Sweet Creams has everyone (and every ice cream) covered, with more than 30 choices ranging from gummy bears and Fruity Pebbles to fresh fruit and Okinawan sweet potato.

Uncle’s Ice Cream Sandwiches

Photo: Alexander Pang

Where: Various retailers; see the map here

Contact: unclesicecream.com, @unclesicecream

Once a North Shore stand dreamed up by hydroponic lettuce farmers, Uncle’s Ice Cream Sandwiches is now an island-wide enterprise. You can find the treats at grocers and retailers like ABC Store and Whole Foods. Uncle’s rich ice cream and thick cookies make for a satisfying mouthful, with flavors running the gamut from honey peanut butter to North Shore coffee.

SEE ALSO: Cool Operator–Uncle’s Ice Cream Expands

Wing Ice Cream

Photo: Courtesy of Wing Ice Cream

Where: 1145 Maunakea St. Ste. 4, Chinatown, (808) 536-4929

Contact: wingicecream.com, @wingicecream

This popular Chinatown ice cream parlor offers upbeat flavors like mango and chrysanthemum as well as heavier flavors like the bourbon-based Daddy Chill and a chocolate Oreo marshmallow swirl mashup fittingly called S’mOreos. If you’re looking for non-dairy options, try the coconut-based ice creams such as the chocolate and banana Coco Monkey and the cherry and chocolate Mon Cheri.

Sweet Treats is a new Frolic series featuring our favorite pick-me-ups.

Photo: Andrea Lee

Smoothies are widespread, snow ice a little harder to find in the Islands. But there is a place where you can get both: Milky Way Hawai‘i Ice combines Taiwanese snow ice with fruit juices in a sweet, thirst-quenching mashup known as the Snowthie.

The idea is the brainchild of Andy Gao, who wanted a dessert reminiscent of his native Taiwan. He launched Milky Way as a Snowthie truck five years ago with an eye-catching paint job of vibrant, smiley blobs by World Wide Walls co-founder Jasper Wong. Parked at Mother Waldron Park, the truck fit right in with the surrounding Kaka‘ako murals. Customers liked the fresh fruit juices and home-cooked azuki beans and taro enough that Gao went on to open a storefront in Kalihi.

Photo: Andrea Lee

That was three years ago. Having only been to the truck, I headed to Kalihi on a recent hot day to check out the Milky Way Café. The menu has more teas, Snowthie flavors and snow ice, plus air conditioning and a seating area. I order the two most popular Snowthies.

SEE ALSO: Honolulu’s Most Over-the-Top, Caffeinated Korean Shaved Ice Is Back

Gao fills the cups partway with papery layers of snow ice. To the Strawberry Man Snowthie ($6.50 for a medium), he adds juice. To the Snow Milk Snowthie ($6 for M), he adds milk. Both are finished off with a mound of snow, and the Snow Milk gets an additional base of grass jelly, a topping of boba and a drizzle of brown sugar syrup.

Strawberry Man is short for strawberry mango, and with its brilliant pinks and yellows, it’s a winner for Instagram. It’s also good for your tastebuds since the tartness of the fresh fruit juice shines through the creamy snow ice. The Snow Milk Snowthie is like a jacked-up brown sugar boba tea, though not overpoweringly sweet. Even amid the velvety milk taste, the house-made grass jelly stands out with a hint of herbal bitterness that almost tricks me into thinking this could be a bit healthy.

Gao’s favorite is the Taro Snowthie, which he says often takes people by surprise. It’s white, not purple, since it’s made with fresh taro and no artificial coloring.

Photo: Andrea Lee

Milky Way Hawai‘i Ice shares a parking lot with other businesses. According to Gao, stalls marked for certain businesses are free for all patrons to use.

Tips:

• Stir your Snowthie to soften it up for slurping.
• If a drink or snow ice at the store has a topping on the menu, you can swap out for two toppings of your choice for free.
• If you’re lactose-intolerant, bring Lactaid: There are no milk substitutes. Or get a non-dairy tea.
• You can order from the Kalihi shop by phone or online via Uber Eats or Clover.
• You can get free delivery within 2 miles of the Kalihi store for orders of 10 drinks or more.
• You can book the Milky Way truck for private events like weddings, birthday parties and corporate gatherings.

What: Snowthie
Cost: $6 to $6.50 for M, $7 to $7.50 for L
Where:

• Milky Way Hawai‘i Ice, 2130 N. King St. #9
• Check Instagram for the truck’s locations. When in Kaka‘ako, it parks on the Pohukaina Street side of Mother Waldron Park.

When: Shop open Sunday to Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check Instagram for the truck’s schedule.
Payment: Cash or card
Contact: (808) 200-1448 for the Kalihi shop, (808) 463-8110 for the truck
Follow: @milky_way_hawaii on Instagram

Photo: Thomas Obungen

Just in time for the sweltering days of summer, En Hakkore Café and its signature giant bing su are back, baby. And by giant, we mean a heaping ramen bowl of Korean-style shaved milk ice served with a shot of espresso, easily enough for two or three. Once tucked behind the produce section of Ke‘eaumoku’s former 88 Pal Pal Supermarket, the quaint café has reemerged in the small food court inside Palama Supermarket on Makaloa Street, giving stylish imos and their equally stylish friends a place to hang out and gossip again over jumbo fruit bing su ($15.20).

Jumbo is not an exaggeration. These icy bowls capture a room’s attention like sizzling fajitas coming out of the kitchen at a Mexican restaurant. After mine arrives, three tables around me in the food court all order their own.

Photo: Thomas Obungen

It starts with the ice itself: It’s not entirely water. It’s more like milk cut with water and frozen before it’s shaved into an ephemeral snow-like dust. Working quickly, the owner tops the white mound with sweet red beans, freshly cut banana, strawberry and honeydew melon, and then mochi, slivered almonds, bokkeun konggaru (roasted soybean powder) and a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk. A hot shot of espresso rides sidecar on the tray, setting En Hakkore apart from other Korean shaved ice shops on island.

SEE ALSO: Hawai‘i’s Best Korean Shave Ice Is Hidden in a Supermarket

Sip on that demitasse between bites of milky ice and fruit or just pour that sucker right over everything as the bing su gods intended. Don’t worry, it won’t melt your powdery snow that much. When mixed in, the milky ice and subtle sweetness balance out the bitter coffee in harmonious bites that keep you wanting more.

Photo: Thomas Obungen

Although I’ve only ever come to En Hakkore for the bing su, there’s a full café menu with other coffee drinks, teas and sweet toasts that have all survived the move too. The only new addition is a self-cook instant ramyun noodle station that boils water on an induction cooktop.

Photo: Thomas Obungen

This visit, I also try an iced green grape ade. Ades, derived from the word lemonade, are a popular class of drinks in Korean cafés. Especially refreshing in the summer, ades have fruit that have been pulverized or macerated with sugar and served mixed into sparkling water or soda. As a big fan of grapes, I needed to cure my curiosity, and I’m happy I did.

SEE ALSO: Shades of Shave Ice: Get Your Bingsu Two Ways in Ke‘eaumoku

Think of sweet-sour green grapes blended and added to a bubbling cup of icy Chilsung Cider. The zing of the sweet lemon-lime soda evens out the grape’s acid, plus there are bubbles. I wouldn’t recommend having this with bing su, though—it’s just too much stimulation for one sitting.

Photo: Thomas Obungen

Now that En Hakkore and its giant caffeinated bing sus are back, you’ll probably catch me cooling off with the aunties, since these summer temps are about as hot as the gossip around here.

Daily 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., 1670 Makaloa St. @enhakkorecafe

Photo: Andrea Lee

Walk up to Fishcake on a Saturday morning and you’ll be greeted by a tiny lady waving a baker’s mitt that says Hang Loose. Elizabeth Thu Hai Pham is in charge of customer acquisition for Anh Chị Em Bakery, her daughter’s pop-up—and my new favorite.

Baker and owner Diana Hai Hoa Pham’s tantalizing array includes Vietnamese and Viet-inspired hand pies, cakes, spring rolls and more. I ended up coming here four weeks in a row. These baked goods are ridiculously tasty, and the Phamily—Pham and her life partner Raquel Curtis, brother Thaddeus and Mama Pham, the “marketing manager”—has such good vibes.

SEE ALSO: Rotating Pop-Up Vendors at Fishcake Hook Us With New Delights

Left to right: Raquel Curtis, Diana Hai Hoa Pham, Thaddeus Pham. Photo: Andrea Lee

The Beginning

In fact, anh chị em means brothers and sisters in Vietnamese. A baker by trade, Diana Pham moved to O‘ahu from New York about a year ago to join her brother, who has lived here for more than 20 years. She invited her mother, who was in California, to move in with her, reuniting the Phamily.

But for all Pham’s culinary work at bakeries and restaurants including Koko Head Café, making Vietnamese pastries was new to her. Traditional items she learned from YouTube tutorials; the taste-tester was Vietnam-born Elizabeth. For non-traditional items, like her iced coffee-infused cinnamon rolls, Pham says, “I take a lot of inspiration from Vietnamese flavors and dishes and think, ‘How can we mash it up into something new and good?’”

Anh Chị Em debuted with an invitation to pop up at Da Shop: Books + Curiosities in Kaimukī last November. Once the ball started rolling, it kept going. Occasional appearances at Fishcake turned into a weekly thing. Pham starts prep on Wednesday or Thursday, and gets up at 3 a.m. on Saturday to bake everything fresh.

SEE ALSO: These Foodie Craft Classes Nourish Mind and Soul

Everything I Tried

Ranked from liked it to loved it:

Ca Phe Sua Cinnamon Roll, $8

This take on a cinnamon roll gets its flavor from Vietnamese coffee, with a condensed milk cream cheese frosting. It’s not that sweet for a cinnamon roll, but it is a bit for my taste, and the frosting is quite cream cheesy. Great paired with coffee, though.

Banh Bo, $8

These traditional steamed rice cakes are mildly sweet, fluffy and jiggly, plus gluten- and dairy-free. The sugary dip has a bit of salt, cayenne and toasted sesame seeds. Good to share since it comes with four pieces.

Ca Ri Puff, $7

Incredibly flaky and buttery, the puff pastry is filled with a mild, comforting coconut curry of carrots, peas and potatoes. A yummy vegetarian option.

Furikake Focaccia, $6

This is almost too tall to fit in my mouth, yet satisfying to bite into with plenty of furikake on top. The outside is a bit hard, as focaccia can be, but the inside is soft and moist with flavorful oil. At first, I find it odd to eat by itself, but the more I eat it, the more I like it.

Crumb Cake, $6

I tried a version with cinnamon crumble topped with strawberry jam. It’s similar in texture to an apple crisp, but more solid with nice crunchy edges. While the strawberry was too subtle to taste, I enjoyed the cake.

Apple Ginger Hand Pie, $7

This is super flaky, and the ginger in the filling adds a zing against the apple’s tart sweetness. Keep an eye out for this since hand pie flavors rotate.

Banh Bo Nuong, $7

Another Vietnamese classic, this baked pandan honeycomb cake is a little sweeter than the banh bo, with the same great texture. This is also gluten- and dairy-free.

Cha Gio Chay, $2

These are the best spring rolls I’ve ever had. Filled with cabbage, carrots, onions and shiitake mushrooms, these are vegetarian and have a nice crunch and uber-umami mushroom flavor. I could probably eat five.

Banh Tieu, $3

This is Aunty Elizabeth’s favorite—if you order it while she’s around, she’ll ring her bell for you. The taste and consistency are like a cross between youtiao and jin dui—got that yummy chew. Even though it’s relatively plain, it’s addictive.

Pate So, $7

Filled with pork, onions and shiitake mushrooms, this reminds me of pasties in England, except 1,000 times better. Even if I could get over the puff pastry, biting into the savory filling lights up my taste buds every time.

Jasmine Tea Cake, $6

My absolute favorite (and Thaddeus’s). If you’re a boba girlie, you’ll love this—it’s like jasmine milk tea in cake form, beautifully moist, tea-flavor-forward and not too sweet. I wish I could get this every day of the week.

SEE ALSO: New Ocean Side Bakery Brings a Taste of France to Chinatown

Follow @anhchiembakery on Instagram to see the week’s rotation plus any special preorder boxes. I snagged a box with everything they had for $50, which is how I ended up trying so many things. And there will be more: Pham is considering offering iced coffee, che (a fruity coconut milk dessert similar to halo halo) and banh mi specials in the future.

Photo: Andrea Lee

For now, Anh Chị Em will remain a Saturday staple at Fishcake with occasional pop-ups at Daily Whisk Matcha. Bring cash or pay by Venmo, and arrive early—popular pastries can sell out by noon.

Photo: Andrea Lee

While you’re there, peek inside Fishcake at the other food vendors plus art, furniture, jewelry, plants and so many locally sourced curios to be found.

Cash or Venmo, Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fishcake, 307 Kamani St., @anhchiembakery

Editor’s Note: This week’s stifling, steamy summer heat has us thinking of nothing but shave ice—which brings to mind this classic video series from the summer of 2021. The last episode, here, takes us on a creamy, jelly-filled tangent: halo halo.

Shades of Shave Ice explores the rainbow of expressions of our favorite summertime treat. From its ethnic origins to farm-fresh flavors and must-have toppings, we’re spotlighting O‘ahu’s shave ice scene one or two shops at a time.

In our final episode of Shades of Shave Ice, we’re called back to our roots. Growing up in Hawai‘i, there’s a style of shave ice we remember most from small-kid-time. Whether it originates from your cultural background or just a neighborhood shop, there’s always one that brings us home every time we get to enjoy it.

For us, it’s halo halo! Maybe it wasn’t the most readily available shave ice, but the sweet, milky treat always put a special smile on our faces. Despite many Filipino restaurants serving up their versions of halo halo, Magnolia Ice Cream and Treats remains the halo halo destination in Waipahu. Pandan fans, coconut jelly addicts and ube aficionados can all agree that Magnolia serves up halo halo memories for days. Mahalo for following along on this sweet journey with us through Hawai‘i’s beautiful shades of shave ice!

Special thanks to Mahina Chong for the video assist!

$5 to $8.59, open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m.—9 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m.—8 p.m., 94-50 Farrington Highway, magnoliatreats.com, @magnoliaicecreamtreats, #thehalohaloplace

SEE ALSO: Best of Honolulu 2019: The Best Food and Drink on O‘ahu

View more Shades of Shave Ice

Episode 1: Shades of Shave Ice: Local Fruit Shines at Waikīkī’s New Shave Ice Shop
Episode 2: Shades of Shave Ice: Kapahulu is Home to Two Old-School Shave Ice Institutions
Episode 3: Shades of Shave Ice: Get Your Bingsu Two Ways in Ke‘eaumoku
Episode 4: Shades of Shave Ice: Kailua’s Neighborhood Shops With Shave Ice Counters
Episode 5: Shades of Shave Ice: Waikīkī Has Taiwanese Shave Ice Cornered on Kūhiō and Seaside