Saika

stopped by for a macha parfait @ saika on 10.12.2023

but no shiok!

nothing like arashiyama ine =

https://maps.app.goo.gl/p5KiC57y9hGXjvHc8?g_st=ic

no macha cake, no chestnut, no warabi mochi..big serving but doesn’t the right combination of texture and taste

¥4480 for 2 parfait, 1 drink & 1 macha + mochi

can skip

Season off but we ordered KAKIGORI. Very good impact strawberry KAKIGORI. Matcha and Milk are just okay. If Milk is put on top of KAKIGORI like half macha half milk then my favourite style is KAKIGORI.

Tucked just off the main shopping street, this spot is quiet and delightful. We ordered the matcha parfait and the strawberry kakigori, which were both superb.

The parfait had many interesting elements, but the backbone was the matcha soft serve. Very slightly bitter to offset the whipped cream, this was a worthy contender in the Japanese parfait arena. The kinako combined with the soft serve and cream and the corn flakes at the bottom meant that the final bites were the best, the mark of a great dish. The kakigori was also great, with the softest texture imaginable and a free refill of the sweet fruity sauce. A must try.

We stumbled upon this place after an extremely hot day sightseeing around the area. It’s a bit hidden, but google maps does a good job leading you there. We waited over 30 minutes in the HEAT just to get in. There aren’t that many seating areas inside so you have to wait till someone finishes. We were the only foreigners there and in line too, so maybe it’s a place for locals? They don’t have any English signs or menus so I’m assuming it is. Which isn’t a bad thing! Just be ready to use your phone for google translate on the menu or just point at the picture if you see something you like. Warning, unlike most places most of their menu doesn’t have a picture so try your best to use google translate if you want to see all the options. I can read basic Japanese so we got by with that.

We were initially shocked by the prices, mostly all we’re over 1000 yen. But when it came out it made sense… it was huge!! Like absolutely huge. We didn’t think we could finish it all, but realized that it’s all super soft snow like texture, so it wasn’t as much as we thought it was. We still couldn’t finish our portions.

The strawberry one was tart and sweet. The matcha red bean one was sweet but also bitter. Both tasted great! It may not seem well coated since the middle is white, but that’s normal you have to take mixed scoops to make it well coated.

Overall, it was worth the awful wait in the heat. Much better than anything you can get off the streets for sure.

Highly recommended. I’m from Hawaii and familiar with shave ice. It’s nothing like what we can have in Hawaii. The ice is shaved so finely. It’s like eating clouds. I ordered Matcha Anko with Shiratama topping. It’s huge and delicious!

If I could post higher, I would. Wasn’t too busy and was able to get a seat relatively quickly. The waitress was nice as well and the ice I got was delicious!

Super nice Japanese dessert! Must have to go again and again. Beyond 5 stars!

Cozy small desser restaurant. Nicely decorated. The staff was very friendly and attentive. English menu available. Prices were reasonable. Quality food. Generous portion size. Tasty and delicious. Highly recommended to stop by after visiting Senjo ji.