My dear hiking buddy is in town for business, besides our healthy hobby (hiking), we like to pig out too!!! This is a new place we tried together last night at Ktown called the Sul & Bean. It's a Korean Bingsoo place, and it definitely changed my mind about shaved ice. I thought the only shaved ice I like it's the Taiwanese snowflakes shaved ice, but you know what, this is just as good! The line wasn't too bad and the plaza offers 2 hour free parking with validation. Definitely worth a try!
Last weekend, I was driving from east LA back to west LA. While on the freeway, you know what I saw? The thermometer in my car said that it's 107F (42C) outside!!!!!! It is the middle of October, and it is freaking hot here in LA!!!! Who says global warming isn't true? What should one do to tackle this crazy weather? Ice cream? Boba? I have a better idea, how about shaved ice?
Class 302 definitely has the best shaved ice in LA. It is sooooooooooo good that I really won't go anywhere else for shaved ice despite the long drive! It has two locations in LA (Cerritos and Hacienda Heights) and one in Irvine. The theme of this place is like a school/classroom theme. The waiters/waitresses dress in school uniforms, the tables are like desks, and there are blackboards with menus written in chalks...... the whole place makes you feel like you are back to school!!
Their food is very good also, I especially like their bento boxes and dry noodles, as well as the appetizers/Taiwan street food. I didn't go there for dinner this time, I literally went there just for the shaved ice, although I did end up ordering the popcorn chicken too :P, which by the way, is very delicious! Crispy but not greasy, topped with some chili powder and fried basil! There are two kinds of shaved ice, water-based and milk-based. Water-based is basically crushed ice with syrup over it and some toppings (Japanese style). Milk-based, also called snowflake shaved ice, is from Taiwan. The ice block itself is infused with condensed milk and flavors, and the ice is then shaved using a special machine to create these fluffy layers (really! look at the pictures below!!!), which almost tastes like ice cream but lighter.
My favorite shaved ice in this place is the mango and the green tea red bean. The green tea one has very strong tea flavor, a tiny bit bitter but balanced so well with the sweetness from the red bean topping. The mango flavor is just so refreshing. Almost every time, I have to struggle between the two! It is pretty big for one person, so it's advisory to share between 2-4 people. Inside the shaved ice, it has a little surprise as you eat, and you will find almond tofu in the middle. Also, there are these mochi balls as toppings, which I love. They are so chewy, and it adds more fun when you are having the shaved ice. I was literally having some chills towards the end of this dessert! So if you are looking for ways to cool down on a hot summer day (it's October, but it's still summer weather.... unbelievable), this would definitely be a yummy way to cool down!
I love Gelato. Anything Italian is good, right?? Gelato is the Italian word for ice cream. It might taste very similar to ice cream, but it has a lower fat content than ice cream, which gives it a denser texture. I have always preferred gelato to regular ice cream, some people might say otherwise because they prefer the creamy texture of the ice cream.
This is the infamous Amorino Gelato in Beverly Hills. The first location is in Paris in 2002. Then, they expanded to the international market and now there are stores all over the world, including Los Angeles! One question that people always ask when they order a gelato is "How many flavors can I have?", and the answer in this place is "as many as you want!" Dreams come true, huh? I always try a million flavors before I pick which flavors to have.... I know.... not the most decisive person when it comes to food (what if I pick the wrong one?!!). My favorite flavor in this place is the mango, limone, nocciola and pistachio. If you order a cone, instead of scoops of gelato in a cup, they arrange the scoops into flower petals. Gelato arts! I was talking to the server, and apparently the ingredients are from Italy, and it was made in France, then shipped to the US (if I remember correctly). The fruit gelato tastes....um.... like a more intense flavor of the fruit itself, very refreshing for a hot summer day. This is a gelato place that I would recommend, yet not the best one I have had. My favorite is the Bulgarini Gelato, they have some very unique flavors. I also really like Ici and Amare in Berkeley. Hopefully, I will be there soon so that I can tell you guys more about them!!
