Today, I visited the Sakanoue Kakigor, located at Lalaport Mall.
This time, I ordered the strawberry shortcake, which cost RM26 per bowl.
Although it is called "Strawberry Shortcake", it is actually a kakigōri (Japanese shaved ice) designed to recreate the flavors and appearance of Japan's famous strawberry shortcake rather than being an actual cake.
the dessert resembles a miniature celebration cake. A thick dome of silky cream espuma sits on top, crowned with a fresh strawberry. The bright red strawberry compote flows over the sides like a cake glaze. The finely shaved ice forms a snowy white "cake body." It is served in a black ceramic bowl that contrasts beautifully with the white ice and vivid red strawberries. The presentation is clearly inspired by a Japanese strawberry shortcake, making it look almost too pretty to eat.
Unlike ordinary shaved ice, which can be crunchy, this kakigōri uses extremely fine ice shaved into paper-thin flakes. The result is a texture often compared to fresh snow, cotton clouds or whipped silk.
Instead of chewing ice, it melts almost immediately on the tongue. Modern premium kakigōri shops deliberately shave large blocks of tempered ice very thinly to achieve this texture.
Each spoonful combines several layers of Cream espuma, Strawberry sauce,fresh strawberries hidden inside and on top. The soft, shaved ice that absorbs the sauce rather than diluting it.
The dessert is based on one of Japan's most beloved cakes.
Unlike the American strawberry shortcake made with biscuits, the Japanese version consists of delicate sponge cake, lightly sweetened whipped cream and fresh strawberries
It is one of Japan's iconic celebration cakes, especially for birthdays and Christmas. Sakanoue cleverly transforms those same flavours into shaved ice by replacing sponge cake with fluffy kakigōri.
