Matsumoto’s in Haleiwa, Hawaii

Matsumoto Shave Ice

Irvine, California

May 4, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo “I must have shave ice before leaving this island,” my husband announced. He had waited for over a year to get his hands on some of Hawaii’s most popular frozen treats. Last year, he stood in line for over 20 minutes at the Hana Taro Festival, only ...Read more “I must have shave ice before leaving this island,” my husband announced. He had waited for over a year to get his hands on some of Hawaii’s most popular frozen treats. Last year, he stood in line for over 20 minutes at the Hana Taro Festival, only to find that the line did not move. So this year, he would fulfill his destiny of consuming shave ice on Oahu.

When asked, most locals will tell you that Matsumoto’s is the best place to go for shave ice. This small, weather-beaten store near the north shore of Oahu, in Haleiwa, does not provide tables and chairs to enjoy your treat. Only benches line either side of the front door.

The small parking lot to the left of the store filled up quickly, so we pulled over at the side of the road across the street. Make sure you take the pedestrian crosswalk or else you could find yourself trying to negotiate the busy traffic heading to and from the north shore.

We entered Matsumoto’s, where we bought a plastic shave ice holder. Typically, stores sell shave ice in a paper cone, which deteriorates and leaks during consumption. So the plastic holders allow you to enjoy the delicacy at your leisure. The catch? Each plastic holder costs an additional $0.25.

Matsumoto’s sells two sizes of shave ice. The small size sells for $1.50 while the large costs and additional $0.25. My husband ordered a large shave ice with half lilikoi (passion fruit) and half mango flavor. Resembling a packed snowball, this glowing yellow concoction refreshed us on a hot afternoon. With a straw dug deep to pick up the melted liquid and a spoon, we ate the shave ice within minutes. One of our friends added azuki (red) beans. Others around us added soft serve ice cream to the bottom of their shave ice.

When I asked our good friend, Yolanda, who hails from Oahu, why Matsumoto’s is so special, she answered that the store was once the only location along the road to and from the north shore where one could get shave ice. And you couldn’t drive all the way out to the north shore without stopping here. Matsumoto’s has history and epitomizes the Hawaiian local store experience.

After we piled back into the car, my husband turned to me and remarked, “I’m ready for another serving.” To his great fortune, Matsumoto’s would be the first of three chances to enjoy shave ice. Now, that’s the way to vacation in Oahu. Close

From journal A Haole Hanging in Oahu...With Locals

Matsumoto’s

by travellingdave

Calgary, Alberta

April 8, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo On a hot, Hawaiian summer day, what could be better than a huge cone of ice, doused with fresh fruit juices and syrups, topped with vanilla ice cream and red azuki beans? To satisfy these cravings, look no further than the excellent Matsumoto's ...Read more On a hot, Hawaiian summer day, what could be better than a huge cone of ice, doused with fresh fruit juices and syrups, topped with vanilla ice cream and red azuki beans? To satisfy these cravings, look no further than the excellent Matsumoto's Shave Ice stand, a small, unimposing building on the Kamehameha Highway in downtown Hale'Iwa, on Oahu's North Shore.

Matsumoto's is well-known around the island for its excellent shave ice (snow cones). Locals are known to drive the hour from Honolulu just to enjoy a shave ice, then drive back. It's really that good. The lineup was long when I visited on a busy Monday afternoon in early February. The sun was hot and people were thirsty. Behind the counter, 5 or 6 Hawaiian females hurriedly hand-shave the ice into perfect spheres, pop them into cones, and liberally pour the flavor syrup (you get to choose three). Toppings are optional.

I ordered the delicious lilikoi (passion fruit), along with coconut cream and piña colada. While the latter two were mass-produced syrups, overly sweet but still tasty, the lilikoi was actual juice - not to sweet, and much less syrupy than the other flavors. It was simply delicious, and a bargain at only $1.50. I passed on the toppings, which looked good (although I've never tasted an azuki bean). A shave ice with everything costs around $2.50. Toppings are a bit of a misnomer, though, as they are added to the bottom of the cone, with the shave ice on top of them!

Try one of these and you'll instantly be hooked - it simply is the best quality snow cone you'll ever have, and it is a uniquely Hawaiian treat. The stand is within walking distance of beautiful Hale'iwa Beach Park, so buy a cone or two and head over for some relaxing on the sand. The store also sells beach mats, water, and souvenirs for those interested. Light snacks are also available.

To get to Matsumoto's, take the Kamehameha Highway from Honolulu north across the island. It's on your left hand side heading north from Honolulu, right in the center of beautiful Hale'iwa.

Visit Matsumoto's online at: www.matsumotoshaveice.com Close

From journal Oahu - The Heart of Hawaii

Matsamoto's Grocery Store

by Katie Morgan

San Antonio, Texas

April 16, 2005

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Best of IgoUgo So what's the deal with shave ice? It isn't a snow cone, though from a distance you might think so. And yes, even the locals here drive to Matsamoto's on the North Shore for shave ice. I prefer mine over ice cream, but the bean option seems like a ...Read more

From journal Life in Paradise

Matsumoto’s

by Traveler707

SONOMA, California

March 10, 2005

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Shave ice (note that there's no "d" on the "shave") is a really wonderful delight. The ice is actually shaved off a big block right in front of you into a fine powder, so it's easy to eat. Then it's topped with any one of countless exotic tropical ...Read more

From journal Oahu Mahalo Nui Loa

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