The past few years elongated the summer treat options with the insurgence of sno, bingsoo, halo-halo, snow cream, milk snow and the likes: a light, shaved ice cream topped with a surplus of treats like fruit, syrups, condensed milk, mochi, cereals, cookies and more. These are desserts from a variety of Asian countries, all with different iterations, hence the different monikers. Some options are more creamy, as if ice cream has literally been shaved into layers then piled high (Snocream, Dessert Story), while others are actual shaved ice with the syrups and drizzles bringing in the flavor (Siroo). Some focus on traditional toppings like red beans and sweet beans (The Corner Q). And some even add a scoop of ice cream to the mix (Shilla Bakery). But for those who are looking for a less dense yet still cold, creamy dessert to delve into for the summer, order shaved ice cream.
WHERE TO FIND SHAVED ICE CREAM
Breeze Bakery
4125 Hummer Road, Annandale; breezebakery.com
Manoa Bakery Café
7326 Little River Turnpike, Annandale; facebook.com/manoabakery
Siroo & Jook Story
13830 Lee Highway, Centreville; siroousa.com
Shilla Bakery
Multiple locations; shillabakeryusa.com
Dessert Story
3238 Old Pickett Road, Fairfax; facebook.com/SweetDessertstory
Snocream Company
The Block: 4221 John Marr Drive, Annandale; snocreamcompany.com
Fairfax Inn Restaurant
2946 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church; fairfaxinnrestaurant.com
5T Ice
24555 Dulles Landing Drive, Sterling; facebook.com/5TICE
The Corner Q
8170 Silverbrook Road, Lorton; thecornerq.com