Serious Eats: Sweets
Los Angeles: 10 Icy Sweet Treats We Love
[Photographs: Katie Robbins]
As with dumplings or meat-on-a-stick, every culinary tradition seems to have its own version of a slushy, ice-based sweet treat, from the audacious, over-the-top Korean patbingsu to the comparatively austere Italian ice. Though the interpretations of these shivery, sugary confections show amazing range, at their core, they share an ability to elevate simple frozen water into refreshing, flavorful summer treasures.
Thanks to its tremendous diversity and its extended stretches of warm weather, Los Angeles offers what may be an unmatched opportunity to sample the world of these frosty treats. So we girded our heads against inevitable brain freeze and dove headlong into a tasting tour that included raspados, Hawaiian shave ice, Taiwanese baobing, and the classic New Orleans sno-ball. Most are of the shaved or crushed variety (with a couple of noted exceptions). Check them out in the slideshow »
Of course, given the sheer range of L.A.'s offerings, this is but a mere sampling of what is available to cool you off this summer. Tell us about other favorites in the comments.
Get Chilly With Us
Sno-Ball at New Orleans Sno Balls »
Shaved Snow at Class 302 »
Let Them Eat Cake at Get Shaved »
Ice Kiss at Ice Kiss »
Poppy Seed Slush at Saffron & Rose »
Mix-Your-Own Shaved Ice at Bin Bin Konjac »
Nuez Raspado at Raspados Don Manuel »
Italian Ice at DiDio's Italian Ices »
Coffee Cup Shaved Ice at Boba Time »
Shaved Ice at Mikawaya »
