Guides

How to Order Shaved Ice Like You Know What You're Doing

A tiny cheat sheet for your first (or fiftieth) bowl.

How to Order Shaved Ice Like You Know What You're Doing

The choices you'll face

Ordering shaved ice can feel like a lot the first time. Here's the short version of what the counter is really asking.

  • Ice base: water-based (light) or milk snow (creamy)
  • One flavor or a combo — combos are half the fun
  • Toppings: fruit, boba, jelly, mochi
  • Finishers: condensed-milk snow cap, ice cream at the bottom

Can't-miss combos

If you're stuck, a few classics never fail: strawberry-lychee, mango-passionfruit, or matcha with red bean and a milk-snow base. Start there, then start experimenting.

Explore more: Our menu · More Guides · All locations

Meet the cutest ice on earth 🌵

Prickly Ice is opening soon in Hawaii, Arizona, Michigan and San Diego. Every bowl is hand-shaved snow sculpted into a smiling little cactus and buried in fresh fruit.

Get Opening-Day Alerts