Most folks have heard of Italian ice and snow cones, but the concept of shave ice may be unfamiliar. Shave ice is a Hawaiian dessert that is made by literally shaving ice off a block. This frozen treat is exactly what’s on the menu at Kailani Shave Ice & Ramen in New Milford. As the name implies, they also serve ramen dishes.
The 1,200-square foot space seats 30 indoors and also offers seasonal outdoor seating from spring to fall. “It’s a modern, clean, and cozy space with Hawaiian vibes and sustainability in mind,” says Miriam Yu. Miriam owns Kailani Shave Ice & Ramen along with her husband, Steven.
“We use products that are good for the economy and good for the environment,” she adds. For instance, shave ice bowls are 100% biodegradable, while forks and spoons are either biodegradable or plant-based. Likewise, nearly all their equipment is made in America. “We had several more cost-effective options available to us. But we wanted to remain true to ourselves and what’s important to us, and that is to support our economy.”
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A Concise-Yet-Eclectic Menu
The menu at Kailani Shave Ice & Ramen is intentionally small. However, they still offer an assortment of items. In particular, popular Ramen dishes include the Shoyu ramen and Miso ramen. However, Miriam’s favorites are the Tan Tan and Saimin.
Meanwhile, their signature shave ice comes in flavors like Halo-Halo (a popular Filipino dessert) and Mango Coco Tango. But Miriam raves about the Bingsoo shave ice. It contains sliced almonds with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, red beans, and milk ice. “I just can’t get enough of it,” she says. “I just love it.”
In addition to ramen and shave ice, Kailani serves homemade ice cream. At the moment, Ube (purple yam) is the top-selling flavor. “It’s fun watching people’s reactions when they sample it,” Miriam says. “Many haven’t tried it before and are surprised by its taro-like flavor.”
About Kailani Shave Ice & Ramen
The owners of Kailani Shave Ice & Ramen live in nearby Oradell, where Miriam grew up. Her parents and in-laws both owned restaurants and small businesses. “After falling in love with Hawaii on a family vacation in 2019, we came back wanting more,” Miriam explains. “When we couldn’t find a Hawaiian shave Ice shop anywhere in the area, we decided to open one ourselves.”
Aside from Kailani, both Miriam and Steven have separate full time jobs. “It’s a juggling act for sure,” Miriam admits. “But we make it work because they’re all important to us.”
Visit Kailani Shave Ice at 840 River Rd in New Milford. Look for them online to learn more.
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All Photos: © Kailani Shave Ice & Ramen