Sakanoue’s previous pop-up at Isetan Scotts attracted a long queue
Kakigori, which consists of shaved ice paired with various toppings, is a well-loved summertime treat in Japan. Sakanoue, which originated in Tokyo, is particularly popular, as customers would queue for up to four hours there to get their fix.In Singapore, the brand has collaborated with Drips Bakery Cafe to sell its icy sweet treats from Apr 4 at the cafe’s 62-seat Tiong Poh Road outlet. While there is no separate storefront for Sakanoue, the dessert shop has brought in the special machine it uses to shave ice.
According to Sakanoue, its shaved ice is not the coarse grains that we usually get in local ice kacang. The ice is gently scraped from a block to create “light-as-air flakes” that melt delicately in your mouth.
The ice blocks are handcrafted by traditional Kanazawa ice-maker Kuramoto Ice, which has been producing ice for over a century. Each block is slow-frozen over 72 hours at -10 degrees Celsius, with craftsmen constantly agitating the block as it freezes. This process minimises air bubbles and leaves out mineral impurities, which produces pure, crystal-clear ice that the Japanese call “junpyo”.
The bowls of ethereally wispy shaved ice are topped with four layers of sauces and toppings like brandied cherries and camembert cheese sauce.
At Drips Bakery Cafe, customers can choose from six kakigori flavours, including a Singapore-exclusive Signature Blackforest Kakigori ($19.80). The dessert comes with a bed of shaved ice topped with gold flakes, brandied cherries, chocolate sauce, cream cheese, tea caramel sauce and cinnamon crumble cookies. Cherry brandy liqueur is served on the side.
There are also Sakanoue’s signature flavours, like a ‘strawberry shortcake’ kakigori with fresh strawberries, espuma cream, and strawberry and milk sauces.
You can also get a too-cute-to-eat panda kakigori, which is topped with mixed berries, yogurt, raw honey and a ‘panda’ made with savoury camembert cheese cream and chocolate eyes, ears, nose and mouth.
And, for your TikTok filming pleasure, there is also a ‘blazing fire’ kakigori with a raw honey centre layered with camembert cheese sauce and mixed nuts. The concoction is torced tableside for a toasty finish.
Black Sesame Mochi Danish
For its opening promotion from Apr 4 to 20, diners can get a free hot/cold Momo Sencha or Sakura Spring Tea with every kakigori order, as well as 15 per cent off all tarts and pastries at Drips Bakery Cafe.
The cafe itself has also launched several new offerings like a Black Sesame Mochi Danish ($5.50), savoury Okonomiyaki Danish ($5) with chicken yakitori chunks, Signature Blackforest Cake ($12.80 per slice/ $68.00 for whole 6-inch cake) and Speciality Berries Tart ($13.80 for 4-inch tart).
Drips Bakery Cafe x Sakanoue Cafe is at #01-05, 82 Tiong Poh Rd, S160082. Open daily, Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat & Sun 9am-10pm. www.drips.com.sg
Photos: Drips Bakery Cafe/ Sakanoue
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