Korean restaurants have a reputation for not serving dessert, so if you happen to be dining in the “Koreamoku” vicinity and need a bit of post-meal refreshment, just walk over to Cafe Cooland.
It’s a veritable wonderland for all things cool.
Got shave ice? Check.
Ice cream? Check. Hawaii’s own Dave’s, no less.
Halo halo? Check.
Smoothies? Check.
There’s even Cooland snow, the light, airy Taiwan-style shave ice, in flavors of strawberry, chocolate, green tea, milk, mango and taro, for $4.25. It’s $6 with your choice of three toppings from a list that includes condensed milk, caramel syrup, li hing powder, pineapple jelly and more.
In keeping with this week’s Korean theme, you might want to try the Korean shave ice dish bingsoo ($5.75), with its base layer of ice, topped with your choice of five flavors — coffee, azuki beans, matcha green tea, chocolate syrup or haupia sauce — plus condensed milk and a swirl of soft-serve vanilla ice cream.
Both the matcha bingsoo and taro snow were light in texture and not too sweet, providing the perfect finale for a meal heavy on meat.
Cooland is at 815 Keeaumoku St. (across from HMSA), open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. Visit www.cafecooland.com to view the full menu.
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