はいむる珈琲店 (Haimuru Coffee Shop in Musashi Koyama, Tokyo)

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はいむる珈琲店

Tomato ramen is nothing new, but it’s certainly something unique. Japanese shaved ice, called kakigori, is another uncommon treat in Tokyo. Is this a ramen shop? Is it a kakigori shop? Haimuru calls itself a coffee shop. A coffee shop serving ramen and shaved ice. I didn’t see coffee on the menu.

When I ate here on a weekday for lunch, I was the only person who ordered ramen. I was also the only man in the store. Turns out the shop is quite well known for their kakigori, and the kakigori hunters were out in droves. If you thought ramen nerds were obsessive, the world of kakigori hunters is downright manic. I know people who eat over 1000 bowls of shaved ice a year. The norm is to go to a shop like this, try two or three flavors, and then head to the next location. I don’t want to stereotype, but all the kakigori hunters I know are ladies.

Kakigori goes perfectly with hot soup. Eat a bowl of shaved ice, then balance your body’s temperature with some hot soup. Finish off with another shaved ice. Balance with hot tea.

I’m not quite at that level. Give me some ramen for lunch with shaved ice for dessert. Sounds reasonable. The soup at Haimuru is made with a blend of chicken and 和だし Japanese broth. It’s subtle and refreshing.

They had seven versions of the soup, like ume shiso with pickled plum or shellfish, but I went with the double cheese tomato. The cheese was unnecessary, but the tomato was a great addition. Full of crisp umami flavors, it felt healthy.

Then there was the dessert, the kakigori. Shops like this always have a selection of flavors. Choices like strawberry milk, raspberry yogurt, and Hiroshima lemon.

I went with the strawberry sparkling espuma. I’ve had my fair share of kakigori (probably around 100 a year) and I’d never seen a sparkling style before. It was something like a fruity champagne cocktail. All layered over a cloud of perfectly shaved ice. Heavenly.

Japanese shaved ice is much different than the kinds of crushed ice snowcones I grew up with. The toppings are usually very fresh and seasonal fruits. Subtly sweet, without the sugary sting of artificial syrups. Visually I think they are art. Instagram loves kakigori.

There are a few other shops in Tokyo that do kakigori and ramen. It’s a combo I’d like to see more of.

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