Jung Shave Ice

Jungs’ is DA BOMB!!! It is such a wonderful place for the BIGGEST serving for the LEAST moola in Da State!!! That actually is true for the UNITED STATES!!! $ 3ish for 32 ounces with triple flavors + $ 0.50 for ice cream??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Well — last year when we were there it was so. I just looked at some pictures from our last trip and realized I had to say something on Unilocal about this wonderful place.
However — a couple things to keep in mind when going. Bring cash. Park in back off the side alley — where the type writer repair shop has signs saying it is their parking area. And be prepared to wait. The same wonderful fellow (Jung) is there working alone — and he makes each shave ice with care and is not particularly hurried about making each one. What love and passion if ya ask me???
So be ready to wait a bit if you go when it is busy. Across the street is Zippys’ if ya need to mix your meal with Jungs.
Otherwise this is the place we have visited as our favorite Shave Ice joint for DECADES!!!

I’ve passed by this location many times since I was a child, but never thought of trying Jung’s Shave Ice until my boyfriend took me here to show me his favorite shave ice joint since he was a child. It’s a quaint hole in the wall run by a single man, Jung, whom my boyfriend’s family likes to refer to as Jackie Chan’s doppleganger. The inside is a bit dim and disorganized, full of random trinkets and snacks for sale that look like they’ve been sitting there for a few, if not several years, but don’t let this deter you from the awesome shave ice he serves.
I’m pretty sure this is the most affordable shave ice store in the state, and Jung is super generous with his flavor pourings. We only paid $ 4.25 for our huge XL shave ice order, complete with two flavors, ice cream, mochi balls, and condensed milk. Be ready to wait because he takes his time in ensuring that you’ll thoroughly enjoy your order. He took a good five minutes making our XL lychee and coconut flavored shave ice between scooping in our ice cream, shaving the ice down, spending 30 seconds per pour for each flavor, making sure every single ice morsel in your cup is doused with flavor (LOVE this – the absolute WORST is when you find yourself eating straight up ice with no flavor because the store skimped on your flavor pour), and also generously pouring condensed milk on top. We also ordered ours with mochi balls, which I find to be the best mochi balls I’ve gotten at any shave ice store: they’re comparatively huge, tender, gummy, and chewy with a hint of sweetness – literally mochi perfection. I also love that he serves his shave ice in sturdy styrofoam cups, easing the convenience and cleanliness of consuming your shave ice treat, unlike other places where half the battle is making sure you stuff your face with it before the flavor and ice melt out of your flimsy cone onto your cute outfit, turning your clothes and skin into a sticky mess. Would’ve given this place five stars, but I must admit that although the overall quality was great and that I’ll definitely be back, the ice quality is not as fine as elsewhere. However, the pro to this is that your treat won’t melt before you it’s scooped and swallowed into your opu!

A family friend introduced us to Jung Shave Ice when his location was just a window in a sketchy convenience store next to Sherwin-​Williams Paints on King St by the Humane Society. This is the best shave ice on the island, full stop. The ice is fine and Jung puts on just the right amount of syrup. Portions are generous and prices are low.
The shop is a trip. All kinds of things seemingly placed randomly. I’m not sure if half of the stuff is even for sale because I’ve only ever gotten shave ice. If you want shave ice, find this place. You won’t regret it.

The 2 things that I look for when eating shave ice is:
1. HOW FINE IS THE ICE SHAVED
Personally I prefer when it is very fine shaved. To me the syrups sticks better to the ice instead of just running off and then basically left with all the flavor at the bottom of the cup/​cone. I also don’t like large chunks because then you are just crunching on it instead of it melting in your mouth.
2. SYRUP
The syrup has to taste good. If it no taste good then whats the point?
That being said Jung’s nails these two things very well. The ice is finely shaved and the syrup compliments it perfectly. If we are in town looking for shave ice this is our go to spot.

«Seeing is Believing»
I first heard about this place from fellow Unilocaler, Steve, who is originally from Honolulu, but now lives in California. After reading reliable reviews from Eric Robert, John N., Gary N., Krysten I., and Nat N., I thought I should check it out… wow… ALL of them are right: this is a GREAT shave ice place!
LOCATION
On the left side of King Street, slow down and park in the small lot right after and behind the building. It’s before Times Supermarket, across from Zippy’s — the one that’s next to Washington School. Street parking is also available.
AMBIANCE
«Quirky» and «Novelty» come to mind. There are a lot of knick knacks in a cluttered arrangement. There was a table inside with about 6 chairs and a few makeshift stools. There are a few chairs outside on the covered sidewalk.
FOOD
There is a large refrigerated case full of all kinds of soft drinks. Other snack items and candy are on the menu, but the main event is the SHAVE ICE. I couldn’t believe that the medium size was only $ 1.50. My cousin had the medium with a sugar-​free syrup for 25 cents more. His azuki bean addition was 50 cents and my ice cream add-​on was 50 cents. Total bill was $ 4.25…unbelievable. I had the pineapple and mango flavors — very subtle, but satisfying! The texture was soft, fine & fluffy! YUM!
REMINDERS
Bring cash! Relax & chill! Enjoy! Repeat!

I swear, I’ve been here a few times over the past two years, and nothing has changed! Jungs takes a while to get use to, but the shave ice and prices are so good!
Located on King’s Street, (i think), it’s a bit after Zippys, on the right. The shop is cluttered, and there is one worker (Mr. Jung!) the prices are super cheap, with the end result usually being under $ 5, even if you add ice cream, snow cap, etc.
The shave ice is super similar to Waiola — soft ice, with Jungs being bit harder. Which I actually like because it doesn’t melt as fast as Waiolas (which I actually don’t like at all)
Never crazy busy! Check it out if you can :)

While the ice may not be as fine as waiolas and the shop a little hard to spot if you’re speeding down king street, Jung puts in an effort and care for crafting your perfect shave ice cone that most places simply don’t have the care to do as they herd you along in line.
If you’re in a rush, a germophobe, or want a shady place with ample seating, Jung’s probably isn’t for you. However, if you don’t mind the jumble of old-​time snacks, candies, and toys piled high in the shop (which i actually love to stare at while waiting for my cone), and want to support a small neighborhood shop, this is the perfect place on a hot summer day. Street parking isn’t too hard to find. It’s metered, though, so don’t forget some coins.
Mr. Jung is a really nice guy, quiet, but friendly and welcoming. I usually feel like people at other shave ice places just want you to hurry up, order, and get out of their faces so they can speed the line up, but I never feel unwelcome or just a source of profit, at Jung’s.

No line!!!
Great tasting shaved ice & really cheap prices!!!
Give it a try & you’ll be pleasantly surprised!!!

Pros: generous amounts of syrup and shave ice for the price.
Cons: a little on the ghetto side.
Still, this is a place to visit if you’re nearby.

«You’re gonna be surprised,» said a friend of mine. And, yes, I was.
I’ve driven past Jung’s so many times and never stopped until last week when the summer heat demanded shave ice. My friend, a Jung’s advocate, told me that I needed to pay no mind to all the «random $#!+» everywhere and just focus on the shave ice.
Sage advice, because when we walked in there, I saw that Jung was also selling a turkey fryer, a Lenovo DVD player, a panini maker, and a collection of Top Ramen items. I actually appreciate such eclecticism.
But I digress… the shave ice is ridiculously inexpensive but the flavors are on-​point! The best deal is the Sundae Bowl for $ 2.50 which just means that you can add ice cream, azuki, cherry, and other add-​ons, AND you can select three syrups. The mochi balls are hit or miss.
Seriously, do not judge a book by the cover. When you go to Jung’s, don’t focus on the random stuff everywhere, just focus on what flavors you want!

The old man from Gremlins still lives!
Grandfather Mr. Wing lives!
«Grandmaster Jung», as some regulars nickname Jung, is a dead-​ringer for «Grandfather Wing» from the classic, «Gremlins», y’know the old Asian man with the 3-​foot Fu Manchu straggly beard! Yup, that one cool handsome dude!
Jung Shave Ice is caught in a time warp! The ambiance sure reflects it! It smells old– not in a bad way, silly… like vintage smelling! It looks old too, I mean everything is old, is «Grandmaster Jung» getting «younger» as the days pass? Must be the Ancient Chinese Secret?! Or, is «Jung» Korean? Or, maybe Swiss? Yup, there once was the legendary, Carl Jung… But not sure if Carl loved Shave Ice… Maybe?
Hmm. Then again, you never know!
JUNG SHAVE ICE ROCKS!!!
Here’s why:
DA AMBIANCE:
If you say — «what ambiance?» — as you walk in… You’re a fool and should slurp down a 7 – 11 Big Gulp and let’s throw-​away the key! I just love these local mom & pop spots!
70’s vinyl chairs scattered everywhere! It’s cluttered, tiny and has that stench of Tiger Balm! Yup, my type of place! You can even watch TV with Grandmaster Jung! Cool, huh?
DA SHAVE ICE:
I counted 4 sizes; Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large. I never asked, but I think there’s a child’s size too.
The flavors are light and not overly sugary which I liked. You can also add the typical toppings; Vanilla Ice Cream, Azuki beans, Mochi, etc. The consistency of the ice is very similar to Waiola– like snow!
DA COST:
I was told that Grandmaster Jung has kept the prices the same for well over a decade! Seems like it…
Small $ 1.25, Medium $ 1.50, Large $ 2.00, Ex-​Large $ 3.00. I don’t know anyplace on the island as cheap as that! Plus, it actually tastes good!
DA JUNG:
I swear Grandmaster Jung is Grandfather Mr. Wing reincarnated! He runs his simple, but cluttered shop efficiently. He’s incredibly nice, but a man of a few words. Now if you’re familiar with Gremlins… No, I didn’t locate Gizmo or Mogwai. And no worries, Jung is a tad weird, but rest assured you won’t disappear!
On my last visit, on a hot Hawaiian day, I ordered a medium Pineapple & Haupia Shave Ice with Vanilla Ice Cream! It was light, not overly sweet, and just enough! The Ice Cream seemed a tad tight, but heck I paid only $ 2.00 for this wonderful treat!
I would definitely recommend Jung! Nope, I disagree with my friends who enthusiastically claim that Jung is the Bestest! It’s not IMHO, BUT I would be a fool to ignore the prices!
I mean a buck and change for good Shave Ice?
Jung deserves a perfect score just because! Must be the Ancient Chinese secret in the syrups that’ll keep you young! By Jung, That’s it!
Now if I can only transport Phobe Cates to be my loving wifey!!!
BIG KAHUNA TIP:
Remember this is a mom & pop shop, so hours don’t necessarily reflect the actual open times. It’s somewhere from 12p-​6p, but might be 2p-​6pish! Only Jung knows for sure, but please no whiny demanding Unilocalers… Go corporate if you complain!
OVERALL GRADE: 4.5-STARS!
LIVE ALOHA…
Unilocal REVIEW #296

After hearing about this place for a while, I finally decided to check it out a few days ago to settle a major shave ice craving. After reading the reviews I thought it would be comparable to Shimazu’s or Ailana which are my usual go to places for shave ice. Contrary to what other reviewers wrote, I did not get enough syrup and I was left with a layer of plain ice at the bottom (which is usually my gripe with Waiola’s). The ice texture wasn’t as fine as I had expected either.
Probably the best part was how cheap it was. I don’t think I’ve ever seen shave ice as cheap as this place before. The small is only $ 1.25!

I have passed by Jung Shave Ice innumerable times, and never thought to check it out. It took my kids prevailing on me to try it one hot, sunny day recently. First, I was fascinated with all the little trinkets and memorabilia in the store. Second, I like the quiet friendliness of the owner who was playing music from Taiwan.
Third, and most important in my estimation, the shave ice was, in a word, «the bomb!» I had a couple of flavors, and it didn’t taste watered down at all like another place, which will remain unnamed. Fourth, I like that the frozen treat is in a cup, so it doesn’t get all messy like it does in those little paper holders that some other places use. Fifth, the price was right, even though the quality was far and away above all other contenders in nearby neighborhoods. Jung Shave Ice, you have won a convert!

Been going to Jung’s since his old location at the top of King Street near the Humane Society (sharing space with his sister in law). Naturally followed him to his new location. Love the shave ice texture (not too soft, not too icy), price (super cheap!) and flavors (tons…)
I’d have to say though that the greatest thing is his kindness, humble demeanor, and generosity– he actually gives out DVDs of movies and other trinkets to customers during the holiday season.
A huge contrast to another very well known shave ice establishment that is super stingy, and nickel and dimes u and waters down their flavors… In general he’s just a decent, sweet, human being, and has me sold on that just as much as the shave ice!

A friend told me about this place… oh my goodness! This is by far my favorite shave ice on the island! Not only is it best, it is the cheapest that I’ve seen!
He gives a lot and the cup sizes are big. He pokes holes in the shave ice before pouring the syrup on so the syrup goes on nice and even. His syrup is really yummy too!
It’s only $ 0.25 for ice cream too! Most places charge at least $ 0.75 for ice cream with your shave ice. My only complaint is that he only allows 2 flavors, and it’s an additional $ 0.25 for additional flavors. Most places allow 3 flavors without additional charges. Even with my charge for a third flavor, it was still cheaper than any other shave ice I got!
I wish I lived in town so I could go there more often!

A hole in the wall just a two minute drive away from Waikiki Beach. Don’t be deterred by the chotchkies you encounter before you hit the back counter where the glorious shave ice machine and housemade syrups are waiting.
I thought I’d have to go without a shave ice fix while in Hawaii because most shave ice outlets flavor their ice with mass produced, corn-​syrup laden monstrosities that leave a bad taste in your mouth. Not here! Jung’s makes his syrups with cane sugar and natural flavors and his shaved ice is nice and powdery. We tried a ton of flavors and loved them all, lilikoi, passion fruit, orange, mango, raspberry, lychee, you can’t go wrong.
He’s got the art of building shave ice down to a science, it comes in a cup, not a cone, so you don’t have to worry about dribbling all over yourself and you get more for your money since the cups are quite large. He strategically poked holes in the ice so that the syrups were evenly distributed so we never had the ice but no syrup problem!
Cheap prices, large portions, housemade products, there’s no downside to getting your shave ice here!

Very good place for shave ice! Like the others have said, this place is pretty old school. I got a small shave ice for 1.25, which comes with 2 flavors. I chose strawberry and guava, and I got the condensed milk topping for .25 extra. My husband got a medium with ice cream (.50 extra), strawberry, guava, lilikoi. The lilikoi was pretty good, strawberry was too sweet, and guava was very good.
But hey, the guy’s really generous with the syrup and it’s SO cheap! The ice is fine like Matsumoto’s so that’s a thumbs up. The shave ice isn’t super spectacular or anything, but this is a great place to get your shave ice fix if you’re in the area and hankering for a cheap, sweet treat.

Jung’s Shave Ice is one of those places you probably passed by a million times going down South King Street and never noticed it. It’s very non-​descript and as a «hole-​in-​the-​wall» as you can get, but once you found it, that’s when you’re immediately teleported into a place that reminds you of your childhood. This makes sense when
you realize this is right next to two very important Hawaii landmarks: the first Times Supermarket and the first Zippy’s Restaurant.
Literally, this place is a time portal. Just look at the prices. TWO dollars for a large shave ice, are you serious? Toppings were a reasonable price too. For those who are afraid of a little mess, you would not like here, but if you can get past this, Mr Jung’s shop is a complete gem.
As I have learned, Mr Jung makes the syrup on his own, with real sugar. This is as old school as you can get. In fact, I like the syrup here so much, I’m very very torn between here and Waiola’s. Waiola’s has better ice, Jung’s has better syrup.
All you need to do is watch Mr Jung make that shaved ice right after you order it. He’ll craft the ice using his machine, poke holes with a straw and then pour the copious amount of syrup into the cup. You won’t find any bare ice spots with his shaved ice.
Cup you say? Mr Jung uses styrofoam cups in his shaved ice. This is much better than cones. Not only is it higher quality to hold the shaved ice, it keeps the shave ice cold and barely melting. Attention to this little detail is what makes me love this place.
When somebody asks: Where should I go get shaved ice?
My reply always will be: «Jung’s or Waiola’s»
If you don’t want a wait, Jung’s. If you want a touristy feel, go to Waiola’s. But you can’t say for certain you tried classic Hawaiian old school shaved ice until you try both.

Jung’s shave ice was the first time that I threw away shave ice instead of greedily finishing everything sugary morsel. That is certainly never a good sign when wanting to frequent a place. If anything it was a disappointment.
Yes, it’s cheaper than everywhere else but is it better? i would have to disagree. as someone who loves the varying degrees of sweetness that food can possess I found this just mediocre and sweeter than any other shave ice I’ve experienced. It lacked a distinctive difference in flavors. The prices and the smoothness of the ice are the redeeming features. Supposedly they don’t use corn syrup which was my main attraction to the store. You can certainly taste the difference but in the end it is overpowered by a sickly sweetness.
I doubt I will ever go back since Waiola shave ice and Frostcity are in the same district. Waiola just has an indescribable «it» quality. Frostcity has luscious shave ice that is creamier and milder in sweetness for those days when you crave something milder without a full blown sugar rush.

It was a hot summer weekend and we just wanted shave ice. We have been to several shaved ice places before, but we were still looking for the perfect shaved ice. Looking at Unilocal,we stumbled across Jung Shave Ice. We have passed by this place so many times, but never gave it a second glance because it seemed so barren. It was so hot that we decided that today was the day to try it.
According to the sign, they open from Monday through Sundays from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM including «holydays». We arrived about half an hour early and just stood outside looking at all the signs and sheets covering the glass windows. We were highly amused by the «Welcome Thanks» sign. It seemed like such a long wait so we walked over to Times to cool off in the air condition.
By the time we got back, it was 12:04 PM and the door was still closed. Unilocal said to wait for a red moped meaning that Mister Jung had arrived, but that was nowhere to be in sight either. Several minutes later, this guy smoking a cigarette seemed like he was trying to break the door down. We were kind of frightened and were about to leave, but we heard a loud hum. Out of nowhere came a red moped and a long-​haired guy (Mister Jung) riding the moped spoke in Chinese to the guy smoking the cigarette. The long-​haired guy opened the door, shuffled inside, and told us to wait as he carried plastic chairs outside. The guy smoking the cigarette followed Master Jung inside and seemed to be working there. We weren’t formally invited inside after three minutes, so we just walked in to this old school looking shop.
Mister Jung was behind the counter at this point and asked us what we wanted. Looking at all the paper signs and the sizes of the shaved ice cups, we all decided to get the small cup for $ 1.25 with ice cream for an extra 50 cents. We originally planned on sharing the extra large for $ 2.50, but the size of the extra large came in a large styrofoam cup, the size that you get from a Chinese take-​out order of soup noodles. All the sizes here came in cups with a cylindrical base, which means a larger portion size than those places that serve their shaved ice in cones.
We sat down at the table inside and then tasted the shaved iced we ordered. Mister Jung made us the finely shaved ice of Waiola’s, the flavor of Shimazu’s, and the price of Matsumoto’s. The ice cream was also so soft and tasted more like soft serve ice cream, matching wonderfully with the finely shaved ice. After we walked out, we decided to dub him Master Jung for giving us the best shaved ice we have ever had.