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UPDATED: Where to Eat Shaved Ice, Italian Ice, & Snow Cones

Stay cool, Bay Area.

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Shaved ice, snow cones, and Italian ice are ubiquitous summer treats in much of the country (and around the globe), but they can be harder to find in San Francisco, where it seems like an ice-cream cabal has convened to knock out all other icy treats. Nonetheless, we persevered to find you 10 spots to cool off on those rare hot summer days, and taste your way through everything from Korean bingsoo to Mexican raspados to Baltimore-style snowballs. Here's where to score some icy treats for a cool summer.

We know this isn't a comprehensive list—this stuff is hard to find in these parts. Got any suggestions? Leave a comment and we'll add 'em.

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Skylite Snowballs

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Baltimore-style snowballs are the focus at this adorable roving truck (follow them on Twitter), which makes a wide variety of syrups (including cardamom vanilla, Meyer lemon ginger, pomegranate, and Tcho chocolate). Top off your snowball with housemade marshmallow cream or chocolate syrup.

Bambu Desserts & Drinks - SF

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This California chain's Vietnamese-style ché, layered cups of shaved ice and toppings, are filled with goodies like coconut, pandan jelly, longan, basil seed, red bean, lychee, and avocado. Though they come with straws, you'll probably need a spoon to do some digging. They also do bubble tea and fruit smoothies.

Japonica

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This cute cafe and gift shop offers Hawaiian-style shaved ice, which is probably the closest to most Americans' childhood memories of Sno-Cones (it's basically just ice and flavored syrup). It's definitely one of the prettiest places you'll ever snack on shaved ice.

100% Sweet Cafe

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Taiwanese-style snow ice is the big draw at this Outer Richmond cafe, in flavors like mango, strawberry, and green tea. Traditional toppings include red bean, aloe vera, and lychee. They also have crepes and ice cream for those who aren't feeling the shaved ice.

Joy's Place

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Sample Korean-style bingsoo at this newish Tenderloin cafe, where topping options include red beans, condensed milk, mochi, sliced almonds, and even ice cream.

Merigan Sub Shop

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Nostalgic East Coasters will want to head to Merigan for a chicken parm sub and an Italian ice. Liza Shaw always has lemon and almond options, as well as a seasonally rotating flavor.

Namu Gaji

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Namu Gaji offers 5-7 seasonally rotating flavors of shaved ice, like strawberry, Four Barrel coffee, and kumquat. Choose from a pre-mixed sundae combo like chocolate-coconut with brownies, strawberries, and coconut, or DIY it with toppings like condensed milk and ginger crunch.

Pizzeria Delfina

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Pizzeria Delfina makes its own Italian ices on-premises at the Mission location only (the others do gelato, probably because they aren't in direct competition with Bi-Rite Creamery). Enjoy your choice of chocolate, lemon, or cherry.

Nieves de Cinco de Mayo

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Unfortunately, their location in the Mission Market was lost in the fire that destroyed several homes and businesses. However, they're back, offering raspado, or Mexican shaved ice, in flavors like mango with chili powder, strawberry-lime, or guava. The Latino ice-creamery is an extension of a popular mini-chain in San Jose and Oakland.

Vampire Penguin

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This newly opened chain is based out of Sacramento, where guests have gone wild for its fluffy, Taiwanese-style shaved ice. Check out a plethora of flavors like mango, green tea and taro, and top them with all kinds of syrups, fruits and candies. The strawberry cheesecake is an especially popular option.

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Skylite Snowballs

Baltimore-style snowballs are the focus at this adorable roving truck (follow them on Twitter), which makes a wide variety of syrups (including cardamom vanilla, Meyer lemon ginger, pomegranate, and Tcho chocolate). Top off your snowball with housemade marshmallow cream or chocolate syrup.

Bambu Desserts & Drinks - SF

This California chain's Vietnamese-style ché, layered cups of shaved ice and toppings, are filled with goodies like coconut, pandan jelly, longan, basil seed, red bean, lychee, and avocado. Though they come with straws, you'll probably need a spoon to do some digging. They also do bubble tea and fruit smoothies.

Japonica

This cute cafe and gift shop offers Hawaiian-style shaved ice, which is probably the closest to most Americans' childhood memories of Sno-Cones (it's basically just ice and flavored syrup). It's definitely one of the prettiest places you'll ever snack on shaved ice.

100% Sweet Cafe

Taiwanese-style snow ice is the big draw at this Outer Richmond cafe, in flavors like mango, strawberry, and green tea. Traditional toppings include red bean, aloe vera, and lychee. They also have crepes and ice cream for those who aren't feeling the shaved ice.

Joy's Place

Sample Korean-style bingsoo at this newish Tenderloin cafe, where topping options include red beans, condensed milk, mochi, sliced almonds, and even ice cream.

Merigan Sub Shop

Nostalgic East Coasters will want to head to Merigan for a chicken parm sub and an Italian ice. Liza Shaw always has lemon and almond options, as well as a seasonally rotating flavor.

Namu Gaji

Namu Gaji offers 5-7 seasonally rotating flavors of shaved ice, like strawberry, Four Barrel coffee, and kumquat. Choose from a pre-mixed sundae combo like chocolate-coconut with brownies, strawberries, and coconut, or DIY it with toppings like condensed milk and ginger crunch.

Pizzeria Delfina

Pizzeria Delfina makes its own Italian ices on-premises at the Mission location only (the others do gelato, probably because they aren't in direct competition with Bi-Rite Creamery). Enjoy your choice of chocolate, lemon, or cherry.

Nieves de Cinco de Mayo

Unfortunately, their location in the Mission Market was lost in the fire that destroyed several homes and businesses. However, they're back, offering raspado, or Mexican shaved ice, in flavors like mango with chili powder, strawberry-lime, or guava. The Latino ice-creamery is an extension of a popular mini-chain in San Jose and Oakland.

Vampire Penguin

This newly opened chain is based out of Sacramento, where guests have gone wild for its fluffy, Taiwanese-style shaved ice. Check out a plethora of flavors like mango, green tea and taro, and top them with all kinds of syrups, fruits and candies. The strawberry cheesecake is an especially popular option.

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