Badabingsu — Restaurant in Oʻahu

Hands down THE best thing I ate during my Hawaii trip - still can taste the amazing flavors of the shaved snow from Badabingsu. Saw this place pop up in Yelp when I was looking for dessert places. When I was strolling through the different food stands in Kahuku, I was pleasantly surprised that Badabingsu was also there!

If you're a fan of shaved snow, you MUST give this place a try. It's a super small shack with only 1-2 people working the counter and making orders, so be prepared for a wait. I came in the afternoon around 1-2 and had to wait in line before my order was taken. They make the desserts in order, so I probably waited a good 45 minutes before they finally got to mine.

The flavors that the offer - mango, melon, strawberry, chocolate, and pineapple - all looked amazing, but I knew I wanted to try the mango. Fresh mango fresh from the island? Yes please! Definitely made the right choice. Each one was $9, which I feel like is justified.

Got a pretty large cup with shaved snow, mango syrup, and lots and lots of juicy, ripe, and fresh mango pieces. Probably could have finished this whole dessert on my own, but I split it with several other girls. Not only did it look amazing, but every bite tasted just as good. Smooth, soft, silky, light - everything you could imagine. Loved the sweetness of the mango pieces. Definitely a dessert I still...

If you ever find yourself on O‘ahu, do not miss Badabingsu — it’s one of the most delightful dessert spots I’ve ever visited. From the moment you arrive, the vibe is fun, fresh, and irresistibly comforting. The shaved ice here is something magical: it’s so fine and light, almost like snow, yet rich with creamy texture thanks to milk-based syrup and that perfect melt-in-your-mouth quality. What really seals the deal is how fresh the fruit is. Whether you go with mango, strawberry, or something more seasonal, each bite bursts with flavor — never over-syrup’ed, never soggy. The portion sizes are generous (great for sharing or indulging), and the care they put into each order shows — you can tell the staff aren’t just going through the motions. They genuinely try to make every bowl perfect. The ambiance, though simple, is cozy and cheerful. Whether you're grabbing a sweet treat to beat the heat, or winding down after a day of exploring, Badabingsu makes you feel like your dessert matters. Highly recommend — this place is a gem. If I could give more than 5...

An honest review: If you’re thinking about trying this ice cream, you should know these tips before going.

Be here early Since there is only one person working at the stall, the wait time will be from 20 minutes to 1 hour depending on when the order was placed.

Don’t be alarmed if the window is closed Usually, the person operating will open or close the sliding door depending on how many orders arrive. If it is closed during operating hours, just wait unless said otherwise.

The ice cream itself is great for its price. We decided to get the mango and chocolate ice cream, and both were great. For the mango, there were a lot of cubed alphonso mango pieces, and the chocolate had crushed oreos. The base is a creamy vanilla that tastes like sweet milk.

Overall the ice cream is pretty good for the price, but the wait is a...