Spend enough time in Hang Loose’s kitschy, tropical decor, and for a second, one might forget that the shop is in the deep streets of Glendale. For shave ice purists, some combination of Hawaiian punch, vanilla, guava, Tiger’s Blood, or mai tai is a good idea. Then again, adding a few gummy bears or fluffy marshmallows on top never hurt anyone.

If Los Angeles had a trademark shave ice shop, it would be Brian’s, with locations in Venice, West LA, Tarzana, and Sherman Oaks. Can’t decide what to order? Get the rainbow, a Hawai’i classic that comes drizzled in condensed milk along with strawberry, banana, and Blue Hawaii syrup. Or, for those in a silly mood, try the “Hanabata,” which roughly translates to “booger” in Hawaiian pidgin. It’s a lime-green concoction that’s packed with Melona and pistachio syrup, paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream from Fosselman’s. 

Here’s something unexpected: seeing the words “wet lemon peel” on a mainland menu. The mouth-puckering snack — made from whole lemons and a dash of licorice — was once a staple at crack seed stores and has enjoyed a recent resurgence in the Islands. It can be found at Ululani’s in Los Feliz, a Hawai’i-based chain that has quickly become the most impressive addition to Los Angeles’s shave ice pantheon.

This family-owned Gardena restaurant takes Hawaiian pizza to the next level: 12- or 16-inch pies are named after gods and goddesses, Hawaiian royalty, and other cultural touchstones. For dessert, try one of the restaurant’s shave ices. Although the box it comes in isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing, the ice is pillowy and the syrup pours are generous, ensuring there is never a dry bite.

Carson’s Tasty Block Shave Ice & Ice Cream, a small family-owned shop, offers great Hawaiian shave ice. The secret? Check out the line of Hatsuyuki HF-500s purring in the back. One of the finest ice block shavers known to man, the green and white machine produces uniquely soft ice with a freshly fallen snow-like texture. Pair that with a medley of pure Hawaiian cane sugar syrups— like the POG, or Passion Orange Guava, which tastes like concentrated Hawaiian sun juice straight from the can — and it’s easily one of the tastiest desserts in the South Bay.