Year by year, it feels like summers are getting hotter and lasting longer. During this season, when the blazing sun drains our energy, our bodies inevitably feel heavy.
In such times, isn't it perfect to cool down with kakigori (shaved ice) and regain our energy?
Every summer, the author finds more opportunities to eat kakigori, and recently received information about a unique flavor. It is said to use tomato and egg sauce.
I have eaten various types of kakigori before, but this is the first time I have heard of such a new type. Curious about it, I took my beloved dog and went to Patisserie Le Vert to try it out.
Local Production for Local Consumption, Healthy Concept
Patisserie Le Vert, which offers unique kakigori, is located in Hiroe, Kurashiki City. The shop not only plans and manages markets but also frequently participates in them.
Kakigori is offered at their physical store in Hiroe and at events. This time, I visited the store.
There are two tables inside, and on days when kakigori is served, the shop is open to dogs.
Just like humans, dogs also lose energy in the heat, so being able to bring them inside is truly appreciated by dog lovers.
Sweets Using Local Ingredients
Patisserie Le Vert is based on the concept of local production for local consumption and health, creating sweets using local vegetables. For example, in the past, they offered a cheese tart made with Senryo eggplant from Okayama Prefecture.
The shop excels at turning even unexpected vegetables into delicious sweets. Of course, they also have a wide variety of sweets that do not use vegetables.
Planning and Managing Markets
Patisserie Le Vert not only runs a sweets shop but also plans and manages markets. For market information, check the shop's Instagram.
As of September 2025, they are managing three markets.
- Magari
Held by borrowing space from other shops - Moegi no Ichi
Held at an outdoor facility. They also collaborate with other markets - Midori no Ichi
Held at the physical store of Patisserie Le Vert
They may also participate in markets organized by other groups.
Unique Kakigori from a Western Confectionery Shop
The kakigori at Patisserie Le Vert, like their sweets, is based on the concept of local production for local consumption and health. Under this concept, flavors that are not found in other shops have been created.
▼ Menu as of September 2025
| Menu Item | Price (including tax) |
|---|---|
| Strawberry | 600 yen |
| Uji Kintoki | 650 yen |
| Tomato | 600 yen |
| Plum | 600 yen |
| Black Sugar Kinako | 650 yen |
| English Breakfast Tea | 600 yen |
| White Peach | 800 yen |
| Burnt Hojicha Kintoki | 650 yen |
| Hoshi no Sato Tamago Sauce *Only sold at Egg Market | 700 yen |
| Condensed Milk | 50 yen |
There are unique flavors like tomato and English breakfast tea that are rarely seen in other shops, at least for me. It seems there was also a red shiso flavor in the past, but it quickly sold out due to its popularity.
While classic flavors like strawberry and Uji Kintoki are also available, they seem to be positioned as additions after the unique flavors.
Now, let me introduce the kakigori that I actually ate.
Tomato
I was surprised by the unexpected combination of tomato and kakigori.
Having eaten various kakigori before, this was my first encounter with a tomato flavor.
The tomato sauce uses Momotaro tomatoes from Kamogata, Asakuchi City. It is said to be pesticide-free.
The tomato sauce, made by simmering for about an hour, has a slight thickness. Until I tasted it, I had no idea what it would taste like, but it pleasantly surprised me.
Rather than a flavor that intensifies the taste of tomato, it was sweet like a fruit.
The flavor is concentrated like dried fruit, and the sweetness is enhanced. After the rich sweetness, there is a hint of tomato acidity.
I was reminded, "Oh right, it was tomato-flavored."
It was a flavor packed with unexpectedness and summer freshness that rushed through my body.
Black Sugar Kinako
There are also classic flavors of kakigori.
One of them is "Black Sugar Kinako." It is the recommended flavor of the shop owner, Kataoka, who is particular about the ingredients.
They make the sauce using Kyoto kinako made from Hokkaido soybeans and black sugar from Okinawa.
The recommended way to eat it, according to Kataoka, is to pour condensed milk over the beautifully harmonized sauce made from ingredients from both the east and west of Japan and mix everything together.
The gentle sweetness of black sugar, the nuttiness of kinako, and the creamy smoothness of condensed milk all harmonize exquisitely. This Japanese-style flavor is truly comforting.
It was a taste that I wanted to eat every day.
Star Village Egg Sauce
Although it is not sold in the store, the "Star Village Egg Sauce" will also be introduced at the EGG MARCHE hosted by Sakamoto Egg and at the direct sales locations of Sakamoto Egg in Bisei and Mizushima.
It was specially made for the store. The sauce uses Sakamoto Egg's eggs. Like tomatoes, I can't hide my surprise at the combination of eggs and shaved ice.
It feels close to a milkshake. Since it has caramel on it, it’s like pudding.
It is also recommended to mix it before eating, and I did just that.
When the lighter sauce mixed with the shaved ice, it indeed resembled a milkshake. The flavor was milder than a milkshake, and the slightly bitter caramel sauce might appeal to adults.
It was a shaved ice that was delicious even when melted.
Dog Shaved Ice
Since I brought my beloved dog, I received shaved ice for dogs. If you bring a container, the dog version is free. Even if you forget, they can provide one.
There is no seasoning, just shaved ice, so it is safe to give to dogs. Since dogs also get hot, they can cool off together.
Patisserie Le Vert offers shaved ice with a concept of local production for local consumption and health. I spoke with the owner, Kataoka Yoshiharu.
Data of Patisserie Le Vert
| Name | Patisserie Le Vert |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-12-50 Hiroe, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 090-4102-8931 |
| Parking | Available 6 cars |
| Business Hours | For store business days and event participation days, please refer to Patisserie Le Vert's Instagram |
| Regular Holidays | Irregular holidays |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Website | Patisserie Le Vert (Instagram) |
When you mix everything together, it creates an indescribable flavor that becomes addictive.