I walked in having taken a tram to the North-West of Berlin solely to try the kakigōri here. On the way here just a few shops before I came across a great little Italian cafe selling some really good focaccia.

So even though I was already full. I ate some focaccia and stumbled into tenzan lab.

Looking at the menu, I wanted to do the classic thing I always do; over order.

Was told one portion of kakigōri would suffice (I wanted more). But made do with that plus some amazake.

Kakigōri – かき氷

The one I didn’t order.

Matcha mascarpone kakigōri – 抹茶マスカルポーネ かき氷

I’ve had quite a few variations of shaved ice in a variety of places and from cultures (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Thai, Taiwanese)

On most occasions it was machine shaved ice. Which as far as I knew was de rigueur.

It was till I’d discovered this place in my research. There was something more organic about the process. In the metaphorical and literal sense.

I was glued to the machine which hand shaved the ice as the kids in the shop. Learning and understanding more about the process thanks to the kind owner (co-owner?); enamoured me even more.

Frischer amazake (fresh amazake) – 甘酒

Traditionelles Japanisches getränk aus fermentiertem reis (traditional Japanese drink made from fermented rice)

Supposedly full of nutritional value. Intriguing.

I’d also ordered fresh water, but it was forgotten in the order.

Matcha / hōjicha kakigōri – 抹茶 / ほうじ茶 かき氷

Subtly called “Japanese tea tasting”.

Treated crystal clear ice-block (water filtered at least 5 times). Making the water extremely soft, slowing down the melting. Followed by hand shaving the ice block on the hand-cranked kakigōri machine from Tokyo.

This is key the making proper shaved ice. Combined with the homemade and organic ingredients.

Such a visible difference in all senses compared to the versions I’d tried so far.

Noticeable difference between the two flavours combined here.

My only wish was that I had time to try all the other variations. Excuse for another visit perhaps.

tenzan lab. Wörther Str. 22, 10405 Berlin, Germany