From the newly-opened Unique Dessert Labo “Mel Pot”; a stall that had recently opened its doors at Hokkaido Marche within Don Don Donki Orchard Central replacing now-defunct Hokkaido Buta Don.

Serving up a variety of desserts and beverages, the Espuma Shaved Ice is intended to replicate the Japanese Kakigori experience; a short-lived trend that had hit Singapore some time back where establishments such as Matchaya and now-defunct Kori King used to have it on the menu. Digging into the dessert, we felt that the Espuma was smooth and creamy, though a a tad too sweet for our liking especially at parts which lack Houjicha powder; which was probably the only element that helped to strike a balance with the sweetness by providing a distinctly bitter and roasty tea aroma. The ice inside was a tad bland however; drizzled with Kuromitsu, the flavours felt like it was not punchy enough — almost akin to that of a “weak” Chendol, while the shaved ice felt almost similar to that of local desserts being slightly coarse and fell short of that lightness that Matchaya’s Kakigori used to have (which uses Japanese Spring Water). Would say this does serve as a decent dessert to the masses who aren’t too picky with their food and have not tried a proper Kakigori before, though probably this is the same reason why it carries the names “Espuma Shaved Ice” rather than “Kakigori” ...