Beat the Heat with Kakigori Ken — Denver’s Dreamiest Shaved Ice Pop-Up

Alex Schupp • July 7, 2025

If you’re in Denver this summer and looking for a refreshingly unique way to cool down, Kakigori Ken should be at the top of your list. This Japanese dessert pop-up, located at The Source Hotel, is scooping up artfully crafted shaved ice treats that go way beyond your average snow cone.

 What is Kakigori?

Kakigori is a traditional Japanese dessert that dates back centuries. Unlike American-style snow cones or slushies, kakigori is made using slow-frozen, high-density ice blocks that are finely shaved into a light, fluffy texture, more like fresh powder snow than crushed ice. Topped with house-made syrups, condensed milks, and creamy yogurts, these desserts melt in your mouth and deliver bold, seasonal flavors in every bite.


At Kakigori Ken, everything is made in-house with a focus on local and sustainable sourcing. Their dairy comes from Longmont, CO, and the fruits are sourced from local growers like Ela Family Farms in Hotchkiss, CO. They even repurpose “imperfect” fruits that would otherwise go to waste. Bonus: they’re also serving up Japanese cream puffs from local favorite Miyagi-Dough.

Summer Flavors to Try

Expect the menu to rotate throughout the season, but some highlights include:



  • Strawberry Shortcake Kakigori – layered with fresh strawberry syrup, house-made condensed milk, and a hint of vanilla
  • Matcha Milk – rich, earthy matcha paired with creamy condensed milk and fluffy shaved ice
  • Yuzu Citrus Splash – a tart and tangy flavor bomb with bright citrus notes and a zesty punch


Each dessert is as beautiful as it is delicious—definitely Instagram-worthy.

Who’s Behind It?

Kakigori Ken is the summer brainchild of Chef Kenta Kamo, the culinary genius and co-owner behind the Michelin-recommended Temaki Den. After experimenting with a kakigori machine at Temaki Den and tapping into his deep love for icy desserts, Chef Kamo launched Kakigori Ken in 2024 to bring this slice of Japanese tradition to Denver.

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Crowd’s Creative Touch

We’re proud to have partnered with both Temaki Den and Kakigori Ken to bring their websites and digital presence to life. For Kakigori Ken, our team created custom illustrations that match their fun, fresh, and modern vibe, while still honoring the dessert’s deep cultural roots. From branding to web design, we made sure the online experience felt just as delightful as their shaved ice creations.


Check out the websites we built:
 🔗 Temaki Den Website
 🔗 Kakigori Ken Website

About Us

Crowd Digital Marketing is a Denver-based team of web designers and marketing experts who partner with growing brands to tell their stories and drive results. Founded in 2017, we work primarily on the Duda platform and are proud to support incredible local businesses like Kakigori Ken and Temaki Den.



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