Shaved ice, cakes, and a haven to relax

Business partners from left, Jenny Xu, Liza Gao, and Richard Peng. (BEA CABRERA)

One of the best desserts in the world is now here on Saipan. Newly opened Ice Island located in Garapan serves popular Taiwanese dessert called Bao Bing or shave ice that will definitely satisfy your shave ice craving anytime.

“We opened last July 25 braving the pandemic because one of our goals is to provide a place for the community where they can sit down, relax, think, help ease burdens that the pandemic has brought while enjoying our shave ice,” Ice Island vice president Richard Peng said.

“We opened because there is not a lot of shops like this on island and establishing Ice Island is perfect for the weather of Saipan, like an all year-round summertime. Our target is the local community and currently not a lot of people have a stable job that is why our prices caters to what people can afford these days,” Peng added.

Ice Island has five shave ice flavors that will surely catch the local community’s taste. They have strawberry, taro, honey dew, mango, and yogurt as a healthy option. These items are served in a bowl with generous serving of garnishes like red beans, jelly, grape pudding, passion fruit syrup, amd many more.

Shave ice comes in small size for only $3.75 with two choices of toppings and large size for only $5.75 with three choices of toppings. Both small and large bowls are meant for two or more people to share.

“Most of our ingredients are imported but for our taro and mango shave ice, we use local ingredients to complete the dessert. Sometimes flavors may vary depending on the local fruits that are in season because we definitely want to maximize local ingredients,” Peng said.

The relaxing ambiance at Ice Island will surely make you want to stay and order for more. (BEA CABRERA)

“Our customers can manage the level of sweetness of the shave ice. They can also add toppings that they like from the choices that we have… the same goes for our pearl milk tea” Peng added.

Aside from the different flavors of shave ice, Ice Island also serves mousse cake and pastries like muffin, cream puff, and egg tart that are all homemade. “The pastries can be paired with the hot or cold coffee. They are baked fresh everyday and as much as possible we try to finish the pastries within the day that we offer buy-one, take-one after 8pm,” Peng said.

“We only make the items when we need it so everything is served fresh and we follow COVID-19 protocols such as taking temperature, getting names of customers, hand sanitizing, and social distancing,” Peng added.

The interior of Ice Island is very relaxing, spacious and gives you ease as you enter with soft music playing in the background. Parking is available in front and WiFi is available. “We want everyone to come and sit down even if you do not order, you are still welcome. With the pandemic, I believe that you can put pressure on yourself for a little while but not too long,” Peng said.

“We need a place to socialize and relax. Students can come here to study and office people can have small meetings and Ice Island is that kind of place. Future plans include hiring more local employees and more items in our menu,” Peng added.

Ice Island is located along Beach Road in Garapan. They are open from Monday to Sunday, 10:30am-9pm. For more information, call (670) 233-8822

Ice Island’s Mango Shave Ice is made from locally grown mangoes, sweetness is guaranteed natural. (BEA CABRERA)