highlights: - amazing shaved ice, light and fluffy - the syrup and custard in the shaved ice is amazing - the fruits are fresh - the employees are also so friendly!! cons: - the lines can be very long so beware!! - there is not a lot of seating but the seats there are cute and intimate overall: I would most defo visit again! I always come here when i'm in SD, love it so much read more

Ko-Li Bar - mango, chocolate, and strawberry shaved ice cream - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

I've been Ko-Li Bar a couple times, each time after dinner and this place gets pretty busy. Very small parking lot but thankfully I've gotten lucky with snagging the last spot available so make sure to account time for this. Vibes: Japanese style decorations and set up. It really feels like going to a shave ice place in Japan. There are maybe about 8 tables inside that can fit between 2-4 people. There are also a couple of seats by the register. Each table has a unique decoration. Service: There's both a digital and paper menu and then you order up front. Both times, I have waited about 20-30 minutes. It's quite a long wait for 1 shave ice but when you get your order, you can see why it takes that long since they put some detail in it. Food: I believe they change their menu, not sure how often. Both times I ordered from their specials menu and they were so delicious, the ice was soft, and their toppings complemented each other well. One shave ice is enough for 2 people, especially after dinner. Highly recommend Ko-Li for a different kind of sweet treat! read more

Ko-Li Bar - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

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Absolutely scrumptious first time kakigori experience at Ko-Li bar. Parking was easy on a weekday late afternoon, and the atmosphere inside definitely reminded me of places I visited in Tokyo. Since I was dining solo, I didn't want to order one of the cute but large kakigori bowl options, so I chose the Go To chocolate shaved ice parfait. The kakigori was so fluffy yet still cold with a sweet but not overwhelming chocolate flavor that paired impeccably with the creamy whip topping. Half way through the dessert, my spoon stumbled upon the corn flake and vanilla ice cream layer, which was a delightful textural and flavor boost surprise. The final act is at the bottom where tart raspberry bits and macerated blueberry add another delicious component that left me ever so satisfied. Can't wait to come back with a group and try some of the larger, super kawaii creations. read more

Ko-Li Bar - Chocolate Go To cup - sooo delicious, perfect for one - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

We decided on a whim to check this place out. Parking sucks. We parked on the street and made sure there were no signs indicating not to park there. I think it would be great if they had their own dedicated parking lot. Inside is small and cozy. You can order from the kiosk or from the counter. We ordered a strawberry bear shaved ice and banana strawberry chocolate parfait. Both desserts were refreshing and delectable. I liked that they had ice cream and strawberry syrup within the shaved ice. They also provide you with an extra cup of syrup to add on. I liked the parfait although it could use more bananas. It wasn't overly rich or sweet. The staff was helpful and kind. read more

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We were here on a weekday. It was pretty busy. The place is very cute with a Japanese vibe, like you are in Japan. There is a kiosk for you to order. You can also order at the counter. I ordered the strawberry bear shaved ice, and my boyfriend ordered a banana strawberry chocolate parfait. Both of the desserts were very cute! They give you extra strawberry sauce on the side to add to the shaved ice. The shaved ice is so creamy. The inside has vanilla ice cream and some strawberry sauce. My bf likes his parfait. The staff was nice and friendly. The parking outside sucks; we had to park on a side street. If you are in the area, it is definitely worth trying. read more

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Fun casual dessert spot, perfect for a post dinner date night. The service is a touch pad and our order came out fast. Delicious flavors, good quality matcha, not too too sweet. We will be back! read more

Ko-Li Bar - Matcha shaved ice - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

It was hot this wkend and we wanted something chill~ and so we bumped into this lil ol shack **Food Amazake Peach Shaved Ice $15 (They do have the choice of non-dairy for the condensed milk but for an extra $2) It was so soft and airy! The ice just melts in your mouth with the vanilla ice cream! **People They have ppl up front but they're usually working on orders so it'll be a lot easier for them to order on the kiosk. They do answer questions! **Vibes I love the lil shack vibes that the place gives but it is pretty small and unable to fit large parties or groups **Overall I would def come back esp on a hot day :) it is on the smaller side making it hard to find seating if there are too many ppl and ppl aren't leaving after finishing their desserts read more

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A cute Japanese shaved ice spot in convoy! I tried the strawberry bear shaved ice, and I loved the creamy texture of the ice, as well as the fact that you could adjust the sweetness to your liking since the strawberry syrup came on the side. It's a little on the pricey side, but it's hard to find this type of creamy shaved ice, and the adorable presentation makes it worth it! The interior is pretty small, and it was hard to find indoor seating on a Saturday evening. However there are also tables outside! It was also pretty busy, so our shaved ice took around 15 minutes to come out. read more

Ko-Li Bar - Strawberry bear shaved ice - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

My first visit at Ko-Li was amazing! This adorable and cozy store literally served the best Shaved Ice that I had in 2026 (but we are only 3 months in the year so far, yes, i know!) When I enter the store, it truly made me feels like I got transport to Japan. Their Japanese aesthetic vibe and decoration is truly unique, my favorite is the resin art table. Our party of 3 ordered the Strawberry Bear (honestly it look like a dog more than a bear), Kawaii Cup (Peach), and Black Sesame Banana Latte to share. Just as advertise, their snow ice is on another level, I'm completely sold after having the first bite of their premium ice that imported from Japan. The shave ice texture was ultra-fine, smooth, fluffy and completely melted in your mouth while still leaving the cool, refreshing feeling on your tongue after each bite, this would be the perfect dessert on a hot summer day. Flavor wise, I really like the Kawaii Cup with peach flavor, it was fragrant and came with some topping likes jelly and fruit pieces in the middle, meanwhile the top was decorated cutely with a bear that made from whipping cream and ear biscuit, perfect for individual serving or on-the-go. The Strawberry Bear was definitely for share, it have vanilla ice cream in the middle and a few other toppings, I like it, but it was pretty messy to eat in my opinion lol. The Black Sesame Banana Latte is really good as well, I took a sip from my friend and the smell and taste of Black Sesame was so nice, I'm not even a fan of sesame but I really enjoy it. Staffs were super cute and friendly during my visit, it was 2 girls in the kitchen and I can tell they really enjoy working here and the vibes they created make me feel so welcome. They even recommend me to go to the Sakura Festival (?) but my visit at San Diego is quite short, maybe next time!!! I really hope I can comeback during their Melon/Cantaloupe season and try their limited-time shave ice in the future!! Totally recommend everybody to give Ko-Li Bar a try ;) read more

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This was our first visit to Ko-Li and our became our favorite on bite number one! The shop is adorable looks like it could've been a Japanese restaurant for sure! Staff was super friendly! The tall young lady was so bubbly and enthusiastic and was truthful about the menu. I appreciated it!! We chose the strawberry kakigori. The strawberry sauce is house made and is absolutely delicious. Tastes like there's 5 strawberries in one bite, so wonderful. The snow below is so light and tastes like there's cream in it! It is different than a Hawaiian shave ice and far from an American snow cone, it is crafted in a way that makes you wonder, how can they get this product so light, fluffy and tasty all at once. Whatever they do, it's a gift to everyone who experiences it! I highly recommend this to anyone who loves cold treats. I wish Ko-Li was closer to my home! read more

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I took my mom here after eating at PHO NOM! We were craving for something cold and sweet so I thought about KOLI BAR! Japanese Shaved ice let's go... PEACH FLAVORED: 9/10 I have to say that I actually like the mango flavored shaved ice more but, this one wasn't too bad either. It has a nice thick texture of peach syrup and when you reach the bottom there was a nice scoop of Vanilla ice cream waiting for you... SERVICE: EXCELLENT A+ service! There was one hardworking gentlemen there and he was very helpful and explained how to place our orders... AMBIANCE: We felt like we were in JAPAN ROCK ON KO-LI BAR!!!! Me and my mom has a great time!! read more

Ko-Li Bar - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

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Work of art! Super friendly and very patient as I tried to decide. So many delicious desserts to choose from. Very refreshing on a warm spring day. Will come back to try more flavors! read more

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Parking can be limited here, as is the usual in this area. The place is super cute, I love the Japanese inspired architecture inside. The seating spaces are cozy and can accommodate quite a few people. The staff was super nice. The drinks were delicious and perfectly made. Would definitely come back. read more

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I came here and I was honestly kind of full but had to try this. I am not in the area a ton so I didn't want to miss the opportunity. I got a peach shaved Ice. It was pretty big. I could have shared it with someone. I could not finish it. It was good. I liked the decor. The service was friendly. You order on a screen. It seemed to be fairly busy inside as well. read more

Ko-Li Bar - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

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Service is really slow (I had a 40 minute wait for a strawberry bear shaved ice), but the shaved ice came with plenty of syrup inside and on the side to pour on top! It's a small location, with a cozy ambiance. read more

Ko-Li Bar - Strawberry bear shaved ice cream - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

I was next door, getting me a burger and when I departed I noticed this fine establishment. Ice, from Japan? Anyway, great taste and price point. Terrible parking and super friendly staff. Cozy indoor seating. Would return. read more

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Nice and cute selection of shaved ices! Great Gasho Milky Mochi was great to share. Black sesame banana latte sounded great and the bruleed banana was yummy. Hahaha- it turns out that I don't care for black sesame flavor!!! Service was slow. read more

Ko-Li Bar - Gasho Milky mocha - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

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Date of Visit: 1.1.2026 Cuisine Type: Cafe Vibe: Like going to a cafe in japan Cost: ~$15-17 depending on what you get Upon entering the door, you feel like you have actually gone to Japan. It has cute tables and that tiny space feel that you get when traveling in japan and happening upon a hole in the wall shop What I Ordered & How It Was: Snow man Calpico Yuzu Kakigori -4/5- Two tiered shaved ice with calpico yuzu (more calpico than yuzu) with a chocolate vanilla ice cream inside the base layer (tons of other stuff too). It is huge and should be shared. Atmosphere: mahogany, izakaya vibes Service: Quick mm they only had 1 staff Ambiance: Homey cafe, little parking, easy to miss turn Overall Thoughts: Best thing I ate: I had only 1 thing Something to improve: This needs more yuzu there are parts of the kakigori that tastes just like ice. read more

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The banana one was good but the dairy free mango shaved ice kinda tasted like artificial mango flavoring. Wished it was more fresh mango taste. read more

Ko-Li Bar - Dairy free mango shaved ice kinda - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

1st visit and went on a weekday. Pros: - Interesting flavors of shaved ice I've never had before! We ordered milky cantaloupe because I'm a sucker for cute food. They have rotating flavors it looks like because the one we got was ending that day. - Self-serve kiosk which is nice because I can read the description of each item. - Minimal wait, but we did go on a weekday. - Japanese vibe inside. Cons: - Parking might be difficult if the place gets packed. read more

Ko-Li Bar - IG @devouredwithlove - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

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cute shaved ice! i like the plain milk flavor of the shaved snow. i hardly used the strawberry sauce. theres also vanilla ice cream inside. Its a little hard to eat at first bc the sides start to avalanche but we definitely tried to not make too much of a mess. its a light, refreshing treat! mainly self service. you order at the kiosk and theyll call out your number when ready. extra paper bowls, utensils, napkins, etc are there for grabs. seating is a little difficult. you have to have good timing bc this place was full of people at 6pm and i thought it was early! read more

Ko-Li Bar - strawberry bear - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

Ko-Li Bar in Kearny Mesa off of Convoy is a must experience if you have never had Japanese Shaved Ice before. I have never had authentic shaved ice before, I've only apparently had icee's in the past. Very small venue with decorative 3d table tops to visually enjoy. Parking spaces are limited so I can imagine parking can be challenging depending when you go. Customer service was amazing! The artistry of the shaved ice is at another level! We had: Peach Strawberry read more

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Every time I visit San Diego, I always stopped by this place because their shaved ice is top notch. I love Japanese style shave ice specially (Kakigori), which is harder to find compared to other shave ice types. The ice is imported from Japan. And I don't know what it is but the ice itself is just so refreshing! Even after I eat this giant shave ice cup it doesn't make me feel bloated like other desserts. The Peach flavor is my favorite, perfect flavor of peach with the refreshing shaved ice with real peach outside and inside the ice. It is a little cold inside the place so bring a jacket! read more

Ko-Li Bar - Amazing Peach - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

Theres always room for dessert! If you never had shaved ice, then heres your chance. I've had hawaiian shaved ice many many times but never japanese shaved ice. Its very similar with the smooth and soft ice that is flavored with syrupy sweets. Also. They do deck it out here with toppings like fresh fruits, chocolate sticks and more which is always good. if you have a sweet tooth like me, then this is a can't miss spot. read more

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Love the decor and ambiance. Small tables and counters sectioned off, Japanese village roof decor, it was great. Their specials board was also very prominent and easy to figure out. You order at the kiosk screen, wait for your number to be called, and sit at whatever table or counter suits your fancy. I would recommend sharing because portion sizes are big. For two of us, we got the non dairy mango shaved ice. It was nice that they had a decent selection of non dairy options and we definitely felt ok and did not get sick from this! The shaved ice was a bit inconsistent in texture. The mango syrup was pretty evenly and well distributed, both sweet and tart at the same time. While the portion size is large, it's light but also a bit pricey. Not a bad option for a light dessert. read more

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Wish I had one near me! They have the softest shaved ice desserts I've ever had. I got the mango shaved and it was a dream. The strawberry one is delicious too! Loved the Japanese-inspired decor, and the staff were really helpful. You order from a screen, they offer custom toppings like cereal and mochi, and they call when it's ready. Their parking lot is a bit small, but we didn't have any problem finding a spot when we visited over the weekend. read more

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Such a cute little dessert place! I've been here a few times and tried different items. My favorite so far is the oat milk black sesame banana latte! I wish I could've savored it a little longer but I finished it so quick! It was that yummy. read more

Ko-Li Bar - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

My desert was extreme delicious the texture was perfect and the little fruits were good. The peach was sweet but nice and airy so if you don't want a treat that's too sweet you don't have to worry. The match flavor was also very good and the fruit and texture really balanced out the strong matcha flavor read more

Ko-Li Bar - Peach - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

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Came on a Tuesday night after dinner and this place was surprisingly empty. They have a decent amount of seating which makes it a great hang out spot. Their Momo peach one looked sooo good but sadly I'm allergic to peach so we got the Strawberry Bear. The ingredients listed are super simple - just strawberry syrup and milk - so I was a bit worried I wouldn't like it. But I'm happy to report it was very good and I would definitely go back again!! read more

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Cute Japanese shaved ice dessert serving innovative design iced dessert with cool old Japanese seating areas. Ordered and pay from kiosk, got the order number and find a table to start the chit chat. Pick it up at the counter with all utensils and voila enjoy and satisfy your sweet taste buds. Parking is very small but you can park along the street outside. Wait a little bit since only one young lady doing all things. Ice imported from Kanazawa Japan. Cost is about average but experience is really nice. Tiramisu bear is the signature bowl. Be careful to dig in since it will fall apart messy. read more

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Matcha kakegori, huge, flavorful and satisfying. The mochi was super soft, the matcha was pretty decent, not much bitterness. There was also a layer of strawberry cream on the inside, so the flavors just keep on coming. Yum! Fast service, order was ready within a few minutes. Music was sometimes english pop and sometimes japanese. Booths were spacious with wall and table decor that makes me think of Summer in Japan. Cute location for date night dessert! Location a bit hard to get to, it's east to miss the turn at the nearby Starbucks. We did have to find parking on the street next to all the construction. read more

Ko-Li Bar - Matcha kakigori - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

We came in close to 8 pm on a Saturday night and were able to order right away. There were plenty of seats when we arrived but it was full when we left. We got two of the polar bears, a match and a seasonal watermelon. Everything was very good. Overall it was kind of expensive which is why it didn't earn 5 stars. read more

Ko-Li Bar - Shirokuma - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place is always so busy and so good! Japanese shaved iced with refreshing and balanced toppings. Enough to share for 2. It's pretty small, but seating is available inside and outside. The tables clear out pretty quickly. The team here is also very nice. I left my purse and they found and held it safely for me to pick up the next day. Thank you! read more

Ko-Li Bar - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

Came here as a second stop on a food crawl in San Diego with my friends. Coming from brunch, we had planned for some shaved ice. Koli Bar shares space with Yakyudori, on the corner of Raytheon Rd and Convoy Street. It's a very small space but it's so cozy and decorated like a food stall mixed with a izakaya bar vibe. Screen windows and vividly decorated chalk boards with menu items lined across the counter to order. There is a restroom for use through Yakyudori's business with a sign indicating so. Koli Bar specializes in kakigori, unique shaved ice desserts. Similar to Korean shaved ice and Hawaiian shaved ice, this kakigori was just as if not softer and fluffier than those. We decided to grab both the mango and strawberry kakigori. You can order via the console or one of the staff behind the counter. This was so pleasantly refreshing and the fruit purees were so bright and so full of flavor. Strawberry tasted like fresh strawberry, and the ripe sweet mango puree was delicious. We had ordered a side of mochi which for $1 seemed a bit over priced as it came with two small pieces. The quality was still fantastic. Would love to try this place again and the other fabulous dessert options read more

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This was a nice treat for my family on a warm night. Refreshing enough but not too heavy. We came during Mother's Day and they ran out of their special by the time we arrived. Sorry that I can't remember exactly what we all got but I liked the one I chose because of the cute design. The design and decor gives you a quaint traditional Japanese atmosphere which was pleasing and relaxing. This is one of my shorter reviews that I'll update on my next visit. read more

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Amazing place for Japanese shaved ice and parfaits. The shaved ice was enough for all 3 of us to share. The presentation was absolutely beautiful and the bear on the parfait was adorable. We definitely want to go back to try the other flavors. read more

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This is a cute little dessert place. There's about 6 tables for seating inside. They share a bathroom with the restaurant next door. The workers were very nice and informative. We got the Japanese shaved ice, the strawberry bear one was the cutest, but the mango was the tastiest. This shaved ice is the finely shaved: silky, smooth, and soft. Different from the icee type. There's also a scoop of ice cream which makes it sweeter and creamier. Quite a bit steep in price, but that's what eating out entails. Cute place to come and enjoy some shaved ice. read more

A small, dessert place that serves Japanese shaved ice. The place is a little dark but gave the feeling of you being in Japan with its decor. The shaved ice are definitely shareable, especially if you get the large one. The cup ones were still shareable, in my opinion. I think it's a little costly for what it is but it's worth a try. I've visited this place a few times and tried a different flavor each time. I liked the matcha flavor the most. I liked how the flavors aren't too sweet but depending on the fruit season, sometime some fruit flavors are not as good. Also, in the past, they served fruit sandos and they were delicious. However, I haven't seen them since. Maybe they're seasonal as well? read more

Ko-Li Bar - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

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I stopped by Ko-Li Bar for a sweet treat with a bunch of friends after having dinner elsewhere in Convoy. We walked here, but if you're interested in parking in front of this establishment, I must say it might be a bit difficult due to the small lot. The inside was really cute and decorated to make you feel like you're in some low-key tourist spot in Japan. Seating is pretty limited, especially if you're with a large group of people. We placed our orders at a kiosk, which was easy to use. FOOD: I was a bit full after dinner, so I split with a friend. Strawberry Bear (5/5) - I think this might be their most popular item, and you can't really go wrong ordering it. Super delicious and not too heavy of a dessert. Came with three chocolate chips for eyes, and it looked more like a fluffy white dog than a bear to me. Came with ice cream underneath. Other friends got the Amazake Peach and the Strawberry shaved ice. Can't really rate it, but I will provide some pictures. SERVICE: I can't really rate the service because there was very little interaction with any staff member. You get a number on your receipt after ordering from the kiosk. They'll call out your number when you're done. Our orders came out at a reasonable time. TLDR// Great place to get Japanese shaved ice. I would come back to try more of the menu. read more

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A whopping 5 star because it was so good. It was our first time here and it didn't disappoint. If I wasn't full from lunch, I would've ordered the corn ice but since I was still full, I just ordered the matcha. My hubby ordered the halo halo and it was so tasty that he finished it quick. If you are in the area, visit and try them out! read more

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