Hongkonger Zico Hau spent years working as a stuntman, filming for productions including the 2024 drama Stuntman and the upcoming Cold War 1994, starring Daniel Wu Neh-tsu and Terrance Lau Chun-him.
Then, life took a very sweet turn.
In May, Hau, 39, opened Iceyaki, a Japanese dessert shop specialising in kakigori (flavoured shaved ice), on the food-filled Kam Ping Street in Hong Kongโs North Point neighbourhood. Since then, it has become one of the coolest spots on the block.
On a sweltering June afternoon, Hau starts up an ice-shaving machine to prepare one of his popular desserts, which come in flavours such as honey tofu (HK$118/US$15), Nishio matcha (HK$128) and black sesame with red bean (HK$118).
โI had this machine shipped over from Japan,โ Hau says as he carefully shapes a honey tofu kakigori made with tofu, milk, cream, soybean flour and walnuts. It is served with a jar of gooey honey that customers can drizzle over the top of the shaved ice.
โThe best way to eat it is to share it with a friend,โ Hau explains. It is good advice given the huge portions.