Yukis are one of those treats that many locals have known since childhood, but few realize they have Japanese origins. This frozen dessert arrived in Monterrey nearly 100 years ago thanks to José María Kishiro Furukawa, a Japanese immigrant who found in the northern heat the perfect opportunity to share a little piece of his culture.
Inspired by traditional Japanese kakigori, yukis are made with shaved ice and flavored syrups. Their name comes from the Japanese word “yuki,” meaning snow, and over the years they have become one of the most iconic treats in Nuevo León.
The Japanese history behind Regio’s yukis
It all began in the 1930s, when Kishiro Furukawa arrived in Monterrey with one of the first ice-shaving machines in Mexico. Setting up shop near the Alameda Mariano Escobedo, he began selling these refreshing desserts, which quickly caught the attention of Monterrey residents.
Although they are very similar to traditional Mexican shaved ice, yukis retained some of the Japanese essence of kakigori. Their light texture and finely shaved ice set them apart from any other snack of the time.
Over time, yukis also became a source of employment for many Japanese families living in the northern part of the country. To this day, the Furukawa family keeps this tradition alive, one that is now part of Monterrey’s cultural and culinary identity.
A classic for surviving the heat in the region
In a city where the heat can feel extreme for much of the year, yukis became the perfect remedy for cooling off. Entire generations grew up visiting the Alameda to enjoy this fruity frozen dessert.
More than just a simple shaved ice treat, yukis represent a story of migration, memory, and shared cuisine between Mexico and Japan. An example of how traditions travel, evolve, and ultimately become part of an entire city’s identity.
