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The sweltering Korean summer heat demands a sweet, icy escape, and bingsu delivers. But, what is bingsu? It is a beloved Korean dessert made of finely shaved ice topped with a wide variety of ingredients, from sweet red beans to tropical fruit and cheesecake.
Every summer in Korea signals the anticipated return of bingsu, a delectable shaved ice treat. With traditional favorites always in demand and inventive new flavors and variants popping up annually, it’s no surprise that Korea has a lane dedicated just for bingsu enthusiasts. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local looking to explore new flavors, this guide will take you through bingsu’s rich history, its modern twists, and the best places to try it this season.
A Cool History: From Joseon Courts to Modern Cafés
Bingsu may look modern with its mountain of toppings and pastel hues, but its origins go back centuries. During the Joseon Dynasty, ice was a luxury stored in royal ice houses and served with simple fruits or honey for noble families.
After the Korean War, bingsu evolved with the addition of sweetened condensed milk and red bean paste (pat), making the now-famous pat-bingsu a staple in dessert shops and homes. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Korea’s booming café culture embraced bingsu and transformed it from a basic dessert into an art form, layered, decorated, and always evolving.
Today, you’ll find bingsu ranging from ₩5,000 street-style treats to ₩150,000 gourmet creations in luxury hotels.
The Classics: Timeless Bingsu Flavors and Styles
Classic Bingsu Flavors: The Evergreen Patbingsu (Red Bean Bingsu)
Patbingsu remains a perennial favorite, often being the sole bingsu option on several menus. It is the bingsu OG.
Pat-bingsu combines shaved ice with sweet red bean paste, condensed milk, mochi, and sometimes even cornflakes. It’s a nostalgic flavor that continues to be a summer favorite.
The sweet red bean paste garnishing the ice is a culinary art in itself. It requires a meticulous balance of sweetness and texture, which is why renowned patbingsu outlets prefer crafting their in-house bean paste.
Green Tea (Nokcha) Bingsu
With its slightly bitter edge, green tea bingsu is a refreshing option for those who want a more mature flavor. Topped with matcha powder, injeolmi (rice cake), and sometimes red bean, it’s a subtle delight.
Fruit-Based Bingsu
Seasonal fruit like strawberries, mangoes, kiwis, and watermelon take center stage in this refreshing twist. Often served with fruit syrups and a scoop of ice cream or yogurt, these versions are both sweet and vibrant.
Plant-Based Cravings: Vegan Bingsu
Korea has cafes that do vegan bingsu, so if you are a vegan, you can still try out this amazing Korean summer treat.
Pan Honesta in Itaewon, Seoul is one such Korean cafe that does vegan bingsu. Oat milk forms the base of their vegan bingsu, with diverse vegan toppings to choose from.
The New School: Premium, Creative, and Viral Bingsu
For the ‘Gram: Unique Bingsu Creations
sweet_and_ in Daegu has a jjajangmyeon bingsu that is a visual illusion. The ice cream looks like noodles, while the red beans serve as the sauce. If you are on the ‘gram, this is a must-visit bingsu cafe in Daegu.
Café meritree has really cute bingsu that look like bears. It’s peach marinated with soft milk ice for a crispy texture, and a peach egg made with Gylos sugar. Everything totally delicious!
Living Luxuriously with Bingsu
High-end hotels, like The Shilla Hotel in Seoul and Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas, have jumped aboard the bingsu express, offering indulgent variants and flavors for a limited time.
Cup Bingsu Craze
On the flip side, Korea has also fallen in love with cup bingsu, single-serving, affordable, and viral on social media. Café chains like Mega Coffee, Compose Coffee, and The Venti offer fun flavors in grab-and-go cups that are perfect for beating the heat on your commute or during an office break.Expect trendy combinations like cookie & cream, tiramisu, or fruit parfait bingsu in a cup.
Convenience Store Bingsu: A Budget-Friendly Bliss
Perfect for those seeking delectable flavors without the hefty price tag. Convenience stores are a great option if you’re looking for a quick and affordable bingsu flavor. They offer a wide variety of flavors, from the classic patbingsu to more unique options like fruit bingsu and bingsu made in collaboration with popular brands. And because they’re sold at convenience stores, bingsu is much more affordable than at a restaurant.
Choonsik’s strawberry bingsu features the popular Kakao Friends character, making it a fun and delicious treat for kids and adults alike.
GS25 Melona bingsu is a collaboration between GS25 convenience store and Melona, a popular ice cream brand. It’s made with Melona ice cream, so it’s sure to be sweet and refreshing.
Best Places to Try Bingsu in Korea
Where to Get the Best in Seoul?
Dobinggo in Ichon-dong: Committed to authenticity, Dobinggo is a popular bingsu (shaved ice dessert) shop in Ichon-dong, Seoul. It is known for its authentic patbingsu, made with homemade sweet red bean paste, shaved ice, condensed milk, and toppings such as rice cakes, fruit, and nuts. Dobinggo also offers a variety of other bingsu flavors, including strawberry, mango, and green tea.
Homilbat in Sinchon: Homilbat is a popular dessert cafe in Sinchon, Seoul. It is known for its traditional Korean dessert bingsu (shaved ice with red beans), made with homemade red bean paste. Homilbat also offers a variety of other bingsu flavors, including green tea, watermelon, and mango.
Geumokdang in Yeonhui-dong: Geumokdang is a traditional Korean dessert cafe in Yeonhui-dong, Seoul. It is also known for its homemade red bean paste, which is used to make a variety of desserts, including bingsu, jellies, and pastries. Geumokdang also offers a variety of other desserts, such as fruit parfaits, ice cream, and waffles. Geumokdang is a great place to go for a delicious and authentic Korean dessert. The desserts are made with fresh ingredients, and the portions are generous. The prices are also reasonable. If you are in Yeonhui-dong, be sure to stop by Geumokdang and try their desserts.
Busan’s Patbingsu Hotspots
Namcheon Nokcha Patbingsu: Known for their unique touch of green tea powder. And, if you’re a fan of Instagrammable spots, their interior won’t disappoint. Namcheon Nokcha Patbingsu’s shaved ice contains plenty of red beans, so you can enjoy the true taste of red bean shaved ice. In addition, the nuts and syrup on the shaved ice enrich the taste of the shaved ice. Namcheon Nokcha Patbingsu is one of the must-try shaved ice restaurants in Busan. If you want to enjoy the bitter taste of green tea and the sweet taste of red beans, visit Namcheon Nokcha Patbingsu.
Maru Patbingsu: A haven for crunchy ice and sweet red bean aficionados. Maru Patbingsu is a shaved ice restaurant located in Suyeong-gu, Busan. The shaved ice here is made with various ingredients such as red bean paste, green tea, fruit, and ice cream, and the red bean shaved ice is especially famous.
Nampo-dong Patbingsu Alley: A time capsule that whisks you back to the 1970s. Simple ingredients create a memorable experience. The alley is located in the heart of Nampo-dong, Busan’s busiest shopping district. It is a street lined with bingsu shops, each with its own unique take on the dessert. The bingsu in Nampo-dong Patbingsu Alley is made with fresh ingredients, and the shops offer a variety of flavors to choose from, including 팥빙수 (patbingsu with red beans), 녹차빙수 (green tea bingsu), and 망고빙수 (mango bingsu). If you are in Busan, be sure to visit Nampo-dong Patbingsu Alley and try some of the delicious bingsu. You won’t be disappointed!
Flavor Trends: What’s Hot This Summer
Jeju Apple Mango Bingsu
Only available during summer, Jeju’s juicy apple mango makes for an irresistibly sweet and creamy bingsu. Look for it at high-end hotels and dessert cafés across Seoul and Jeju. And if you end up choosing Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul, it will cost you around ₩149,000 for a serve! (PS, it was ₩130,000 last year).
Cheesecake, Brownie & Coffee-Infused Bingsu
Expect bold flavors like espresso bingsu, tiramisu, chocolate brownie, and even cheesecake-topped varieties. These are richer and denser—perfect for those with a serious sweet tooth.
Bingsu as a Travel Experience
Eating bingsu isn’t just about cooling down; it’s a Korean summer tradition. Locals often spend hours in cafés chatting over bingsu, making it a social and cultural experience.
When to Go
Peak bingsu season is July to August, but many cafés now serve it year-round.
Where to Find It
- Local cafés for authentic and often affordable experiences.
- Hotel lounges for luxury takes.
- Department store food halls like Shinsegae and Lotte for gourmet mid-range options.
- Street vendors and ice cream chains for casual, on-the-go enjoyment.
Conclusion: A Sweet Slice of Korean Summer
Bingsu is more than a dessert, it’s a delicious journey through Korea’s past and present. From traditional red bean bowls to deluxe mango pavlovas and viral cup versions, this refreshing treat continues to reinvent itself every summer.
From timeless classics to avant-garde innovations, the world of bingsu in Korea promises something for everyone. As the summer heat bears down, find your relief in a chilly bowl of this Korean favorite.
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