In Korea, people happily look forward to the return of bingsu season every summer. Bingsu is a traditional Korean shaved-ice dessert with a variety of toppings. While the classics such as patbingsu (shaved ice with red beans) and fruit bingsu are standards, new bingsu types are released every year, like funny bingsu designed to look like jjajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce) or bibimbap! With a street of shops that specialize in bingsu, Korea is indeed bingsu heaven. Add more flavor to your summer trip to Korea with this refreshing treat.

| Classic Patbingsu

A true classic, patbingsu is the most beloved choice among Koreans, and available at almost every shop that sells bingsu. However, the sweet red bean paste that goes on top of the ice shaving takes a lot of time and effort to bring out the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. It’s no surprise most popular patbingsu shops make their own sweet bean paste.

# In Seoul

Patbingsu at Okrumong (Credit: Okrumong)

There are several shops in Seoul that make their own sweet red bean paste. One of the most well-known shops where you can taste authentic handmade patbingsu is Dongbinggo in Ichon-dong. Its name comes from the term once used for ice storage containers during the Joseon era. The patbingsu from Dongbinggo sticks to the original recipe as much as possible, limiting the ingredients to ice, condensed milk, sweet red bean, rice cakes, and milk. Okrumong in Sinchon, known for using the traditional method of boiling red beans in a cauldron, and Patgodang in Myeong-dong, a brand celebrated for using domestically produced red beans, also make their own sweet red bean paste.

# In Busan

There are many places in Busan famous for their traditional patbingsu. Namcheon Nokcha Patbingsu is one such place, known for their addition of green tea powder. Their patbingsu is extremely cheap, costing only 4,000 won, and they offer unlimited refills of green tea powder. The interior design, featuring wisteria trees, has made the restaurant popular as a photo spot, too.

Another popular patbingsu café in Busan known for making their own sweet red bean paste is Halmae Patbingsu Danpatjuk, a long-lasting small business with over 40 years of experience in making patbingsu. The crunchy ice creates the perfect complement to the soft-textured red beans topped with zesty apple jam.

Busan also has a patbingsu alley! Nampo-dong Patbingsu Alley has been in the area since the 1970s, and most vendors continue to serve the old-fashioned bingsu using the same recipe that’s been passed down for years. The recipe uses simple ingredients like milk, syrup, sweet red beans, and cocktail fruits for a no-frills bingsu, but its simplicity is what earned its reputation for bringing old time memories among Koreans.

| Unique Bingsu

From the countless available bingsu options, how about trying something unique that tempts your palate as well your eyes? If you enjoy taking pictures and showing off your vacation, then we recommend trying a very special “social media-worthy bingsu.” And if you’re a health conscious person, how about trying vegan bingsu, brimming with healthy flavors?

# Social media-worthy bingsu

There are cafes in Incheon and Daegu that serve creative and unique jjajangmyeon bingsu, designed to look just like a bowl of jjajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce). The white “noodles” are actually ice cream, and the deep dark colored red beans represent the sauce. Following the popularity of Jjajjangmyeon bingsu, the “Sweet And” café in Daegu unveiled a new bingsu on their menu, Jjamjjamyeon bingsu, referring to the combination of jjangmyeon and jjamppong (spicy noodle soup).

Don’t let the looks confuse you! This is bibim bingsu, designed to look just like a bowl of bibimbap. Enjoy the refreshing bibim bingsu painted with the flavors of Jeonju, a city known for its bibimbap. The large bowl is filled with frozen milk flakes, and topped with colorful fruits and, tteok (rice cakes). The Gwangju bibim bingsu uses jelly that made to look like a fried egg, completing the image of bibimbap. Mix in as much of the jam, ice cream, and red bean paste as you would like.

#Vegan bingsu

New vegan bingsu has come out for vegetarians and vegans who have a sweet tooth. Pan Honesta, a vegan bakery in Itaewon, makes vegan bingsu using oat milk for the ice base and coconut-based sugar as an alternative for regular sugar, offering a healthy alternative. They offer a variety of bingsu with different vegan toppings, including black sesame, pistachio, mango, and green tea powder. The Busan branch of the bakery also offers vegan options, prepared with ingredients such as coconut milk and soy milk.

| Premium and Affordable Bingsu

The bingsu prices vary widely depending on the seller and ingredients. From premium bingsu sold at hotels, following the “small luxury” trend, to cost-effective options, you can always find one that suits your taste and wallet.

#Luxury hotel bingsu

Mango bingsu at The Shilla Hotel (Credit: The Shilla Hotel)

Every summer, even luxury hotels jump on the bingsu train to serve up sweets as luxurious as their rooms. The steep price of the apple mango bingsu available this year at The Shilla Hotel and Signiel Hotel in Seoul doesn’t stop it from being so popular that there is a waitlist to enjoy it. At Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, you can enjoy two types of delicious bingsu made with Jeju apple mango, red bean, and green tea. The maru bingsu in particular is this year’s special option, blending the taste of green tea powder cream with vanilla cream for a full-bodied taste. Most hotels only offer bingsu for a limited period, so be sure to call in advance.

#Affordable bingsu

If you’re not up for fancy and expensive bingsu, opt for a bingsu from a café chain. Usually served in a cup as a one-person portion, they are convenient for a takeout. Available in a wide range of options and compact size, chain café bingsu is sure to please anyone who loves trying different flavors or eating out alone. With the chain stores available nationwide, these bingsu are perfect for a hot summer day. Just be sure to call and check availability, as they can sell out quickly.

* This column was last updated in July 2025, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check for updates before visiting.