Bingsu (Korean Shaved Ice)
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The best way to cool down a hot day is with a nice cold treat. Bingsu, Korean shaved ice, is the perfect dessert to do just that! Icy, yet still creamy, and with an infinite choice of toppings what’s not to love about it.
What is Bingsu?
Similar to ice cream, bingsu is made from frozen cream or milk. It’s a type of Korean shaved ice where a block of frozen milk or cream is grated or shaved using a knife to create a fluffy, snow-like dessert.
Bingsu normally comes with toppings on top of the mound of shaved ice. Red bean, bean paste, tteok (rice cake) and groundnut powder are some of the traditional toppings. Other popular toppings include chopped fruits, condensed milk, candy and cookies.
Just like ice cream, bingsu also comes in a variety of flavours. The most popular flavours are green tea, coffee and yogurt but there are also other flavours like strawberry, chocolate, lychee and mango.
With all these flavours and toppings, the possibilities are endless!
Where Can You Find It Here?
In South Korea and other countries in Asia, bingsu stalls are just as common as ice cream parlours here in North America. Now you can find it everywhere, North America included!
The most common place you can find bingsu is at Asian dessert cafes and bakeries. The Chinese have their own version of shaved ice and restaurants will often offer it as a dessert item on the menu.
Here in Toronto, the best places to get Korean shaved ice are Dear Fro in Scarborough and Soul Cafe, which has 2 locations in North York and 1 in Scarborough. Of course, these aren’t the only places! Finding new and delicious bingsu locations is a fun adventure to go on with family or friends.
You can also easily make Korean shaved ice at home if you can’t find any near you! Follow this super easy recipe below to enjoy it at home. For more delicious summer recipes to help you cool down, try our Mango Smoothie with Tapioca or our Matcha Ice Cream. Now, let’s start making bingsu!
Bingsu (Korean Shaved Ice) Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups milk
- ½ cup condensed milk, (sub with glucose or corn syrup)
- your choice of toppings (e.g. chopped fruit, red bean, condensed milk, candy, etc.)
Instructions
- In a freezer-safe container, mix the milk and condensed milk together using a whisk.
- Cover the mixture and freeze for at least 5 hours or overnight.
- While the mixture is freezing, prepare your toppings. You can chop up some fruits like mangoes, strawberries, kiwi or bananas. Set them aside.
- After the mixture has frozen, remove it from the container and wrap it in some plastic wrap. This will make it easier to hold.
- Hold the wrapped up milk block with a towel to protect your skin and begin shaving it into a bowl using a grater. You can also use a food processor with a grater attachment.
- Add your favourite toppings and drizzle some condensed milk on top. Enjoy!
