Made Out of Snowflakes: Korean Bingsu
Your delicious savior on hot days: Korean Bingsu (빙수).
This delicious kinda ball-of-snow-looking sweet dessert is one of the most popular, tasty refreshments in Korea: Bingsu (빙수). <3
You can compare it to ice-cream which has fruity, super yummy toppings. But there’s something unique about how it’s made: The Bingsu ice-cream consists of condensed milk and water and these are pressed out in a special machine. That procedure makes the consistency of Bingsu come out like ice flakes. That’s why it looks like your Bingsu dessert would consist of little snowflakes - love it! :)
On an exceptionally hot, humid day in Seoul, this small icy snack was the savior I needed. I was walking through Bukchon Hanok Village unplanned when the weather kicked in. I’ll never forget, how this yummy snowflake bowl made me feel human again, bringing back normal, cooled-down temperatures to my body, haha.
So stay with me while I’m telling you a little bit about Korean Bingsu, the unique shaved ice-cream. :)
Bingsu Is Tradition:
Bingsu traces its roots back to Korea's past, where it was enjoyed as a special treat during hot summer days. Traditionally, it was made with shaved ice and sweetened red bean paste. These days as well, the shaved ice variation with red bean paste as topping is the most common form of Bingsu. It is also called Pat-Bingsu (팥빙수); you can see it on the picture above. Over the years it has evolved to include a wide range of ingredients and flavors, reflecting the creativity of Korean cuisine. So it’s no wonder, that coming from South Korea, this delightful dessert has captured the taste buds of dessert lovers around the world. Its light, fluffy texture and endless array of toppings is something you just have to experience.
Shaved Ice Like Snowflakes:
At the heart of Bingsu lies its signature ingredient: finely shaved ice. Excatly like snowflakes it melts in your mouth. The perfect texture is essential, so that the delicate, feathery flakes can be a light and fluffy base for the toppings to come. But I think, with modern ice-shaving machines consistency and quality can be ensured pretty well, so that ice is produced as fine as freshly fallen snow.
Endless Variations of Toppings:
What sets Bingsu apart from other desserts are the seemingly endless possibilities for flavors and toppings that can be combined with the shaved ice. You can find classic combinations like red bean and condensed milk, but also fruity creations like mango and strawberry. There's definitely a Bingsu flavor for every craving. That the toppings range from fresh fruits, nuts, sweet syrups, chewy rice cakes, even scoops of ice cream and so one, sets Bingsu apart from conventionally shaved ice: This one (I’m not sure where it stems from), is usually just combined with flavored syrup. That’s ok but not too adventurous for your taste buds, if you ask me. But with Bingsu and its diverse toppings, there’s just a special layer of texture and flavor added to each of your bites. YUM!
Beautiful to Look At:
And Bingsu is a feast for your eyes, as well: It’s always arranged so beautifully in large bowls. Seriously, I’m a fan of its presentation, because it’s as visually stunning as Bingsu itself is delicious. From vibrant fruits and edible flowers to cute decorations like animal-shaped cookies or candy - the Bingsus I’ve enjoyed so far have always been small works of art with love for the detail.
Conclusion: Bingsu Brings a Taste of Korea
Honestly, as I’m writing all of this down, I’m getting more and more convinced that calling Bingsu only a dessert is a biiiiig, big understatement. The flavors, the texture, the creativity with which it can be arranged - it’s delightful for all your senses. Damn, I wish, I could enjoy one of those right now. T.T Because I feel like, no matter if you have Bingsu on a hot summer day or just as a sweet treat on any other day of year: You have a spoon of it and immediately get a taste of Korean culture. <3