Summer in Korea is hot.
The monsoon season adds high humidity, making you feel like you’re in a sauna.
If you’re visiting Korea during summer, I highly recommend trying bingsu (Bing Su), a dessert that symbolizes Korean summer.
#빙수 #컵빙수 #팥빙수 #과일빙수
#Bingsu #CupBingSu #PatBingSu #FruitBingSu
Bingsu is a dessert made with finely shaved ice topped with nuts, rice cakes, fruits, and other ingredients to add texture.
Traditional bingsu is based on patbingsu, which features sweet red beans(Pat, 팥) as its main topping.
Today, bingsu has evolved into countless variations beyond the classic form.
How Has Bingsu Evolved?
From what I remember, Sulbing popularized fusion bingsu, while Meal Top made milk snowflake bingsu mainstream.
What is Fusion Bingsu?
- It’s a type of bingsu topped with a variety of ingredients such as fruits, rice cakes, cheese, chocolate, and whipped cream.
- Examples: Injeolmi Sulbing, Cheese Sulbing, Chocolate Brownie Sulbing, etc.
What is Milk Snowflake Bingsu?
- This bingsu uses finely shaved milk ice topped with sweet red beans, offering a softer and richer taste.
Later, Shilla Hotel’s Apple Mango Bingsu became popular, starting the trend of fresh fruit bingsu in Korea.
Today, bingsu has developed to the point where categorizing it is almost meaningless due to the variety of combinations available.
Characteristics of Today’s Bingsu
- Fruit bingsu now comes in many varieties, often using milk ice or shaved frozen fruit.
- Red bean bingsu almost always includes rice cakes and may feature cereal or crispy grains for texture.
- Some cafes let customers choose between milk ice and regular ice.
From : https://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Society/view?articleId=172293
Cup Bingsu: The New Trend in Affordable Bingsu
Recently (as of July 2025), affordable “cup bingsu” has become a major trend.
Sold at franchise cafes, cup bingsu is served in large-sized drink cups, providing:
- The right portion
- Affordable pricing
- Satisfying taste
It’s an easy, accessible option for travelers looking to try bingsu without hassle, and each franchise offers different flavors and styles.
Mega Coffee Cup Bingsu: My Honest Review (July, 2025)
The other day, on a scorching afternoon, I tried Mega Coffee’s Cup Bingsu for the first time.
Priced around 3,000 KRW, it’s a wallet-friendly option compared to typical cafe bingsu.
I chose the Strawberry Cup Bingsu, and the portion was surprisingly generous, served in a large drink cup.
The ice was finely shaved, melting smoothly, and it came with strawberry syrup, small jelly pieces, and cereal toppings, adding variety to each bite.
What I loved most was its “balance.”
- It wasn’t overly sweet, making it easy to finish without getting tired of it.
- The toppings were simple yet satisfying, perfect for a light and refreshing treat.
- The portion was just right for enjoying alone.
Of course, it doesn’t compare to premium bingsu shops in terms of topping variety or quality.
However, for affordability and accessibility, it was a very satisfying choice.
If you’re traveling in Korea during the hot summer, grabbing a cup bingsu at a cafe like Mega Coffee is a great way to cool down and take a refreshing break.
Convenience Store Bingsu Also Exists
Bingsu is not limited to cafes; you can also find it easily at convenience stores across Korea.
- It is the most affordable option, though its quality can’t match specialized bingsu shops.
- At home, you can pour milk, grain powder, strawberry milk, or banana milk over it to enhance the taste.
- Adding crushed ice cream like Cookies & Cream or Melona can make it even better.
Just remember, adding too many extras can bring the cost close to that of premium bingsu shops.
Final Thoughts
If you visit Korea in the summer, enjoying a bowl of bingsu is a perfect way to beat the heat.
From budget-friendly cup bingsu to premium cafe bingsu and convenience store options, there’s a bingsu out there for everyone.
In the next post, I will introduce recommended bingsu cafes you can try in Seoul.