What is Bingsu? (my experience with bingsu)

What is Bingsu? Bingsu is a traditional Korean shaved ice dessert that is made with shaved ice, sweetened condensed milk, and topped with a variety of different fruits and other toppings. It is traditionally served with a variety of sweet toppings such as fresh fruit, nuts, and red bean paste. It is a popular summer dessert in Korea and is quickly gaining popularity around the world. Bingsu is a great way to cool down on a hot summer day and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time.

Bingsu is a great dessert to make at home as it is easy and quick to make. All you need is a few ingredients and a few minutes to make the perfect bingsu. You can also get creative and add different toppings to make your own unique bingsu.

My Experience With Bingsu

My recent trip to Korea was an experience like no other. From the traditional culture, to the delicious food, to the beautiful scenery, there was something for everyone to enjoy. But one of the highlights of my trip was definitely trying bingsu for the first time. For those of you who don’t know, bingsu is a popular Korean dessert, usually served in a big bowl with shaved ice and a variety of toppings. It’s both tasty and refreshing, making it a great choice for a hot summer day. My first bingsu experience was absolutely incredible.

I opted for a classic strawberry mixed berry bingsu, which was topped with strawberries and other berries, sweetened condensed milk, and a generous scoop of ice cream. The shaved ice was so light and fluffy that it almost melted in my mouth. The combination of sweetness and texture was simply heavenly. After that first bingsu experience, I was hooked. I had bingsu several more times during my stay in Korea, and each time I was able to try something new and exciting. I tried flavors like green tea, mango, and even blueberry.

I also experimented with different toppings, like almonds, mochi, and honey. Every time I had bingsu, I was reminded why it’s so beloved in Korea. It’s a delicious and refreshing dessert that’s perfect for any occasion, and it’s definitely one of the most memorable experiences I had during my trip. So, if you ever get the chance to try bingsu in Korea, don’t miss it!

Different types of Bingsu i came across

The Patbingsu

The favorite bingsu of many Koreans is none other than the patbingsu. The patbingsu is regarded as shaved ice with red beans. This traditional Korean shaved ice is usually garnished with Korean rice cakes (Anselmi-tteok). As its main ingredient, it makes use of a red bean paste. It must be noted that PAT means sweet red bean. Now, if you want to get better at Injeolmi Bingsu, adding more injeolmi tteok to the patbingsu will get you to Injeolmi Bingsu.

In other words, the popular injeolmi bingsu is a variant of patbingsu, except that it has the additional injeolmi tteok. The injeolmi tteok is also called Korean sticky rice cakes. It is filled with soybean powder. Therefore, you can compare its flavor to that of peanut butter, which will be in powdered form. However, the nutty, creamy texture remains, making it a favorite flavor of many.

The Mango Bingsu

When it comes to fruit bingsu, its variety tends to be unrivaled yearly. The reason is that diverse fruits get ripe with each season, which changes the taste of this dessert. Bingsu can come with different fruits like melon, banana, kiwi, strawberry, watermelon, and mango. No matter the fruit, you can find it in a bingsu recipe. Nevertheless, the most popular bingsu will have to be the mango bingsu. It comes with a tangy yet sweet taste. It is excellent for people who need something refreshingly sweet. Its smooth ice blends very well with the mango syrup normally poured. Moreover, it comes loaded with juicy mango pieces to give it more flavor.

Ingredients: – 4 cups of shaved ice – 1/4 cup of sweetened condensed milk – 1 cup of diced mango Instructions: 1. In a blender, blend together the shaved ice and diced mango until it is a fine powder. 2. Place the shaved ice in a large bowl and top with the sweetened condensed milk. 3. Serve immediately and enjoy

The choco bingsu

In Choco bingsu, chocolate sauce, chocolate chips, or chocolate ice cream is added. The shaved ice is typically topped with sweetened condensed milk and chocolate sauce or chocolate chips and sometimes garnished with whipped cream or chocolate shavings. Some variations of choco bingsu may also include additional toppings such as fresh fruits or nuts. This chocolate banana bingsu is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. The combination of chocolate and banana is amazing and it is sure to be a hit.

Ingredients: – 4 cups of shaved ice – 1/4 cup of sweetened condensed milk – 1 cup of sliced bananas – 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder Instructions: 1. In a blender, blend together the shaved ice and cocoa powder until it is a fine powder. 2. In a bowl, mix together the sweetened condensed milk and sliced bananas. 3. Place the shaved ice in a large bowl and top with the banana and condensed milk mixture. 4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Classic Strawberry Bingsu

This classic strawberry bingsu is a great way to cool down on a hot summer day. It is refreshing, sweet, and delicious. Ingredients: – 4 cups of shaved ice – 1/4 cup of sweetened condensed milk – 1 cup of fresh strawberries, sliced – 2 tablespoons of sugar Instructions: 1. In a blender, blend together the shaved ice and sugar until it is a fine powder. 2. In a bowl, mix together the sweetened condensed milk and sliced strawberries. 3. Place the shaved ice in a large bowl and top with the strawberry and condensed milk mixture. 4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Matcha Bingsu

Matcha bingsu is a variation of the traditional Korean dessert bingsu that includes matcha green tea powder as an ingredient. The matcha powder is often mixed into the shaved ice or used as a topping along with other ingredients such as sweetened condensed milk, red bean paste, and mochi. Some variations of matcha bingsu may also include additional toppings such as green tea ice cream, fresh fruit, and toasted soy flour.

Oreo Bingsu

Oreo Bingsu includes crushed Oreo cookies as a topping. The shaved ice is typically topped with sweetened condensed milk and crushed Oreos, making for a sweet and crunchy treat. Some variations of Oreo Bingsu may also include additional toppings such as chocolate sauce, fresh fruit, and whipped cream. Oreo Bingsu is a popular dessert choice among Oreo cookie enthusiasts and those who enjoy the combination of creamy and crunchy textures in their desserts.

injeolmi Bingsu

Injeolmi is made from glutinous rice flour and is often coated in roasted soybean powder. The shaved ice is typically topped with sweetened condensed milk and crushed injeolmi, making for a sweet and chewy treat. Some variations of injeolmi bingsu may also include additional toppings such as red bean paste, mung bean powder, and sesame seeds.

Coconut Bingsu

Coconut bingsu is a variation of bingsu that includes coconut as an ingredient. The coconut can be used in different forms, such as shredded coconut, coconut cream, or coconut milk. The shaved ice is typically topped with sweetened condensed milk, shredded coconut and sometimes garnished with toasted coconut flakes. Some variations of coconut bingsu may also include additional toppings such as fresh fruit, or coconut-flavored ice cream.

Coffee Bingsu

The shaved ice is typically topped with sweetened condensed milk, coffee powder or syrup and sometimes garnished with whipped cream. Some variations of coffee bingsu may also include additional toppings such as chocolate sauce, or coffee-flavored ice cream.

Lemon Bingsu

In Lemon bingsu, lemon can be used in different forms, such as lemon juice, lemon zest, or lemon flavored ice cream. The shaved ice is typically topped with sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice or zest and sometimes garnished with lemon wedges. Some variations of lemon bingsu may also include additional toppings such as lemon sorbet or fresh fruits.

Tips on Making Bingsu

• Ensure you have the toppings and garnishes ready first.

Since this dessert is known to come together swiftly, you will need to capitalize on the texture of your freshly shaved ice by having the toppings prepared for a simple serving. You should chill your serving bowls in your freezer before you begin the main bingsu.

• The base should be made with sweetened condensed milk.

You can try this method for those who want their bingsu to be decadent and not the usual classic plain ice. Easily fill your ice cube trays with both sweetened condensed milk and whole milk. You are to blend them all, and the result will be a blend of shaved ice and milky sorbet.

• Make use of an electric ice shaver.

Like the ice cream machine, using an electric ice shaver is the ideal way to get that fluffy texture in the comfort of your home. You can also try out a powerful food processor. Or, if you have those high-speed blenders, they will give you the same effect. For the blades not to get dull, it is advisable to put the ice in batches.

Conclusion

Generally, you can easily make your bingsu if you have your ingredients ready. Overall, my experience with bingsu was delightful! If you’re looking for a new way to satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling guilty afterwards then I would highly recommend trying bingsoo. Not only does it taste great but it’s also fun to customize your own version of this popular dessert. So why not give it a go? You won’t regret it!

Also check my Gluten free food experience & recipies in korea