Are you looking for the perfect Korean bingsu recipe? You don’t need to search any further — today, I’m introducing the only bingsu recipe you’ll ever need in your life. Stay tuned, because we’re diving right into the delightful world of shaved ice.
Today’s TMI is that I have a soft spot in my heart for Korean desserts. Whether it’s hwachae or any other delicious treat, they’ve completely won me over. As the temperature rises here in Seoul, many cafés — including Ediya, Hollys , or Paris Baguette — have already added their special bingsu creations to the menu. Some serve it with refreshing fruits like strawberries, while others offer bold new flavors like caramelized popcorn.
What bingsu exactly is?
As I’ve mentioned before, bingsu (빙수) is a popular Korean dessert made of finely shaved ice topped with a variety of sweet ingredients. Unlike traditional crushed ice or snow cones, bingsu’s ice is shaved so finely that it almost melts in your mouth, giving it a light, fluffy, and creamy texture. The key to this soft texture lies in adding milk or sweetened condensed milk to the ice, making it richer and smoother than plain ice. No surprise it’s so loved all over Korea.
So, what does bingsu taste like then? Well, of course it’s creamy and light — but the actual flavor depends on the toppings.
One of the most popular versions is Strawberry Bingsu. This variation features fluffy shaved ice topped with fresh strawberries, sweetened condensed milk, and sometimes strawberry syrup or a scoop of ice cream. It’s a perfect balance of tart and sweet, with a vibrant, colorful presentation.
The traditional and original style of bingsu, Patbingsu, features sweetened red beans (pat) as the topping, along with chewy rice cakes and sometimes nuts. It’s a classic that remains a beloved choice in Korea.
Where does bingsu come from?
You might think that bingsu is a modern Korean invention, but it’s actually a dessert with over a hundred years of history. People during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897) were already enjoying bingsu as a refreshing summer treat. Naturally, it wasn’t topped with Oreos or caramelized popcorn back then — instead, it featured sweetened red beans. This original version is known as patbingsu (팥빙수).
As time went on, with modernization and the introduction of new ingredients, bingsu evolved into a more elaborate and diverse dessert. Today’s bingsu often includes milk-based shaved ice and a wide variety of toppings such as fresh fruits, syrups, and cookies, making it a popular dessert enjoyed around the world.
Can you make bingsu at home?
Yes — and it’s easier than you think!
While bingsu may look like a fancy café dessert, it’s actually simple to recreate at home with just a few basic tools and ingredients. All you need is shaved ice, condensed milk, and your choice of toppings.
Okay, but how can you make shaved ice?
Don’t worry — it’s actually very easy. First, freeze milk or water in advance. For a creamier texture, use a mixture of milk and sweetened condensed milk.
The next step is shaving the ice. You can use a professional ice shaver, but the good news is that a blender works just fine too!
Once you’ve got your fluffy shaved ice, simply pile it into a bowl, drizzle it with condensed milk, and layer it with your favorite toppings.
See? I told you it’s not difficult at all!
Easy bingsu recipes
Let’s dive straight into the best part: the actual bingsu recipes. You didn’t think I’d leave you without sharing some sweet treats, did you?
The recipes I’m going to share are all for two, but feel free to adjust the ingredients as needed for more servings.
Strawberry Bingsu
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- 2–3 tablespoons strawberry syrup or jam
- 1 scoop vanilla or strawberry ice cream
- Ice cubes
How to make it:
- Start with washing and slicing the strawberries.
- Use a blender or ice shaver to shave the frozen milk (or regular ice)
- Place the shaved ice in a deep serving bowl.
- Drizzle with condensed milk and a spoon of strawberry syrup.
- Layer the sweetened strawberries over the top.
- Add a scoop of ice cream if desired.
Tips to serve
Top with extra strawberry slices, mint, or crunchy cereal flakes. My personal recommendation is to put strawberry jam on top.Trust me,it’s that good!
Oreo Bingsu
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 6–8 Oreo cookies, crushed
- 1 scoop cookies & cream or vanilla ice cream
- Chocolate syrup or chocolate drizzle
- Whipped cream
- Ice cubes or frozen milk cubes
How to make it:
- Place Oreos in a ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- The preparation for the ice is the same as for the strawberry version.So Blend your frozen milk cubes (or regular ice) until you get a fine, snow-like texture.
- Drizzle condensed milk over the shaved ice.
- Add half of the crushed Oreos on top.
- Drizzle with chocolate syrup for extra sweetness.Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Sprinkle the rest of the Oreo crumbs over the ice cream.
- Optional: add a swirl of whipped cream and a whole Oreo for garnish.
Tiramisu Bingsu
Drumroll please for the next candidate. If you love coffe and cold treats,the Coffe Bingsu is your dream dessert. With bold espresso flavor, creamy mascarpone or whipped cream it’s a bit of tiramisu like,making it the perfect mixture of korean and italian desserts.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 1 shot of espresso (or 3 tbsp strong brewed coffee)
- 1 tablespoon coffee syrup or sugar (optional, for sweetening)
- 3 tablespoons mascarpone cheese or whipped cream
- 2–3 ladyfinger biscuits (or sponge cake slices), crumbled
- Cocoa powder (for dusting)
- Ice cubes or frozen milk cubes
How to make it
- Make a strong shot of espresso or a few tablespoons of strong coffee and let it cool completely.
- Blend frozen milk cubes or regular ice until fine and fluffy — as you already know,the texture should be like powdery snow.
- Pour the chilled coffee evenly over the shaved ice.
- Pipe mascarpone cheese (or whipped cream) on top.
- Add crumbled ladyfingers or soft sponge cake pieces around and over the top.
- Use a small sieve or strainer to dust cocoa powder over the top, just like a classic tiramisu.
So have i awakened your taste buds? Well,i hope so because Summer is really here now.And these lovely ice cold desserts will surely cool you down.And the best part? You don’t have to fly to Seoul to enjoy it. With a blender, a few ingredients, and a little creativity, you can recreate authentic Korean bingsu at home.
So the next time you’re craving something cool, light, and customizable, skip the usual ice cream and treat yourself to a bowl of homemade bingsu. You’ll be tasting a piece of Korean culture — one spoonful at a time.Which bingsu flavor will you try first? Let me know in the comments or tag me if you make your own at home!
