When the hot summer season begins, one of the first desserts that comes to mind in Korea is bingsu. Made with finely shaved ice topped with sweet red beans, rice cakes, fruits, and condensed milk, bingsu has become a dessert loved by people of all ages. Today, it is not only enjoyed by Koreans but also sought after by foreign tourists, making it Korea’s signature summer dessert. However, the colorful and modern bingsu culture seen today was created through a long history and many changes over time.

The history of Korean bingsu dates back to the Joseon Dynasty. During that period, there were government ice storage facilities called “Seobinggo,” where ice collected in winter was stored and used during the summer. Members of the royal family and the upper class would crush the stored ice and eat it with honey or fruit, which can be considered the earliest form of modern bingsu. Since ice was extremely valuable at the time, ordinary people could not easily enjoy it. However, as ice-making and refrigeration technology developed over the years, bingsu gradually became a popular food enjoyed by the general public.

During the Japanese colonial period, Japanese “kakigori” culture was introduced to Korea, leading to the appearance of patbingsu, which resembles the modern version enjoyed today. Patbingsu, finely shaved ice topped with sweet red beans became popular, and began appearing throughout Seoul. Later, as Korea’s economy grew during the 1970s and 1980s and living standards improved, bingsu evolved into a much more diverse dessert. In addition to traditional patbingsu, new styles such as milk bingsu, fruit bingsu, green tea bingsu, and injeolmi bingsu appeared. More recently, luxury hotels have introduced premium mango bingsu, underlining bingsu’s importance in Korean dessert culture. This article will introduce two famous traditional bingsu cafes in Seoul.

Samcheong-dong Bingsu

Samcheong-dong is home to many famous bingsu cafes that combine traditional Korean atmosphere with modern style. Among them, Samcheong Bingsu is known as one of Seoul’s most popular bingsu cafes and attracts both local visitors and foreign tourists. Located near Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village, it is considered a perfect dessert destination for visitors who want to enjoy traditional Korean scenery.

The defining characteristic of Samcheong Bingsu is its modern reinterpretation of traditional ingredients. Popular menu items such as injeolmi bingsu and patbingsu use traditional Korean ingredients including red beans, rice cakes, and soybean powder, while adding soft milk-based shaved ice and elegant presentation. In particular, the snow-like texture of the milk ice represents one of the most important updates in modern bingsu recipes.

Samcheong Bingsu is also famous for its atmosphere. The quiet alleys and traditional hanok buildings of Samcheong-dong allow visitors to experience a distinctly Korean mood, attracting many tourists who wish to experience Korean culture.

Dongbinggo Bingsu

Another famous bingsu cafe in Seoul is Dongbinggo, located in Ichon-dong. Dongbinggo is widely known as a place that represents traditional Korean bingsu culture. Its name comes from “Dongbinggo,” a royal ice storage facility used during the Joseon Dynasty. The cafe’s name is itself a reflection of Korean bingsu’s history and traditions.

Dongbinggo’s signature menu item is traditional patbingsu. It demonstrates the Korean approach of valuing the natural taste of ingredients rather than excessive decoration. In particular, the mildly sweet red beans remind many customers of the nostalgic taste of old-fashioned bingsu.

Today, the number of people seeking traditional bingsu has declined as a wide variety of new bingsu options have introduced. Nevertheless, Dongbinggo continues to preserve the traditional taste of patbingsu while adding a modern touch, allowing it to remain popular among younger generations and foreign tourists alike.

Bingsu holds a meaning that goes beyond being a cold dessert. For Koreans, it is a food associated with memories shared with family and friends during hot summer days, as well as a cultural tradition passed down through generations. Memories of eating patbingsu with parents during childhood remain cherished summer memories for many people, while younger generations continue creating new dessert culture through modern styles of bingsu. Although its appearance has changed over time, bingsu has consistently provided people with joy and comfort.

Reporter

Sieun Jeon

cherryjeon06@seoultech.ac.kr

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