Summer is definitely in full swing. The days are longer and hotter. One of the things I’m looking forward to this summer is cooling down with a bowl of bingsu.
Bingsu is a Korean dessert traditionally made with ice shavings, condensed milk and sweet toppings such as red beans, chopped fruit, cookies or candies and ice cream. While forms of this dish have been in existence since the 1300s, its modern form started with the introduction of patbingsu, featuring red bean paste, during Korea’s time under Japanese rule in the early 20th century. Foreign influence during the Korean War in the 1950s led to the inclusion of ingredients such as canned fruits, ice cream, cereal, nuts and syrups.
Bingsu shops and restos that offer variations of this yummy dessert have sprouted all over the metro. Here are some you might be interested to try:
Mango Bingsu at Jang Da Bang by Jang Ga Nae (Php199 for regular)
The sweet and succulent mango bits give this bingsu its dominant flavor but the tidbits of other fruits and the cereal provide a nice contrast of tastes and textures.
Jang Da Bang Cafe is located 8137 Plaza Ortigas, Jose Escriva Drive, Ortigas, Pasig City (behind the University of Asia and the Pacific)
Read my full restaurant review here.
Mango Cheese Bingsu at Hobing Korean Dessert (Php320 for large)
Mango seems to be an unbeatable bingsu variant. Coupled with large chunks of rich New York Cheesecake and topped with vanilla ice cream and sliced almonds, this delectable confection is a refreshing explosion of sweetness in your mouth.
This branch of Hobing Korean Dessert is located at the 3rd Floor BGC Stopover Pavilion, Rizal Drive cor 31st Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Read my full restaurant review here.
Rockmelon Bingsu at Gangnam Wings (Php280)
This dessert is prettily presented with melon balls served in the melon shell and topped with a big dollop of vanilla ice cream.
Gangnam Wings is located at the Megastrip Unit 1-114 Upper Ground Floor, outside Building A, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City.
Read my full restaurant review here.
Injealmee Snowflake at Coreon Gate (Php168)
This seems to be among the more traditional bingsu variants, flavored by bean powder and given texture by the sliced almonds and chewy rice cakes.
This branch of Coreon Gate is located in the Metrowalk Complex, along Meralco Avenue, Pasig City.
Read my full restaurant review here.
Korean Red Bean Bingsu at Bing Seoul (Php59 for regular)
Another more traditional and mildly sweet bingsu variant, this is a no-frills, no-fuss serving (quite cheap too!), with flavor driven by the red bean paste and the dollops of condensed milk poured onto the ice.
This branch of Bing Seoul is located at the Ground Floor of SM City East Ortigas, along Ortigas Avenue Extension, Pasig City. (Update: A week after I posted this, I learned that the Bing Seoul stall at SM City East Ortigas has already been pulled out. The nearest other branch is located at SM Center Pasig.)
Ube Macapuno Bingsu at Bon Chon (Php99)
This bingsu variants melds Pinoy flavors with the Korean dish. Ube (purple yam) powder drives the flavor while additional textures are provided by the macapuno (coconut jelly) strings, cubes of leche flan and rice crispies. It would be best to try this out soon as it available only for the summer.
This branch of Bon Chon is located at Il Terrazo, along Tomas Morato, Quezon City.
Infographic courtesy of Mica Jose (IG: @dragostea)
Check out my rundown of Ramen joints in QC here.
Jellybeans in the City 