식혜 Sikhye
A sweet, chilled rice drink made with barley malt, often sipped after a meal or at holidays.
Spice: Not spicy
Eumcheong (traditional drinks)
빙수 Bingsu
A large bowl of finely shaved ice, often made with milk, topped with sweet red beans or fruit and shared.
- Shaved Ice Dessert
- Spice: Not spicy
- Vegetarian option
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Finely shaved ice or frozen milk, sweet red beans, condensed milk, fruit |
| How it's served | A large bowl piled high with shaved ice and toppings, with a spoon for each person |
| Spice level | Not spicy — No chili heat. |
| Diet | Vegetarian option — The dish is meat-free, or a meat-free version is commonly served. Still check the broth and sauces. |
| Allergens | Milk |
| Ask about | Toppings vary: nuts, rice cakes, cheese and wheat-based cakes are common. |
| On the menu | 빙수 (Bingsu) |
| Also called | bingsoo · patbingsu · patbingsoo · Korean shaved ice |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Shaved Ice Dessert
Start before it melts
The ice melts quickly, so begin soon after the bowl arrives.
Mix or scoop from the top
Some people stir the toppings into the ice first. Others eat from the top down.
Share with your own spoon
Everyone eats from the same bowl, each with a separate spoon.
How to order it
Order it as 빙수. Menus list kinds such as 팥빙수 (red bean), and one person can order a bowl, though it is usually shared.
- On the menu: 빙수
- Usually sold: 1 bowl, usually shared
Where it comes from
In the Joseon era, ice was stored to keep food fresh, but no record shows people eating it sweetened. Bingsu came after Korea opened its ports to foreign trade, through Japanese merchants. Finely shaved ice topped with sweet red beans became the standard kind. Long a summer treat, it is now eaten year-round with many new toppings.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture (folkency.nfm.go.kr)
Similar dishes
수정과 Sujeonggwa
A cold cinnamon and ginger punch with dried persimmon, often served after meals and at New Year.
Spice: Not spicy
Questions about Shaved Ice Dessert
Is bingsu vegetarian?
Usually yes. Red bean and fruit bingsu have no meat, but most kinds contain milk or condensed milk, so it is usually not vegan.
Can you eat bingsu alone?
Yes. A regular bowl is large and usually shared, but some cafes sell a smaller size for one person.
What is the difference between bingsu and patbingsu?
Patbingsu is one kind of bingsu. It is the standard version topped with sweet red beans, while other kinds use fruit or other toppings.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 10, 2026