Aka, Patbingsu and Bingsoo.

Almost every Asian culture, both East Asian and Southeast Asian, has its shaved ice dessert topped with their local fruits and sweets. This includes Korea with their heaping bingsu bowl. Read the bingsu history and origins of the famous Korean shaved ice.

Bingsu History & Origins

It all started a long time ago, around 3000 BC, when locals in China gathered snow in a bowl and topped it with honey and fruit. This was the original ice dessert which was enjoyed during the summer months..and even the winter months.

This cold treat was later introduced to Korea during the Joseon Dynasty when Koreans were under the rule of the Japanese. Government officials would shave the ice from a royal ice box and serve it with fruit. The red bean was added for an additional touch of sweetness. In fact, “patbingsu” translates to “red bean ice flakes.”

During the Korean war, foreign influences led to the addition of nuts, rice cakes, cereals, and syrups.

An original and traditional bingsu comprises of shaved ice, red bean paste, tteok (rice cake), and ground nut powder.

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