Easy Bingsu: Korean Shaved Ice

As summer rolls into southern California, I find myself wanting something cold and refreshing. Ice cream will always be an indulgent favorite, but when I want something lighter, Bingsu, or Korean shaved ice, always delivers. This recipe is kinder to the intestines for those of us who are lactose-sensitive/intolerant with the use of oat milk. Condensed milk adds sweetness and creaminess.

What is the base for Bingsu: Korean Shaved Ice?

Korean shaved ice is different from other types of shaved ice because the ice base that is being shaved is made of a milky base. Hawaiian shaved ice, on the other hand, uses water as a base for the ice, and then sweetened syrups are added to shaved ice for flavor. Most recipes for Korean shaved ice use some kind of milk as the base. I have seen some recipes where cereal milk is created by soaking cereal in milk until the flavors of the cereal leech into the milk. The mixture is then strained and frozen to become the base of the shaved ice. You can also use a plant-based milk to make it completely vegan, omitting the sweetened condensed milk. Just add about 1/4 -1/2 cup of sugar depending on your sweetness preference.

What are Toppings for Bingsu: Korean Shaved Ice?

• sweet red bean paste
• pieces of mochi, or sweet glutinous rice cakes
• condensed milk
• fresh fruit (strawberries, mangoes)
• canned fruits (lychees, longnan, peaches)
• the sky is the limit!

Bingsu: Korean Shaved Ice

A refreshing cold treat for hot summer days

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Freeze Time 8 hours hrs

Servings: 6 people

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Korean

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 1/8 cup condensed milk
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups oat milk

Fruit Puree

• 1 cup strawberries or mango cut
• 1 tbsp sugar

Toppings

• 2 tbsp Condensed milk
• 1 cup strawberries or mango coarsely diced

Equipment

• 1 blender or food processor

Method

 

1. Whisk together mixture for shaved ice: condensed milk, milk, and oat milk. Make sure that condensed milk is well-incorporated. Then place into ice cube trays and freeze for at least 8 hours until completely frozen.
   
2. Prepare fruit puree: add strawberries or mangoes and sugar into a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Place in refrigerator until serving time.
3. After shaved ice cubes are frozen solid, place them into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, like the consistency of a smoothie.
   
4. Serve into individual portions, and top with fruit puree and fresh strawberries (or chopped mango) and condensed milk.

For other cool and refreshing summer recipes, check out my Mediterranean salad recipe.