Mango Bingsu - A Korean Dessert Recipe | Greedy Gourmet (2024)

Mango bingsu is a beautiful dessert that combines flavored shaved ice, mango puree, fresh mangos and garnishes including mint, chili.

The shaved ice is made by freezing a mixture of sweet condensed milk and water, then blending it to create a frosting. This frosting is placed on the bottom of a glass or bowl.

Pieces of mango are then added to the shaved ice, before being topped with drizzled condensed milk and garnishes.

Traditional bingsu comes in a variety of flavors, not just mango. Others include strawberry, red bean, green tea, yogurt, coffee and even chocolate!

Mango bingsu comes from South Korea. In the summer, it's hugely popular. So much so, that you'll often find lines around the block outside restaurants and hotels, as people queue for a bowl of summertime bingsu.

In recent years, the popularity of bingsu has spread across the globe. You'll now find it in restaurants across Europe and in North America.

Keep an eye out for bingsu in Korean restaurants, cafes and bakeries. Better yet, follow the easy recipe below and make your own!

Aside from the Korean version, the Chinese also have their own version of a shaved ice dessert, known as baobing.

Bingsu is not actually a Korean invention. It actually originated in China, hundreds of years ago during the Joseon Dynasty. The practice of eating fruits with shaved ice came to Korea during Japanese occupation.

Modern bingsoo was popularized by the Tae Keuk Dang bakery, which opened in 1942 and is one of the oldest bakeries in South Korea.

It is rumored that the dish was made from US army surplus supplies and that modern bingsu became popular when it was sold by street vendors.

Nowadays, bingsu can cost as much as $50 per bowl in fancy 5-star hotels and fine dining restaurants in Korea.

Use your imagination! Add your favorite fruit, drizzle syrup or ice cream sundae sauce, add sprinkles, candy or, for a touch of Korean authenticity, red bean paste.

If you're feeling extra decadent, top with several scoops of soft vanilla ice cream!

Ingredients

UnitsScale

Mango Puree

• 1 ripe large mango
• ¼ red chili pepper [optional]
• 2 mint leaves

Korean Bingsu

• 400ml (1 ¾ cups) water
• 30ml (2 tbsp) condensed milk
• black sesame seeds, for garnishing [optional]

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

1. Frozen Ice: KitchenAid’s Shave Ice Attachment comes with 4 containers to freeze water in. Each container holds 200ml (⅘ cup) liquid. Fill two containers with water and place in the freezer for a few hours until frozen solid.
2. Mango Puree: Place half of the mango in a food processor along with the chilli, if using, and mint. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
3. Chop the remainder of the mango into cubes, which will be used for garnishing when serving the dessert.
4. Place the block of ice in the KitchenAid’s Shave Ice attachment and switch on the machine, watching as the ice transforms into snow into a bowl. Do it with both ice blocks.
5. Layer the dessert: Add a layer of ice in a dessert bowl, then drizzle with condensed milk and mango puree. Repeat, then garnish with mango pieces, mint, chopped chilli and black sesame seeds. Enjoy!

• The strength of chilli differs between varieties, so adjust the heat according to taste. If you don’t like hot stuff, simply omit the chili altogether.