#cafe coin

[yakorea]

Still so hot? You need these desserts

This dessert will keep you cool and chill. Bingsu has evolved to become the must go to dessert when everything is just a little too warm for you. Gone are the days of simple toppings. Now there is so many variations out there, you couldn’t possibly count them all. The basic bingsu would be a red bean bingsu or a yogurt bingsu. And then it can quickly get more complicated. Yes, We all know its September and technically autumn, but it is still hot out there. Bingsu is the perfect dessert to cool you down when you are on the verge of overheating. Try this popular bingsu cafes!

Homilbat (호밀밭):

Homilbat is found in Sinchon. This place makes their own red bean paste from the ground up. No relying on canned goods here. The must eat item on the menu here is the milk bingsu. The flaks are so small and soft. Goes really well with red beans. Refills of red beans are available. An always popular spot for dessert, there is always some kind queue outside during the hotter days. Milk bingsu costs about 5,500won. There is also green tea and coffee bingsu to try too. The café is quite small actually. Worth the wait though if you are ok with waiting.

Okrumong (옥루몽):

Found by Sangsu station. Okurumong has a great red bean bingsu. They make sweetened red bean everyday in big pots in-house. Which is not as common as you would think. Every item on the menu is served on traditional dishes to keep the temperature suitable. The bingsu costs from 6,500won to 9,000won and the portion can fill 2 people up. A highly popular place thanks to its simple menu. Expect a queue at peak times. If you are unsure about eating red bean, you can ask to have it in a separate bowl from the bingsu.

Pop Container (팝컨테이너):

This Sinchon dessert café can be found on the 2nd floor nearby Megabox cinema. If you love your chocolate snacks like oreos, this Pop Container is calling you. The oreo bingsu is the most sought after item on the menu here, and though it is expensive, it is highly nutritional for your sweet tooth. Expect to pay 13,00won. But while it may seem expensive, the portion is enough to feed you and 2 of your friends. The Nutella pancake too is another delicious item to please your sweet tooth. Goes great with an Americano. The seating arrangement here is actually quite cool. Gone are the formal wooden chair and instead you are welcomed to sit down on bean bags. Anyone on a diet, be warned! The Nutella pancake is 7,000won and there is also  a drinks menu.

BingBingBing (빙빙빙):

This place sells the traditional style of bingsu, ice sherbet mixed with red bean or other toppings. Using milk as its base, milk ice flakes are used here instead of the regular ice flakes. Which gives a softer texture and taste for customers to enjoy. Another positive point to this café is that they actively use organic fresh ingredients. The sweet red been is the no.1 item here to try. Milk bingsu is 5,500won and Red bean bingsu is about 6,600won.

Sobok Café (소복카페):

This café is deep in the heart of Hongdae. The interior is a bit peculiar in that it gives off the vibe of a church for some odd reason. But that is not the important issue here. They have delicious and healthy vanilla ice cream which you can get with pumpkin toppings, dried permission fruit, rice cakes and so on. On the menu there is ice cream, snowflake bingsu and injeolmi ice ball.  Prices start from 5,200won. The rice ice cream is a must try.

Danggojib (당고집):

Another Hongdae café, the difference with this one is that they use organic ingredients and everything is prepared by the staff in the café. The Sakura bingsu is the signature dish here. That obviously should remind of the cherry blossoms. Another interesting thing about this café is that they serve Japanese style cocktails. Prices for items on its menu go from 1,500won to 8,000won. The sweet red bean danggo bingsu too is worth a try if you come here a second time. The danggo is a traditional Japanese snack you could try separately too if you wish.

Café Coin (카페 코인):

A bingsu café found in Myeongdong. An oldie but oh so good café that has been going strong for years and years. They also have branches in Ehwa, Sinsa and Samcheongdong. A great spot to stop by after you have completed your shopping. Put those feet up and enjoy a chilled snack to relax. The interior is beautiful with art from around the world. The menu is expansive so you will not be short on selection. A popular bingsu item is the green tea bingsu. The green tea ice cream is homemade. Local foodies consider its green tea bingsu one of the best bingsus you can eat in Seoul. This café appeared on the famous Korean drama “Answer me 1994”. Bingsu is from 10,000won to 18,000won. It is for 2 people so don’t get it alone unless you are up for a big challenge. The teas, coffees and smoothies are great too. Great staff and great atmosphere. You won’t regret going here, not one bit.

Hongdae Dalsuda (홍대 달수다):

Another great bingsu café located in Hongdae. This spot is famous for the way they prepare the red beans for the bingsu. They boil the red beans beforehand. Recently, they introduced a new item to the menu called ‘Mexican grilled corn’, which is grilled corn sprinkled with cheese and chilli powder, giving it a special kick. Over the summer, you would have to wait 20-30 minutes to even get a look in at this place. It should be more available this time of year. Give it a go soon. They have watermelon, tree nuts, green tea and more flavours to try with your bingsu. Bingsu costs from 7,000won to 9,000won.

Mealtop Bingsu Sinchon (밀탑빙수):

This Bingsu café is known for its traditional bingsu recipe, sherbet ice mixed together with red bean. You can find this café on the 10th floor of Hyundai Deptmartment Store in Sinchon. The atmosphere of the café is a great compliment to the bingsu which will send a nice cool chill down your spine. Prices go from 6,000won to 7,000won. You can try milk bingsu (highly recommended), strawberry bingsu, coffee bingsu among others.

Sulbing Hongdae (설빙 홍대점):

This café actually has several branches spread out over Seoul, Busan and other cities too. It is really popular thanks to its star item, Injeolmi Bingsu ( Ice flake with bean powdered rice cake). This is hands down the most popular item on its menu. The shaved ice and touch of milk to the mix is perfect recipe to cool down. This will help you reset after a bout dealing with the late summer heat. This bingsu franchise originates out of Busan. Injeolmi Bingsu is only 7,000won and the injeolmi toast is only 4,500won. The portion is quite big too, so don’t worry, there should be enough for your friend too.

There is a lot of these dessert cafes out there. Pick wisely and enjoy a piece of heaven away from the Sun.