The First Bingsu of the Year: A Nutty Black Sesame Surprise!
Yesterday, after a satisfying lunch, I finally had my first Bingsu of the year!
Bingsu is a beloved Korean dessert made of finely shaved ice (often milk-based) topped with sweet ingredients like red beans, fruit, or condensed milk.
It seems like the variety of Bingsu in Korea gets more creative and “extra” every single year. Yesterday, I tried something a bit more unique: Black Sesame Bingsu (Heukimja Bingsu).
Since it was my first time visiting this brand-new dessert shop, I was half-curious and half-worried—thinking, “What if it’s not worth the price?” But as soon as I took a bite, all my worries melted away! It was so delicious that I just had to rush over here and share it with you all.
The Secret of the 3-Layer Black Sesame Bingsu
These days, most Bingsu shops use shaved milk ice, so I was quite shocked to see solid ice cubes being used here! I was initially worried it might taste a bit bland compared to milk ice, but you can toss those worries aside.
The Bingsu is served in a large bowl with three distinct layers. Between each layer of ice, they generously add syrup and rice cakes, ensuring the flavor remains rich and consistent until the very last bite!
Even though it was prepared with so much care, I think it took me less than five minutes to finish. It was so delicious that my spoon just wouldn’t stop. ;)
What impressed me most was the black sesame execution. I’ve always loved black sesame rice cakes for their nuttiness, and this shop had the brilliant idea of drizzling black sesame syrup between the layers and topping it all off with a velvety black sesame foam. It was a masterclass in nuttiness!
From Classic Red Bean to Luxury Mango: The Evolution of Bingsu
While Bingsu originally started as Pat-bingsu (shaved ice with sweet red beans), it has evolved into an incredible variety of flavors.
A few years ago, the Apple Mango Bingsu from the Shilla Hotel became a massive sensation. It was famous for being packed with an overwhelming amount of perfectly ripe, sweet mangoes. At the time, it was priced around $37, but now the price has soared to over $60! Despite the luxury price tag, its popularity was truly undeniable, with people lining up just to get a taste.
But as for me? I decided to make my very own “luxury” version at home! Haha. I froze some milk, shaved it into a fluffy base, added a generous drizzle of condensed milk, and topped it with an abundance of perfectly ripe apple mangoes. As you can imagine, the taste was absolutely heavenly. ;)
The Perfect Cool-Down: Two Best Gelato Spots in Seongsu-dong
It feels like Korean summers are getting hotter every year. In the past, the heat was mostly characterized by heavy humidity, but lately, the sun has become incredibly piercing and intense, even when the humidity isn’t that high.
When you’re walking under that stinging sun, nothing hits the spot quite like a cold treat. Personally, I prefer Gelato or Sorbet over heavy, creamy ice cream. My love for it started in Italy—if you ever visit Italy, gelato is a definitive must-eat!
Since I’m such a fan, I’ve picked out two Gelato spots in Seongsu–dong that are perfect for cooling down when you’re exhausted from exploring all the trendy pop-up shops and boutiques.
<Aga Gelato> A Sweet Gift for Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Aga Gelato is renowned for its rich, pure flavors made from premium organic milk and fresh seasonal ingredients. Their signature charm is the complimentary “tasting scoop” added to every order, allowing you to sample extra flavors from their creative lineup. With its perfectly chewy texture and refreshing fruit sorbets.
After exploring the area, I decided to pack some gelato to bring home for my son. To my delight, they included three mini “tasting scoops” as a bonus! It was the perfect little palate cleanser. My tasting set included Mandarin Sorbet, Strawberry Sorbet, and Pistachio Gelato—these refreshing flavors are simply unbeatable during the hot summer months.
<Dangdo> The Perfect Sweet Escape After a Spicy Korean Meal
If you find yourself near the Seongsu-dong Cafe Street—or if you’ve just finished a tour of the SM Entertainment building—this is the place to go. Dangdo (당도) is a beloved local gelato spot with a dedicated following.
Right next door, there’s a popular restaurant serving spicy stir-fried squid and pork (Jeyuk-bokkeum). Whenever I eat there, stopping by Dangdo for gelato afterward is an absolute must. There is simply no better combination than following up a fiery, spicy Korean meal with a cool, sweet dessert. It’s a mandatory ritual for the perfect dining experience!
Summer Craving: The Refreshing World of Matcha & Green Tea
When summer arrives, I find myself craving the flavors of Green Tea and Matcha more than ever. There’s something uniquely refreshing about that signature bittersweet taste and the vibrant “green-green” color that instantly makes everything feel cooler.
As I’ve shared before, I often have those days where I’m completely obsessed with all things Matcha. Whether it’s a latte, a dessert, or even just a simple tea, the clean and crisp energy of green tea is the perfect antidote to the summer heat. ;)
The Green Shock: Perilla Leaf Smoothie?
Speaking of the color green, let me tell you about a summer dessert that even shocked me as a Korean! When I first visited a cafe in Seongsu–dong called <Iridescent> (이리데센트) shortly after it opened, the owner recommended a menu item that left me speechless: the “Perilla Leaf Smoothie.”
For those of you who might not be familiar, Perilla leaves (Kkaet-nip) are a staple in Korean cuisine. We usually eat them as a wrap with grilled pork belly (Samgyeopsal). You can think of it as a uniquely Korean herb with a very distinct, refreshing aroma.
But even for me, hearing “Perilla Leaf” and “Smoothie” in the same sentence was quite a shock! I’ve always thought of it as a vegetable for mealtime, so meeting it at a cafe was both shocking and intriguing. And the taste? It was actually surprisingly good!
Soak Up the Seongsu Vibe with a One-of-a-Kind Treat
On a beautiful sunny day, this cafe opens up its large floor-to-ceiling windows, making it the perfect spot to sit back and soak up the trendy, energetic vibes of people passing by in Seongsu–dong.
While the atmosphere alone is worth the visit, trying this “perilla leaf smoothie”—a menu so unique that it’s surprising even to Koreans—will add a whole new layer of fun to your trip. It’s a special kind of experience that you can truly only find in a creative neighborhood like this!
Here’s the part that made me absolutely burst into laughter: the owner’s specific “instructions” on how to enjoy this smoothie.
He told me that I should wrap a spoonful of the smoothie inside a fresh perilla leaf, just like the way we wrap grilled pork belly (Samgyeopsal) at a Korean BBQ! Can you believe it? Haha!
The instruction to “wrap your dessert in a leaf” was so unexpected and hilarious. It felt like a playful nod to Korean food culture, turning a simple drink into a fun, interactive “dessert wrap” session. If you’re looking for a good laugh and a truly unique tasting experience, you have to try this!
Summer’s Secret Gem: The Refreshing Green Tangerine
Now, back to our main topic—summer desserts! While there are countless summer fruits we all know and love, I want to introduce you to a special one that truly captures the essence of freshness: the Green Tangerine (Cheong-gyul).
Unlike the typical orange tangerines you see in winter, these are only available for a very short window during this season. They have a vibrant, forest-green peel that holds a surprisingly bright and tart yellow fruit inside.
Because they are so seasonal, it might be a bit tricky to find the fresh fruit in regular markets. However, keep your eyes peeled for cafes that serve Green Tangerine Ale (or Ade) made from handmade syrups. It’s a sparkling, zesty treat that defines the taste of a Korean summer!
The Final Summer Treat: Super Sweet Corn (Chodang Oksusu)
To wrap up my summer dessert series, I have something special that sits perfectly between a sweet treat and a light meal: Super Sweet Corn, known in Korea as Chodang Oksusu.
This isn’t your average corn. It has a much higher sugar content and a unique texture. While you can lightly steam it like regular corn, the real magic is that you can eat it raw! It has an incredible crunch, and with every bite, a sweet, juicy flavor bursts out—it’s truly a seasonal delicacy. Every summer, Korea goes through a “Super Sweet Corn Craze.”
It’s also the ultimate “lazy” summer snack. You can just peel it and eat it raw from the mart, or pop it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. Since you don’t need to use the stove in this sweltering heat, it’s the perfect fuss-free snack for the season!
For many of us in Korea, the ultimate summer memory is visiting our grandmother’s house in the countryside. I still remember lying on the Daecheong–maru (a traditional wooden porch), feeling the cool breeze, and playing the “harmonica” with a cob of freshly steamed corn. It’s a nostalgic sentiment that’s hard to find in today’s urbanized world, yet it remains a precious piece of our childhood.
I’ve shared a collection of my favorite Korean summer treats today—from trendy gelato to traditional seasonal gems. Which of these was the most surprising to you? I’d also love to hear about any unique summer snacks from your part of the world!
Seoul is now gearing up for the full heat of summer. Let’s all stay healthy, eat well, and enjoy the season to the fullest!
From Seoul, as summer approaches, MJay
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