Where can you get bingsu? This Korean dessert is all the rage in Paris
With its light, airy texture, bingsu is the perfect dessert to cool you off this summer. And while the original recipe may be unconventional, its wide variety of toppings will delight even the most discerning palates.
Originating in South Korea, bingsu is a traditional dessert that first appeared during the Joseon period (1392–1910) as a result of trade with China. Made from chilled sweetened milk that is finely shaved to give it a snow-like texture that melts in the mouth, it is closely related to the Japanese kakigori, a dessert made of shaved ice drizzled with fruit syrup. Originally shaved by hand and topped with fruit, seeds, and sweet syrup, bingsu became a must-try treat prized by the Japanese elite for cooling the body during hot weather and gradually gained popularity over time, eventually becoming one of South Korea’s most iconic desserts.
Today, it comes in many different variations with a wide range of toppings, and its milk base is sometimes replaced with water, blending tradition with innovation.
The Must-Try Flavors of Bingsu
Patbingsu: Red Bean Bingsu
How can you enjoy bingsu without trying the traditional version, also known as patbingsu—a word derived from the Korean “pat” (meaning red bean) and the words “bing” and “su,” meaning “ice” and “water,” respectively? Traditionally topped with red beans served as a paste and garnished with tteok, small pieces of sticky rice cake. Classic bingsu remains the long-standing favorite and most popular flavor.
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Ddalgi bingsu: strawberry bingsu
Strawberries are among the most important and beloved fruits in Korea. Topped with frozen strawberries, the goal is to make it fresh and cold—a double dose of freshness guaranteed!
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Nokcha bingsu: green tea bingsu
Green tea is South Korea’s star flavor, so it’s only natural that it finds its place in bingsu, fully incorporated and blended into the shaved ice, which—instead of being white—is green, resembling a lovely bouquet of plants.
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Our selection of the best bingsu in Paris
Melané Paris (formerly Plus 82)
Tucked away on a quiet street in the 5th arrondissement, this small Korean café with its minimalist decor is the successor to the famous Plus 82, Paris’s first Korean café and a pioneer of bingsu.
Here you can enjoy the authentic injeolmi pat bingsu: bingsu sprinkled with soybean powder, topped with sweet red bean paste and soft tteok, as well as original creations like the Oreo bingsu, bingsu topped with pieces of Oreo cookies.
- Where? 11 bis rue Vauquelin, 75005 Paris
- Melané
Parisdabang
Immerse yourself in the world of the famous Korean dabang, a historic café that first opened in 1920 in South Korea and is designed for creative souls and artistic encounters.
This promise is brought to life by the Parisian café located in the 11th arrondissement, in a setting that’s both welcoming and minimalist. Here, in addition to savoring the original red bean bingsu and its variations—green tea or mango—you can explore the unique exhibitions on display and participate in the various workshops and other events offered by the café. A true gathering place for artists.
- Where? 6 rue de la Folie-Méricourt, 75011 Paris
- Parisdabang
BONPOT
A wide variety of flavors to choose from! The menu here offers a wide range of flavors such as taro, lychee, melon, and passion fruit, as well as unique toppings like tapioca pearls, fruit syrup, and coconut jelly—in addition to classic flavors and toppings. The icing on the cake: you can even add a touch of whimsy by decorating your bingsu with a mini ice cream bear in strawberry, coffee, or melon flavors.
- Where? 162 rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris
- bonpot.fr
