๋น์ (BingSu), Korea's favourite summer time treat, seems to be taking Malaysia by storm with places serving bingsu left right and centre as Koreans get a fix of their hometown love while people like js jisy flock at the concept of a different type of ice kacang which probably costs thrice the price of a normal ice kacang.
Bingsu, meaning "ice water" literally, is Korea's version of an ice kacang with the common one being patbingsu (ํ๋น์) which means red bean shaved ice.... which is what ice kacang is... of course Bingsu's nowadays come with a lot of flavours, with the current famous on in Korea being the iljeomi bingsu (์ผ์ ๋ฏธ ๋น์) since it's topped with multi grain powder, it appeals to the Korean market that craves for a "healthy dessert" or just like the taste in general. Another famoua on in Korea right now is of course, ๋ง๊ณ ๋น์ (mango bingsu) that focuses on... you guessed it - mango, since Mango is freaking expensive in Korea.
Bingsu cafe has been buzzing in the depths of my conciousness for quite some time. So when my Korean friend who came back from Australia for a visit told me she wanted bing su, the gates of the heavens rained upon me with an opportunity.
The place itself was of course nice. Simplistic setting but with bright vibrant colors makes the color loving minimlist in my nod in approval. Wifi is available on both floors of the shop as well.
First up of course as we would have it, everything was out of stock. Ok fine well not everything. My favourtie iljeolmi and mango were out. Strawberry were out and basically the good ones were out of stock. So looking at what else we had left to choose from, we ordered a Triple Berry Bingsu (RM 17.90).
Now despite how fancy and how new a Bingsu is, they always must have a few items which are essentials. It's like how you can't do ice kacanf without sirap bandung and evaporated milk. Similiarly, bingsu's have those items that make them essential as well such as ice cream on top, rice cakes, and of course, snow-like shaved ice that's fluffy and melts in your mouth. Some variations in korea that are common come with biscuits, wafer sticks, pockey's and condensed milk. Basically to make it the ultimate dessert.
The one im Bingsu cafe was far from ideal. It was mainly berries with flavoured ice and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Nothing else. Nothing to shout about. The bingsu in the KFC in korea did a better job and it cost less. It had nothing. It didn't have the rice cakes I loved so much. Sweet milk by the side, no cornflakes, nothing for a crunch factor, nothing.
If you think I'm being picky. My Korean friend (aha! See! I brought someone for credibility!) Just stared at me and said she probably could make a better one and it lacked many things.
So with that said, I guess the 100 yen shop shaved ice would probably be more worth it... and would cost less.