Patbingsu



Patbingsu (, -氷水, sometimes anglicized as patbingsoo, literally "red beans shaved ice") is a popular Korean shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings that may include chopped fruit, condensed milk, fruit syrup, and red beans. Varieties with ingredients other than red beans are called bingsu (or bingsoo).

The food originally began as ice shavings with red bean paste (known as pat, 팥). Many varieties of patbingsu exist in contemporary culture.

History
The early forms of patbingsu consisted of shaved ice and two or three ingredients, typically red bean paste, tteok, and ground nut powder. The earliest forms of patbingsu existed during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). Government records show officials sharing crushed ice topped with various fruits.

Variations
There are a variety of patbingsu types and flavors. Many bingsus do not necessarily follow tradition, and some do not include the red bean paste. Some popular flavors are: green tea, coffee, and yogurt.

Japan
In a teahouse in Kagoshima, someone made a "Shirokuma," which is said to have been named from the shape of pouring white condensed milk over the ice water in a round bowl and topped with fruits such as sweet red beans, cherries and tangerines from the top, looking like a face of a white bear.

Availability
Patbingsu can be found at most fast food restaurants, cafes, and bakeries in South Korea. Patbingsu is also a very popular dessert at cafes in Koreatowns around the world.