Where to try bingsu in Seoul, from classic red bean to matcha and mango mountains

When the Korean summer hits full steam, few things deliver sweet relief like a towering bowl of bingsu. Whether you’re a red bean purist or a mango maximalist, bingsu offers far more than a cold treat.

Here are five must-try bingsu spots in Seoul, from old-school classics to Instagram-ready creations. So grab a spoon, dig in and chill out.

Taegeukdang

■ Address: 7 Dongho-ro 24-gil, Jung District, Seoul

■ Phone: 02-2279-3152

■ Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

■ Website: @taegeukdang on Instagram

For a taste of nostalgic, classical patbingsu or red bean bingsu, Taegeukdang is the place to go. Founded in 1946, it is Seoul’s oldest bakery. Its bingsu replicates styles from the 1970s and 1980s, topped with canned fruit, corn flakes, sliced almonds, peanuts and tiny rice cakes.

Yeonnam Salon

■ Address: 122-1 Seongmisan-ro, Mapo District, Seoul

■ Phone: 02-332-3471

■ Hours: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., closed on Monday and Tuesday

■ Website: @yeonnam_salon2011 on Instagram

Yeonnam Salon’s matcha white chocolate bingsu is a social media favorite, featuring finely shaved matcha ice with white chocolate syrup. Other creative offerings include grapefruit milk bingsu (milk ice with grapefruit chunks and juice cubes) and peanut milk bingsu with peanuts coated in sugar and butter.

Coffee Kong

■ Address: 19 Dongil-ro 191ga-gil, Nowon District, Seoul

■ Phone: 050-71405-6164

■ Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday to Friday, noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday

■ Website: @coffeekong2011 on Instagram

Famous for its towering mango bingsu, Coffee Kong makes customers wonder how sweet but slippery mango cubes are stacked so high. Each bowl costs 19,000 won. Due to the seasonal supply of mangoes, visitors are advised to call ahead.

Tilde

■ Address: 14 Hangang-daero 84-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul

■ Phone: 050-71340-0857

■ Hours: Noon to 11 p.m., closed on Monday

■ Website: @tilde.cafe.wine on Instagram

Tilde’s matcha bingsu is known for its uniquely textured green ice that resembles a pile of delicate threads topped with three red berries.

Euljiro Moonduck Coffee

■ Address: 42-3 Supyo-ro, Jung District, Seoul

■ Phone: 050-71313-8904

■ Hours: Noon to 10 p.m. daily

■ Website: @moonduck_coffee on Instagram

Euljiro Moonduck Coffee serves a show-stopping pineapple bingsu inside a hollowed-out pineapple, topped with juicy pineapple balls — refreshing and highly photogenic.