Bingsu, a popular South Korean dessert, is a delightful treat that features finely shaved ice as its base, topped with a variety of sweet ingredients such as fruit, ice cream, and red bean paste. It’s a cool and refreshing dessert, perfect for beating the heat and satisfying your sweet tooth. 

Bingsu Bingsu, a recent addition to The Shops at Santa Anita, can be found at 400 S Baldwin Avenue #219. This dessert shop made its debut in the summer season and provides cozy seating with small tables for its customers. The shop is open from Monday to Sunday and operates from 12:00 – 9:00 p.m. 

The menu is a treasure trove of tasty options, and prices range from $5 to $15. It features traditional Korean beverages like Sikhye (rice punch) and HwaChae (fruit punch), as well as vanilla soft serve ice cream complemented by an array of toppings including matcha red bean, strawberry, mango, and Oreo. 

They also offer scrumptious “croffles,” which is a hybrid between a croissant and waffle served with ice cream and sauce, and Taiyaki (Japanese fish-shaped cake) with a variety of fillings such as red bean, custard, jalapeno cheese, Nutella, sweet corn, and chocolate. The true star of their menu is the extensive selection of bingsu variations, encompassing all their signature flavors, including mango, strawberry, black sesame, matcha brown sugar red bean, Oreo chocolate, red bean, and injeomi (rice cake made with sweet rice).

When I first walked into the dessert shop, I was greeted by a welcoming ambiance and friendly staff. The establishment was clean, and the service was both efficient and attentive. I had the opportunity to try their Signature Bibim Bingsu that consisted of various toppings such as kiwi, mango, strawberry, red bean paste, coffee jelly, cornflakes, mochi, and drizzles of condensed milk. The highlight of this bingsu was undoubtedly the texture of the shaved ice, which resembled fluffy, powdery snow. In addition to this, the toppings complemented each other perfectly and I loved how condensed milk was offered on the side, which allowed me to tailor the level of sweetness to my preference. 

I was also able to try the vanilla soft serve cream with strawberries. The ice cream was beautifully presented in a cone-shaped cup, topped with small bits of strawberry, and layered with cornflakes and strawberry syrup. The taste was perfectly balanced with the rich creaminess of the ice cream and the fruity freshness of the strawberries. 

“I got the mango bingsu. The level of sweetness was perfect,” shared junior Eric Jia. “I would love to go back again!”

“I tried the Signature Bingsu, and I liked how I could substitute the red bean paste for a different topping,” said junior Emma Wang. 

“I tried the Oreo ice cream, the presentation was very different from other dessert places,” shared junior Anas Yousuf. 

All in all, bingsu is more than just a dessert; it’s a sensory journey that combines refreshing coolness, an array of flavors, and an exciting mix of textures. I would definitely recommend Bingsu Bingsu if you are in need of relief from the heat or simply looking for a delicious treat!

Photo by Emma Chen