Bingsoo ice, a Korean dessert made of finely shaved ice with various delicious toppings, has transcended the borders of South Korea and become a global culinary sensation. It has soared in popularity in various countries, catching the attention of foodies with its freshness, tantalizing sweetness, and unparalleled variety of flavors.

A Brief History of Bingsoo Ice
Bingsoo ice, which means “shaved ice” in Korean, has a long history tracing back to the Joseon era (1392-1897). Originally, the dish was made from natural shaved ice served with sweetened red beans and sugar syrup. Over time, Bingsoo variations have continued to evolve with new toppings and flavors, making it a trendy dish enjoyed throughout Korea and the world. Bingsoo ice is usually served in a large bowl and is best enjoyed during hot weather. It can be enjoyed as an afternoon snack, an after-meal dessert, or even as a refreshing breakfast.

Characteristics of Bingsoo Ice

• Fine Shaved Ice: Bingsoo uses very fine shaved ice, almost like powdered snow, resulting in a soft texture that melts easily in the mouth.
• Variety of Toppings: Bingsoo offers a variety of interesting toppings, such as sweet red beans, fresh fruit pieces, rice cakes, chocolate sauce, fruit syrup, ice cream, and many more.
• Sweet and Fresh Taste: The combination of sweet shaved ice, delicious toppings, and a touch of cold results in an unforgettable fresh and sweet sensation.

Popular Bingsoo Ice Variant

• Patbingsoo: A classic bingsoo topped with sweet red beans, rice cakes, and sugar syrup.
• Injeolmi Bingsoo: Bingsoo topped with chewy rice cakes coated in soy bean powder and sugar syrup.
• Fruit Bingsoo: Bingsoo topped with fresh fruit pieces such as strawberry, kiwi, and mango.
• Chocolate Bingsoo: Bingsoo topped with chocolate sauce, chocolate ice cream and chocolate biscuit pieces.
• Cheese Bingsoo: Bingsoo topped with cream cheese, cheese sauce, and almond pieces.

Factors driving the popularity of Bingsoo

The main factors driving Bingsoo’s popularity are its freshness in hot weather, unique blend of flavors, compatibility with various tastes, ease of serving, and global culinary trends. Bingsoo is a favorite summer snack and an ideal choice for an impromptu dessert.

In many countries, Bingsoo offers a unique variety of local toppings. Vietnamese Bingsoo is topped with tropical fruits and coconut milk sauce, Indonesian Bingsoo is combined with durian and cassava tape, Thai Bingsoo is famous for mango sticky rice, and American Bingsoo offers creative topping variations such as s’mores and peanut butter and jelly.
The Bingsoo wave continues to grow, bringing freshness and a unique sweet taste sensation to foodies in various countries. Its popularity continues to rise as creative and innovative Bingsoo variations emerge, making the dish a symbol of cultural fusion and global flavors.

Exploring Sweet Heaven in Malang: Timtong Dessert Bar

Malang, besides being famous for its stunning natural attractions, is also a paradise for culinary lovers. One of the must-visit culinary destinations is Timtong Dessert Bar, a sweet oasis that is ready to pamper your tongue.

Located at Jalan Kawi No 22a, Gading Kasri, Klojen, Malang, Timtong was founded by Palitho Aventus, runner-up of MasterChef Indonesia Season 9. Born from the creative idea of Palitho and his partner, Timtong is here to fill the void of dessert bars in the Jalan Kawi area which is crowded with tourists.
Offering a variety of tempting dessert menus, Timtong is the perfect place for those who want to indulge in a delicious and refreshing dessert. One of the specialties is bingsoo, a soft Korean shaved ice topped with fresh fruits.

Timtong has a variety of bingsoo variants to try, such as oreo bingsoo, mango bingsoo, strawberry cheesecake, azumaki matcha, and many more. For lovers of sweet and sour flavors, the strawberry cheesecake bingsoo with its creamy and fresh texture is a must-order. Apart from bingsoo, Timtong also offers a wide selection of drinks that are equally tempting, such as cheese tea, fruit-based, and milk tea. For those who want a light snack, there are also puddings with various flavors such as apple crumble, coconut pudding, and black sesame pudding.

Interestingly, Timtong also offers misoas, thin noodles made from wheat flour, and other snacks such as mango sago and sweet potato fries. The prices offered by Timtong are worth it for a fairly filling bingsoo portion. Bingsoo is priced from Rp 38,000 to Rp 61,000, cheese tea from Rp 20,000, and small bites from Rp 25,000. Timtong is open every day from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, ready to welcome culinary lovers who want to enjoy a delicious and instagramable dessert.

Timtong’s interior design is quite aesthetic with the dominance of white and green colors, presenting a comfortable and instagramable atmosphere. Visitors can also choose to sit in the indoor and outdoor areas according to their taste. For those who come by private vehicle, Timtong provides a large parking area. Access to Timtong is also fairly easy, only 1.7 kilometers from Malang City Square and 3.4 kilometers from Malang City New Station.

So, what are you waiting for? Visit Timtong Dessert Bar and experience an unforgettable sweet sensation in Malang! Btw this is not endorsed hehe, but this is based on the reviews I got.