Hello, welcome! I’m so happy to have you here today to talk about mango bingsu. I love mangoes for their distinctive fresh sweetness, sourness, and fragrance that takes me to a tropical paradise. I also have mango sorbet and mango gelato recipes on my blog! 🥭
Growing up in Korea, I used to eat so much bingsu as a kid—mango bingsu, strawberry bingsu, patbingsu, you name it. Especially during the summer season when it’s so hot and humid in Korea, eating some soft, cold, and sweet bingsu would lift my mood instantly.
Recently, there have been so many Korean dessert cafes and restaurants popping up in Korea and expanding to the world, bringing traditional Korean desserts and drinks back to the modern days. That includes lots of Korean specialty lattes that I shared recipes on my blog, like sweet potato lattes, mugwort lattes, and bingsu, which is what we are going to talk about today!
So let’s talk about what bingsu is, its history, and the varieties of bingsu.
What is Bingsu?
Bingsu is a Korean shaved ice dessert with sweeteners and other toppings.
History of Korean Bingsu
In the past, the main ingredient of shaved ice was simply frozen water. It used to be coarsely shaved and therefore had the nickname “ice snack” (얼음과자 in Korean).
But now the coarsely shaved frozen water has been replaced by finely shaved frozen milk and it is called “snowflake bingsu.” Due to the modern production of very finely shaved milk, it literally feels like snowflakes that just fell from the snow in your mouth. And it also has a deeper flavor now because of milk usage.
The very traditional bingsu used to be “patbingsu,” meaning bingsu with azuki beans. It would have boiled red beans, powdered roasted bean powder, and some sweet rice cake on top as toppings. They are still one of the most loved bingsu varieties in Korea!
But now, there are so many varieties of Korean bingsu to capture everyone’s tastes all over the world.
Korean Bingsu
Korean bingsu, now in modern terms, is any shaved ice (usually frozen milk) with condensed milk as the main sweetener and other varieties of toppings.
In my opinion, one of the best-condensed milk recipes is Korean bingsu!
Bingsu Varieties
Now, there are so many different types of bingsu in Korea. And I’d love to cover them all on my blog! Here is a list of one of the most popular bingsu varieties in Korea.
- Patbingsu: With red beans, rice cake, and toasted soybean powder
- Injeolmi bingsu: With Injeolmi rice cake
- Mango bingsu
- Chocolate bingsu
- Strawberry bingsu
- Matcha bingsu
- Melon bingsu
Bingsu with fruits are especially popular during the season. So for instance, strawberries are harvested during January in Korea, and the strawberry bingsu are sold in many cafes, restaurants, and hotels!
So bingsu can be made with any toppings, but the key ingredients that make a bingsu a bingsu are these two: frozen milk as a base and condensed milk as the sweetener.
Korean Bingsu Recipe: 3 Main Ingredients
To make any good bingsu, you need these two main ingredients. Then it’s up to you to come up with some creative topping ideas.
1. Plant Milk
I suggest using plant milk for bingsu for many reasons.
First of all, plant milk is usually sweeter than regular cow milk. In a dessert recipe like this mango bingsu recipe, using plant milk would take your bingsu to the next level. It has a cleaner aftertaste as well. I personally love using sweetened soymilk for bingsu recipes to give a little more sweetness to my bingsu base. In this specific mango bingsu recipe, I used almond milk.
Secondly, it’s better for digestion. I’m lactose-intolerant, like many other people in the world. People don’t realize it so much, but I know so many people have a slight to pretty bad stomachache after eating ice cream or bingsu. In milk, there is more lactose than in any other dairy product. It can have more than 30 times more lactose than hard cheeses! So try using plant milk to enjoy your bingsu to the fullest.
Last but not least, plant milk is better for the environment and our planet.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get our plant milk for this delicious mango bingsu recipe!
You can also use condensed milk in a strawberry latte recipe!
2. Condensed Milk
🌟 My Choice of Condensed Milk 🌟
NATURES CHARM Sweetened Condensed Oatmilk, 11.25 OZ
This sweetened condensed oat milk is what I would recommend. With its subtle, gorgeous oat taste as an undertone, it goes so well with bingsu. Try it!
Why I Use Oat Condensed Milk
For the same reason as I mentioned above about using plant milk, I suggest using condensed plant milk. Yes, there is some condensed plant milk out there! I saw some condensed coconut milk, but they can add coconut flavor to your recipe, which is not very preferred when you want the other ingredients to be the center of the flavor.
So the one I recommend is the condensed oat milk.
3. Healthy Sweetener
My Sweetener Pick
WHOLE EARTH Monk Fruit Sweetener with Erythritol, Plant-Based Sugar Alternative, 12 Ounce Pouch
To follow this mango bingsu recipe, you need sugar. But instead of using regular sugar, I recommend using a healthy sweetener that only adds sweetness to bring out the best flavor of the ingredients.
Ninja Creami Bingsu Recipe
There is a bingsu machine that is specifically for shaving very light ice, but getting a machine that is solely dedicated to bingsu sounds like a little too much hassle. So there are a few alternatives.
You can make a shaved ice base of bingsu with a sturdy blender, or just by crushing ice from a frozen bag of milk.
The last option is having a Ninja Creami, an ice cream machine. I have this ice cream machine called Ninja Creami, and it is great for making bingsu. It has six options to make frozen treats: ice cream, sorbet, light ice cream, smoothie bowl, gelato, and milkshakes.
Alternative to Bingsu Machine
If you love a lot of frozen treats that are not restricted to bingsu, Ninja Creami might be a great machine to get. You can make a lot of homemade, fresh frozen treats personalized to your liking! This was a great investment for a vegan like me, as there are very few options I can take at a regular store or restaurant. You can read more about my honest review of Ninja Creami here.
My Ninja Creami Ice Cream Machine in my kitchen!
You really don’t need a lot of equipment to make this delicious mango sorbet! Just this Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker and a blender.
Bingsu Snowflake Base with Ninja Creami
When you follow my recipe, the base will look like this. It won’t have a fluffy snowflake “look,” but I guarantee it will be so smooth and melt in your mouth like bingsu!
Almond Milk Ninja Creami Recipe
Once you get Ninja Creami, it’s time for you to make as many frozen treats as you want!
One of the most popular Ninja Creami recipes is one with almond milk. In my opinion, almond milk has the closest taste to cow milk while having so many other health benefits and that might be why people love looking for almond milk Ninja Creami recipes.
So here is one of my recipes you can make with almond milk: Bingsu.
As the first bingsu recipe, I’ll introduce you to the mango bingsu recipe which is quite easy to make and absolutely delicious!
Korean Mango Bingsu Recipe | Almond Milk Ninja Creami Recipe
Korean Mango Bingsu Recipe with Almond Milk
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a Ninja Creami container, put almond milk and sugar. Mix. Let it sit for 10 minutes until the sugar dissolves.
- Put the mixture in the freezer for 24 hours. It is very important to freeze the milk base completely so it becomes shaved ice.
- Take the fresh apple mango and cut them into cubes. Set aside.
- Into a blender, put condensed milk and frozen apple mango. Blend until smooth. The mango sauce is ready.
- Take the almond milk bingsu base and select the ICE CREAM button on the Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker. Run the program.
- Take the pint out of the machine.
- Scrape off the almond milk bingsu base from the pint. Make sure to scrape it off, not take a big spoonful. It makes the milk base more flaky.
- Set the almond milk bingsu in the bowl.
- Pour the mango sauce. Then put the mango cubes on top of the bingsu.
- Optionally, you can put a mint on the top for decoration. Serve immediately.
Tips for Mango Bingsu Recipe 🥭
1. Make Sure to Freeze for 24 Hours
⚠️ This is very important! Please make sure to freeze your milk bingsu base completely. It should take up to 24 hours.
The milk base should be completely frozen so it can become shaved ice.
2. Run ICE CREAM Mode Once
Because the Ninja Creami ice cream machine is made for making ice cream, not bingsu, running the ice cream mode twice will make the base creamy, like ice cream. So run the ice cream mode only once to make the base icy and kind of fall apart.
3. Milk Base Melts Quickly
The milk base melts very quickly, so be sure to eat it right away! It has never been a problem for me, as I eat my bingsu in no time 😜
Three Layers of Mango Bingsu Recipe
These are the three layers of mango bingsu that can let you experience its flavor and a variety of textures. You can put the mango sauce as a topping, or even inside or on the bottom of the bingsu.
1. Shaved Iced Milk
What makes a great bingsu is the shaved ice milk, which is the very base of the bingsu. Each bite of bingsu should be so soft, light, and airy, melting instantly as you take a spoonful.
Made out of almond milk, this milky and slightly sweet flavor should be a canvas for your bingsu.
2. Mango Sauce
In the mango bingsu recipe, the mango sauce is like the jewel that crowns the dessert.
In many fruit bingsu, the sauce can be opted out and only the condensed milk can be used. But it definitely elevates the bingsu when there is sauce.
Made with ripe mangoes and blended with condensed milk until silky smooth, it has a beautiful golden hue and a rich milk flavor from the condensed milk.
Each spoonful of snowflake bingsu drenched in this mango sauce would be so full of intense sweet and tangy mango flavor!
3. Mango Pieces
Last but definitely not least, a mango bingsu wouldn’t be a mango bingsu without its mango pieces on top!
There are several ways to put the mango pieces on bingsu; the most popular way is to either cube or slice thinly on top.
It’s not only for garnish but the tropical aroma and flavor of fresh Mango are a must-have for the perfect mango bingsu experience.
You can use frozen mango cubes for this layer if you like. But remember to add more sweeteners if you are using frozen mangoes because they are usually less sweet.
Summary of Mango Bingsu Recipe
This Mango Bingsu is a great Korean dessert for anyone looking to indulge in a refreshing and flavorful treat that combines the best of both worlds—taste and health!
This delectable shaved ice dessert, bingsu, is topped with generous portions of apple mango, a mango variety known for its exceptionally sweet, juicy, and aromatic flavors. Bite into this juicy mango to elevate the bingsu experience, offering a rich, creamy taste that perfectly complements the light, fluffy snow-like ice and sweet condensed milk.
What sets this dessert apart from other desserts is not just its taste but also its health benefits! Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from apple mangoes, I think the mango bingsu recipe is a great dessert option for many who are looking for a light option. I love having this super refreshing mango bingsu on the summer days, without feeling the heaviness of traditional desserts.
Whether you are a fruit enthusiast or looking for a delicious, healthy, and light dessert option, this Korean mango bingsu recipe is a delightful choice!
Give it a try and let me know what you think! 🥭
Other Ninja Creami recipes you might like…
Strawberry Bingsu | Almond Milk Ninja Creami Recipe
Try this refreshing Korean frozen dessert, strawberry bingsu! Healthy and delicious with juicy strawberries, learn this simple almond milk Ninja Creami recipe.
Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream | Peanut Butter & Chocolate
Try this easy Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream, which is made of only six ingredients but tastes so wonderful! This recipe is packed with protein and plant power.
Chocolate Bingsu | Almond Milk Ninja Creami Recipe
Try this rich chocolate bingsu with easy homemade chocolate syrup, chocolate chips, and ice cream. You can also add brownies for more texture! Learn the recipe.
Other Mango Recipes on Kreamy Vegan’s Blog
If you are a mango lover like me, you might like these other mango recipes on my blog.
Best Homemade 3 Ingredients Mango Sorbet | Ninja Creami Recipe
Try this best mango sorbet recipe with only three ingredients using the Ninja Creami Ice Cream Machine. This is the perfect raw vegan dessert for you all!
Mango Gelato Recipe | Healthy Homemade Raw Vegan Dessert
Try this flavorful and creamy mango gelato recipe! This healthy and delicious raw vegan dessert is easy to make. Let’s go 🥭
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