There's just nothing quite like a heaping bowl of pat-bingsu to cool you down on a hot summer's day. Unfortunately, it has been years since I last indulged in this classic Korean summer treat because most bingsu's are drowning in condensed milk or are topped with scoops of dairy ice cream. If I had an ice-shaving machine, I would be making glorious mountains of vegan bingsu daily. Believe me, I have given many-a-thought to purchasing one, but have stopped myself after realizing that my kitchen is too cramped for yet another counter-top gadget.
So yesterday, my sister and I were determined to eat patbingsu, so we headed to none other than my favorite vegan-friendly coffee shop, Cafe Mano. There are other places that have simple bingsu with just fruit puree, but I was in search of something with vegan milkiness, so Cafe Mano was the place to go. I have blogged about this cafe several times and it has become my favorite vegan-haven in Seoul. Like an oasis in a desert.
This is their 'pat-bingsu' (7,000 won). It looks a little different from most Korean pat-bingsu's because the ddeok and vegan jelly cubes are so big. The size of ice cubes! They also have a 'fruit bingu' on the menu, which I'll be sure to order on my next visit.
The ice shavings were infused with vegan creaminess that blended perfectly with the soft red beans.
White pillows of ddeok on a bed of snow~ (my attempt at being poetic)
After everything was good and mixed up, we dove in! Oh my goodness. This was so amazingly delicious and totally crave-worthy. I haven't been able to stop thinking about this since! The sweet beans, the creamy ice, the chewy ddeok and jellies... ahhh~ Pat-bingsu!! Oh, how I've missed thee!
We also each got some coffee: Iced soy latte and americano.
After several years, my pat-bingsu craving was finally satisfied. Mission accomplished.