We've introduced a variety of shaved ice flavors, but did you find one you liked? This time, we'll introduce something a little more affordable. We'll be introducing Korean-style shaved ice, "patbingsu."
In Korea, where spicy food is a common habit, something cold and sweet after a meal is the perfect thing. The name comes from the Korean word "bingsu" (ice) containing "pat" (red bean), and the classic flavor is, of course, red bean shaved ice. Apparently, it's a very popular dessert among locals.
A shop where you can enjoy patbingsu has now opened in Japan. It's served by "Caffe Bene." Caffe Bene is a cafe chain that originated in Korea and has since expanded to over 1,100 locations worldwide, primarily in Asia, including the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia. In Japan, the first store opened at Haneda Airport in December 2013, and the second store opened in Akasaka on June 25th of this year (1F Hitotsugi Lip, 4-3-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo). In addition to "Pattibingsu," the cafe also offers "Mango Tropical Bingsu" (580 yen each). Pattibingsu is a lightly sweet shaved ice made with milk-based ice topped with red bean sauce, chewy shiratama (rice flour dumplings), corn flakes, and gelato. There are eight types of gelato toppings, including tiramisu, silly pistachio, rare cheese, and chocolate fondant, so you can choose your favorite flavor. Meanwhile, Mango Tropical Bingsu is a shaved ice topped with mango and peach sauce, replete with a tropical aroma. The fruit sauce is generously distributed all the way to the bottom, allowing you to enjoy it to the very last bite. Both are characterized by their fine, powdery snow-like ice appearance and soft texture that melts instantly in your mouth. Relax in a relaxing cafe and cool down with some Korean-style shaved ice to beat the hot summer!