In the days when it was difficult to make and store ice, the dishes made with ice during summer was considered as a precious and luxurious food eaten by kings and nobles. However, in this summer of the 21st century, when ice is widely available, bingsu(shaved ice) made by shaving ice is capturing the palate of the younger generation as a luxurious food for “small indulgence”.

“It is as cool as dipping my feet in cold water when I see someone wrap a lump of ice, its coldness rising like smoke with a wet dishcloth. Moreover, the sweat on my forehead evaporates when I see the shaved ice falling down like snow.”
This is the content from an article titled “Bingsu” that Sopa Bang Jeonghwan wrote for the magazine <Byeolgeongon> in 1929. In the article, Bang Jeonghwan praised “a bingsu topped with red strawberry juice”.
Even now after about 100 years later, bingsu is still active in combating summer heat by removing the sweat off of the consumer’s forehead. Of course, it is not “a bingsu topped with red strawberry juice”. It is a healthy food made with luxurious and healthy ingredients. It is now more than just a dessert that cools you down. 

Patbingsu(shaved ice with red bean topping) and Nourishing Food

“Is patbingsu(shaved ice with red bean topping) a nourishing dish?”
According to the data released by the Rural Development Administration, food made with “red beans” helps in beating the summer heat. There is also a record in old literature of eating red bean porridge during sambok(midsummer) in the royal court.
Red beans are good for people who sweat a lot because they release heat from the body. It is the perfect food ingredient to cool off sweat. Also, it is rich in B vitamins, which help digest and absorb carbohydrates, improve fatigue, and prevent memory loss. Red bean’s saponins and choline are effective in controlling blood triglycerides. Its high potassium content helps in the smooth discharge of excess sodium and the removal of swelling and waste products from the body.
There is no better food to cool off sweat during summer than these nutritionally excellent red beans served on ice.

Patbingsu(shaved ice with red bean topping) and Halmaennial Generation  

“Do younger generations really like shaved ice with traditional ingredients such as red beans?”
One of the terms used to refer to the younger generations, the so-called MZ generation, is “halmaennieal”. It is a word that combines “halmae(grandmother)” and “millennials” meaning the millennials pursuing the “old grandmother’s style” in the necessities of life. Their palate is similar to that of grandmothers, so they pursue the nutty, slightly bitter, and bland tastes of food made with traditional food ingredients, including red bean, black sesame, mixed grain powder, mugwort, etc.
The younger generation pursues the grandmother’s palate for two reasons: the newtro(new + retro) trend that seeks new and fresh stimulation and experience from old things, and their deep interest in health. The health benefits of our traditional dishes that use raw ingredients are regarded as “valuable” to these generations. 
Thus, patbingsu(shaved ice with red bean topping) made with traditional tteok(rice cake) and topped with traditional food ingredients, such as bean flour, mixed grain powder, black sesame, mugwort, etc., is perfect for capturing the palate of the halmaennial generation. 

Bingsu and Flex 

The emergence of bingsu, which defies its concept, should not be overlooked. Nowadays, bingsu made with apple mango, milk tea, grapefruit, cheese, canola, coconut, kara citrus, etc., boasts of luxurious flavors and beautiful forms. These are also healthy bingsu dishes made with healthy ingredients. 
These bingsu dishes are currently causing a controversy over “how much is appropriate for a bowl of bingsu”. Despite the fact that it costs tens of thousands of won, the line of people waiting for these bingsu dishes became one of the news stories in the summer. Moreover, the option is expanding with bingsu for one person and vegan bingsu. 
This bingsu penetrates the flex culture that is popular among today’s young generation. “Flex” refers to showing off one’s success or wealth, and it reflects the consumption propensity of the young generation who boldly purchases items that they consider as valuable. An SNS post titled “This Year’s First Apple Mango Bingsu” contains the writer’s joy and pleasure of enjoying small indulgence by “flexing” a bingsu with a “luxurious flavor and form”. 
The price of bingsu is expensive, but that doesn't mean you have to pay for it with your entire monthly salary. Unlike the old days when only the upper class could enjoy this luxurious food, anyone can enjoy it now if they want. Bingsu has been reborn as a luxurious summer food that anyone can enjoy for a healthy summer.