Shaved Ice in Korean: Bingsu (빙수)
What Korean Shaved Ice Is Called, What the Word Means & How to Say It
Quick Answer: What Is Shaved Ice Called in Korean?
Shaved ice in Korean is called bingsu (빙수) — pronounced "BING-soo". The word comes from the Sino-Korean characters for ice (빙, bing) and water (수, su). Unlike a snow cone, Korean bingsu is usually made from finely shaved frozen milk, giving it a creamy, snow-like texture, and it is served in a big bowl with toppings like sweet red bean, fruit, and mochi. The classic red-bean version is called patbingsu (팥빙수).
The Word "Bingsu," Letter by Letter
Meaning, Pronunciation & Spelling
From the Sino-Korean root for "ice." You will see it in other Korean words about cold things — like binggo (빙고), the royal ice houses of the Joseon Dynasty.
The Sino-Korean root for "water." Put together, bing + su literally means "ice water" — which is what the earliest versions of the dessert essentially were.
Add pat in front and you get patbingsu (팥빙수) — shaved ice topped with sweet red beans, the original and most iconic style of Korean shaved ice.
How to Pronounce It
Say "BING-soo" — two syllables, with the stress on BING. You will also see it romanized as bingsoo or bing su; they are all the same word, 빙수. There is no "correct" English spelling, but bingsu is the standard Revised Romanization used in Korea.
Korean Shaved Ice Vocabulary
The Words You Will See on Any Bingsu Menu
| Korean | How to Say It | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 빙수 | bingsu (BING-soo) | Shaved ice — the general word for the dessert |
| 팥빙수 | patbingsu (PAT-bing-soo) | Red bean shaved ice — the classic original |
| 눈꽃빙수 | nunkkot bingsu | "Snowflake" bingsu — ultra-fine shaved milk ice |
| 우유빙수 | uyu bingsu | Milk bingsu — made with frozen milk |
| 망고빙수 | mango bingsu | Mango bingsu — the summer favorite |
| 인절미빙수 | injeolmi bingsu | Bingsu with roasted soybean-powder rice cakes |
| 녹차빙수 | nokcha bingsu | Green tea (matcha) bingsu |
Spot the pattern? The topping name goes in front, and 빙수 (bingsu) stays at the end — mango bingsu, injeolmi bingsu, matcha bingsu. Once you know the word bingsu, you can read most of a Korean dessert menu.
How to Order Shaved Ice in Korean
Three Phrases That Always Work
"One bingsu, please." The simplest way to order — works at any cafe in Korea (or Koreatown, or Waikiki).
"Do you have red bean bingsu?" Use this to ask whether a shop serves the classic style.
"It's so delicious!" Say it after the first spoonful — trust us, you will mean it.
Is Korean Shaved Ice the Same as a Snow Cone?
No — and the difference matters. American snow cones and Hawaiian shave ice are made from frozen water flavored with poured syrups: crisp, icy, and refreshing. Korean bingsu is usually made from frozen milk, shaved into ribbons so fine they melt on your tongue like snow. It eats closer to ice cream than to a snow cone, and it is served in a large bowl made for sharing. Japanese kakigori sits in between — fluffy like bingsu, but water-based like shave ice.
Read the full comparison: Bingsu vs Shaved Ice vs Kakigori →Where to Try Bingsu in Waikiki
Taste the Word You Just Learned
You do not need a flight to Seoul to put your new vocabulary to work. At Kona Coffee Donut? on Kalakaua Avenue — about five minutes from Waikiki Beach — we shave Korean-style milk ice to order and pile it with toppings like sweet red bean, fresh fruit, injeolmi, and condensed milk.
Order a bowl to share after a beach day, pair it with 100% Kona coffee or a matcha latte, and say it like a local: "Bingsu hana juseyo!" We are open daily from 7AM to 9PM at 2142 Kalakaua Ave.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is shaved ice called in Korean?
What does "bingsu" literally mean?
Is it spelled bingsu or bingsoo?
Is Korean shaved ice the same as a snow cone?
Where can I try Korean bingsu in Waikiki?
Say It, Then Taste It
Creamy Korean bingsu, 100% Kona coffee & fresh mochi donuts — in the heart of Waikiki.