Eating bingsu, a Korean milk-based shaved ice dessert, can be a chill way to cool down in hot weather. According to Daniel Gray, creator of a food blog called “Seoul Eats,” traditional bingsu since the 1950s has included shaved ice with toppings like sweetened condensed milk, fruit cocktail, cornflakes, sweetened red bean paste and rice cake. Modern versions of bingsu include flavors and toppings such as honeydew, corn, muscat grape, black sesame and red bean, strawberry cheesecake and wine bingsu, Gray said. With summer approaching, I decided to try the most traditional version of bingsu from three local spots. Each bingsu was reviewed based on taste, texture and price. 

Liquid Fusion Cafe (3375 Milwaukee Ave. Suite C, Northbrook, IL):

Packedwithfruits like watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe and kiwi, this refreshing bingsu had an enjoyable sweet and tangy flavor. A heaping amount of earthy red bean paste was buried under the fruit, pairing nicely with the creaminess of the milk-based shaved ice. The roasted grain powder inside the bingsu had a nutty flavor and dry texture that was balanced by smooth vanilla ice cream and soft mini rice cakes. Thisregular-sized red bean fruit bingsu costs $14 and is a larger-sized portion. 

Hey Yogurt (320 W. Half Day Road, Buffalo Grove, IL):

A fun spin on the traditional approach, this bingsu featured whole red beans and thicker-than-usual ice flakes made of yogurt. The flavor of the bingsu was mainly defined by the yogurt’s tartness, as the red beans were only on the top and bottom. The red beans, combined with a syrup, created a slightly sugary taste that is perfect for those who aren’t fans of overly sweet desserts.This red bean yogurt cup bingsu costs $7.50 and is a smaller-sized portion.

Tsaocaa (812 Civic Center Drive, Niles, IL):

Injeolmi powder, or roasted soybean powder, covered the top of this bingsu, blending well with the chewy mochi and the thin layer of red bean hidden at the bottom. I loved how this bingsu combined sweet and savory flavors, mixing the injeolmi’s nutty flavor with the sugariness of the milk-based ice flakes. Toasted coconut flakes were sprinkled over a salty cheese foam, adding a crunch to the silky ice shavings. This regular-sized injeolmi mochi milk bingsu costs $12.95 and is a mid-sized portion.