제일 맛있는 팥빙수!

Maddie's guide to 팥빙수s (pronounced 'pat-bing-su') in Korea!

I have many friends creating lists of the best patbingsu they've had in Korea so I decided to create my very own list too, for the benefit of anyone who's travelling to Korea as well as my future travels (memory's not perfect haha) :D

1. 희동아 엄마다 ** (the BEST bingsu I've ever had in Korea)

Chocolate Mochi Cake (a tad too pricey for my liking)

Where: Seoul, Jongno-gu Sogyeok-dong 104
서울 종로구 소격동 104
General location (and nearest train station): Samcheongdong, Anguk Station (Line 3)
Yummy meter:
The slightly sweet ice is extremely delicate and melts in your mouth instantly. Apart from the great consistency of the ice's texture, there is a layer of red beans and peanut powder sandwiched in the bowl of ice, ensuring that every scoop comes with an even mixture of ice, milk, red beans and peanut powder. Absolutely lovely dessert. It is definitely on the pricey side - a normal patbingsu costs around 6000-8000W but this costs 12,900-13,900W ($16-17). Definitely worth it though!
How to get there: (I used GoogleMaps)
Take Exit #1 of Anguk Station, walk straight past Starbucks (around 400m) till one reaches the fork at Yulgok-ro-3-gil. One will pass by Songadang (red signboard on right) and Ming Wen Tang (blue signboard on left). Turn left (Gallery Plant on right), walk straight and turn right when one sees Guk Dae Tteokpokki. Cross the junction to Paris Baguette and continue walking along the street. The café is down an alley on the left.

To learn more: Visit this site (it has a map with an aerial view of the Samcheongdong area) and this blog for more information.

2. 호밀팥
Where: 4-77 Changcheon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 서대문구 창천동 4-77
General location (and nearest train station): Sinchon, Sinchon Station (Line 2)
Yummy meter:
How to get there:
To learn more:

3. 팟팟팟 (PodPodPod)

Where: 52-85 Changcheon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 서대문구 창천동 52-85
General location (and nearest train station): Sinchon, Sinchon Station (Line 2)
Yummy meter:
How to get there:
To learn more:

4. Holly's Coffee (Red Bean Patbingsu)

Where: Everywhere (just keep a look out for the cafe!)
General location (and nearest train station): Sinchon, Dongdaemun, Myeongdong Stations etc.
Yummy meter:
I love the dried dates chips!!! CRUNCHYYYY!
How to get there:
To learn more:

5. 밀탑 (MealTop)

Milk bingsu (top); Mixed fruits bingsu (bottom)

Bestseller: Milk bingsu
Where: 83 Sinchon-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Hyundai Department Store, Sinchon branch, 10/F, Seoul, South Korea
General location (and nearest train station): Sinchon, Sinchon Station (Line 2)
Other recommended locations (main branch): Hyundai Department Store, Apgujeong branch, 5/F, 429 Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu (강남구 압구정동 429 현대백화점본점 5층) Click here for directions.
Yummy meter:
How to get there:

Take exit #1 at Sinchon station (Line 2). Walk straight and Hyundai Department Store should be on your right. Enter the Hyundai Department Store and take the lift to the 10th floor. [Tip: Store closes really early - around 8 or 9pm - so do visit it earlier!]

6. 설빙 (Seolbing or 'snow ice')
Where: Mapo-gu, Seogyodong, 358-37, Level 2 (I don't remember it being on the 2nd floor though)
General location (and nearest train station): Hongdae, Hongdae Station
Other locations: Sinchon, Ewha, Gangnam etc.
Yummy meter:
I tried 2 types of Bingsu
How to get there:
To learn more: If you're not salivating by now, you need to read this.

7. Cafe Benne

Where: Everywhere! (just keep a look out for the cafe)
General location (and nearest train station): Hyehwa Station, Sinchon Station etc.
Yummy meter:
I tried 2 types of bingsu - chocolate and oreo (please skip the latter if you have to eat your bingsu here). The ice was so coarse and hard, we had to bite down hard on them with every mouthful (texture worse than ice kachang!). It didn't feel like we were eating shaved ice, rather it tasted like bits and pieces of ice. The only redeeming point of the chocolate bingsu was that it came with brownie chunks and cornflakes (!!) so at least, it was enjoyable. The oreo bingsu was forgettable - just imagine layers of ice bits and crushed oreo. That's basically what it was.
How to get there:
To learn more:

8. 달수다 (Dalsuda)
Where: 366-12. Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
General location (and nearest train station): Hongdae, Hongdae Station (Line 2)
Yummy meter:
How to get there:
To learn more: Visit this site to find out more about the types of bingsus offered and directions/map to the place.

9. Choco Blossom Café
Where:
General location (and nearest train station): Sinchon, Sinchon Station (Line 2)
Yummy meter:
How to get there: Take the subway to Sinchon Station (Line 2) and exit via U-Plex Departmental Store (which exit number?). Upon exiting the station, you should see a huge red mirror. Cross the road right next to the mirror towards the Nature Republic store. You should see a wooden installation (where people can sit). Walk straight for 200-250m (~5-7 mins) until you see a Tofu Soup place (insert picture). Turn right into the side street and you will see the stairs leading to Choco Blossom on your right (basement!).
To learn more: For very detailed directions (with photographs of the streets), please visit this site!

10. 옥루몽
Where:
General location (and nearest train station): Sinchon, Sinchon Station (Line 2); Dongdaemun Design Plaza walkway, Dongdaemun Station
Yummy meter:
How to get there:
To learn more: This blogger has a pretty comprehensive review of this place here.

11. (hmm bingsu place in Sinchon where I met Zenn)
Where:
General location (and nearest train station): Sinchon, Sinchon Station (Line 2)
Yummy meter:
How to get there:
To learn more:

Sinchon is teeming with bingsu cafés right now.

For more recommendations (if the sugar rush from above is still not enough), you can check out these articles: <6 best bingsu to beat the heat>, <9 Mega Awesome Places to Get Patbingsu in Seoul> and Seoul Eat's post! ^^ (slurps)