If you are visiting Korea in summer, Bingsu is not optional.
Korea's shaved ice dessert, topped with fresh fruit and various accompaniments, is one of the most effective ways to escape the heat.
Over the past few years, nearly every hotel lounge in Seoul has introduced its own version, each with a distinct character and a flavour it can call its own.
These are five that I would personally recommend.
The Shilla Seoul
The Shilla's bingsu is perhaps the most iconic of all hotel bingsu in Seoul. The mango version has been drawing attention for years, built around fresh mangoes grown in Jeju Island. It is the one most people think of first, and for good reason.
JW Marriott Seoul
The Marriott's pear bingsu is something you are unlikely to find anywhere else. While most hotels gravitate toward mango or strawberry, the Marriott chose pear as its centrepiece. The natural coolness of the fruit carries through in every bite, making it one of the more refreshing versions on this list. It has apparently become a popular choice for the morning after a long night out, and it is easy to understand why.
Park Hyatt Seoul
Unlike most bingsu, which tend to rely on strawberry and condensed milk, the Park Hyatt takes a different direction entirely. Strawberry meets matcha, and the combination works better than expected. The dish itself draws from traditional Korean aesthetics, and the dry ice tray adds a visual element that makes the whole thing feel considered rather than merely decorative.
While I was eating, a Japanese guest at the next table asked how it tasted. I told them to order it. They did. That moment has stayed with me.
Mondrian Seoul
Mondrian offers several fruit bingsu options, but the watermelon is the one worth ordering. The natural coolness of the fruit amplifies the refreshing quality of the shaved ice in a way that feels almost too effective for a hot day. Portions are generous compared to other hotels, and the price point is notably reasonable. The basil ice cream served alongside it was an unexpected highlight.
10 Corso Como Seoul
Not a hotel, but worth including. The mango bingsu here has become something of a summer institution, drawing celebrities and regulars alike. Domestic fresh mango, a chocolate topping shaped like the fruit itself, and shaved milk ice come together in a combination that feels both classic and fully considered. The plating carries the unmistakable mood of Corso Como, which is, as always, part of the experience.