Patbingsu is a dessert that has withstood the test of time, a beloved summer treat that has as many variations as there are cafes in Seoul (and that’s a lot). You’ll find patbingsu with cornflakes, oreos, pumpkin, all manner of fruits and jellies, but the original (and best) version is simple shaved ice with red bean and a little milk, plus maybe some chewy rice cake.
Okrumong has made good use of the retro fever taking hold of Korea with its old-fashioned signboard, traditional bronze dishes, and an almost-classic patbingsu made with local red beans boiled on-site in a giant cast-iron cauldron. Their one concession to modernity? The shaved ice is actually finely shaved frozen milk, which we think is an excellent upgrade—it’s oh-so-smooth, and the milk flavor is distributed evenly throughout the entire dessert.
Patbingsu isn’t the only thing on their menu: Their baked rice cakes are a chewy, healthier alternative sweet, and in winter, they also serve red bean porridge (a must-eat at New Year’s for good luck). Thanks to its popularity, Okrumong quickly became a chain—and the more patbingsu we have, the better, we say.