When bingsu first hit the shores of Singapore, that few pioneering outlets saw snaking queues every day for months.

For the uninitiated, bingsu is a Korean shaved ice dessert. It often comes in a sharing bowl; the shaved ice may or may not be flavoured, and piled with toppings on top such as fruits and nuts.

Perhaps this was because Singaporeans have a tendency to follow where the crowd goes or maybe it was just that innate willingness to queue for food. After all, “if there is a queue, it must be good,” right?

However, would you go out of the way to satisfy your craving for a sweet ice treat or really, do you still have a craving for bingsu? Is the Korean bingsu trend still alive and how long will it last?

#1 WHY THE SHAVED ICE WAS POPULAR

It does not seem curious at all that bingsu quickly grew in popularity the moment it was introduced in Singapore.

Before the bingsu came, we had shaved flavoured ice from Taiwan and it was a perennial favourite for many years.

And what about our local favourite, the ice kachang? We cannot say that we were foreigners to shaved ice desserts since we have always had the luxury of enjoying a refreshing bowl of ice kachang at our local food hawker centres and kopitiams, and also, at a much affordable price.

You can even get this local version of Watermelon Ice at just S$5 if you know where to go to.

To put it simply, the bingsu is actually no different from any shaved ice dessert. Although the dessert may be made out of shaved plain ice or shaved milk ice, the method of preparation is no different. Like the Taiwanese and Singapore dessert, the block of ice is also put into an ice-blending machine and ice crystals pretty much come out of the machine in the same way, as expected.

So, what even piqued our interest in this dessert in the first place?

#2 RISE OF THE K-WAVE

After the decline of the J-Wave, it seemed pretty inevitable that a new generation of musicians would “rise”, and it became the K-Wave era.

The K-wave popularity first began with the rapid growth in popularity of Korean Dramas in the mid-2000s, before K-pop exploded in Singapore sometime in 2008.

In Korea, bingsu is a staple especially during the crazy summer; the locals eat bingsu to cool themselves down and to enjoy something sweet in the meanwhille.

With the growth of the K-wave, bingsu set foot in Singapore in no time at all, with plenty of Korean celebrities endorsing various food cafes through advertisements or more simply, through the Korean dramas.

What follows next is predictable—cafe owners saw this trend as a business opportunity, and suddenly there was an influx of bingsu cafes all over Singapore.

#3 WHY ARE WE PAYING SO MUCH FOR ICE?

You definitely cannot say that this thought has not crossed your mind: It is just shaved ice. Why would I pay so much money for ice?

Despite these thoughts, many of us were still willing to forsake our logic and we have had our fair share of paying ridiculous amounts for a bowl of bingsu; perhaps for the Instagram or maybe just because we wanted to be part of the trendy camp.

If we dissect the bingsu, the most expensive thing on the plate would probably be the ingredients that accompany the dessert—toppings of banana or canned fruits and syrup syringes (which is actually super cheap when purchased in bulk).

By the way, in case you have no clue, a typical bowl of bingsu is as “cheap” as S$12 and can go more than S$20 per bowl.

Yes, and we still wonder why so many are willing to pay for it. Ice kachang is less than S$2, and Taiwanese shaved ice are averagely S$8.

#4 OVERSATURATION OF THE BINGSU MARKET?

Then, there came a point in time when there were too many bingsu cafes around Singapore, most with similar menus and rarely daring to go beyond what was expected of the dessert.

However, there were a couple of cafes who had taken great leaps to spice up their menu by creating fusions and incorporating traditional Korean foods such as rice cakes into the dessert.

These cafes should be applauded for their innovation and creativity in pushing the food industry towards progress. However, for those bingsu cafes which are slightly too comfortable with run-of-the-mill menus packaged with high prices, it would indeed be hard to survive in the cut-throat cafe and food business.

#5 OTHER FOODS ARE JUST MORE INTERESTING?

Maybe it is not so much of the oversaturation and the simplicity of the dessert. Maybe it is just the emergence of more interesting foods and even more Instagrammable food trends.

Take the Unicorn Cake for example. How pretty is this work of art which is beyond enchanting and every bit photogenic?

The galaxy donut trend is also another one that took Singapore by storm.

It is hard to say, because trends come and go. The bingsu trend may have died gradually but it definitely enjoyed a more significant longevity as compared to the unicorn cake and galaxy donuts.

#6 THE END OF THE BINGSU TREND?

Today, it is difficult to find a bingsu cafe in Singapore which still has long queues.

Maybe we are finally realising how exorbitantly priced the dessert is and that we are only willing to pay more for desserts which require greater touches of human hands and not one that is predominantly made from a machine.

If a(nother) bingsu cafe comes along today with interesting and unconventional flavours, would you still be willing to pay for it?

It does not seem likely that we will be doing so. But will you?

Opened by the folks behind the successful The Tiramisu Hero, Butter My Buns at National University of Singapore’s University Town (UTown) brings wholesome cafe fare to the West of Singapore.

This new concept – Butter My Buns (yes, it is a cheeky name) – serves D.I.Y all-day breakfast sets, waffles and more.

The cafe is located beside Book Haven in Stephen Riady Centre and it can be quite hard to locate if you are not familiar with NUS. For those of you who are taking the shuttle bus in, stop at University Town and walk towards your right all the way to the building, then take the walk down the stairs. Butter My Buns faces the central field.

The prices here are very reasonable to cater to the students and you really get a bang for your buck. We picked out a savoury and a sweet option for variety’s sake.

The Honey Truffle Waffles (S$12) and BMB Breakfast (Cheese Sausage S$3, Scrambled Eggs S$3, Pasta Salad S$2.50) sure made our tummies really happy.

The waffles might look ordinary and simple, but it was both crunchy and fluffy. What stood out for us, was the truffle taste and fragrance which was well-balanced with the rest of the components of the dish.

It is definitely worth it to travel all the way here just for this sweet treat!

Other desserts include a series of Korean Bingsu (the most expensive is only S$7!), and sweet crepes.

The BMB Breakfast is a mix-and-match breakfast item where you choose your favourite ingredients and put together a breakfast of your desire. We picked the cheese sausage, scrambled eggs and pasta salad.

It was tasty but it lacked something – some X-factor of sorts. That said, it is still something simple and hearty. Perhaps we got the combination wrong!

Otherwise, try the Bastard Bun (S$3.50). Said to be one of the star dishes on the menu, it is essentially a hot dog with with a Bastard sauce – basil + mustard. Yup, Bastard.

Butter My Buns
2 College Avenue West Stephen Riady Centre
#01-07 University Town
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Singapore 138607
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Kent Ridge

2015 is coming to an end, and with that, we celebrate a year of amazing food and also fresh new trends that have landed on our sunny island. Of course, trends come and go but the really good ones shall stay on.

In this piece, we explore the trends that have invaded Singapore this year. The rubrics are simple – a) Photogenic and hence, hyped up on social media, b) more than one store riding on the trend, c) so delicious and/ or innovative that it is no surprise they are labeled as a ‘trend’.

Here are 13 Food Trends in Singapore in 2015 that you probably already know about. We pay homage to some of the best food that graced our nation this year.

#1 KOREAN BINGSU

What better way to curb this awful humidity than with a Korean Ice Kachang? This Korean shaved ice dessert is well-loved by many. We love how it comes in a variety of flavours, but for us, we would choose anything with injeolmi for sure!

#2 ‘BLACK’ DISHES

‘Black’ is always sexy and many have caught on to this trend. With black steamed buns, black waffles and black pastas, the chefs mainly use either squid ink or charcoal to make this happen. However gimmicky it may be, we have to say that this trend most definitely got our attention and our hearts!

#3 OVER-THE-TOP CAKE SHAKES

A small bakery in Canberra first started serving these insane milkshakes and now you can find them at many cafes around the world, including Singapore.

The Cake Shake includes crazy things ingredients such as macarons, slices of cakes, biscuits and more in a milkshake. However pretty they look in pictures, it is still a tiny bit ridiculous to us. Calories aside, aren’t cake shakes a little too massive that they don’t blend well?

#4 COCONUT ICE CREAM

These Thai-style coconut ice cream were everywhere for awhile. Served in a half coconut shell, coconut ice cream is usually paired with other condiments such as jelly or fruits. It worked really well here because anything that can save us from the heat is marvelous. But of course, they are pretty too!

#5 COLLAGEN HOTPOT

Collagen has been a trend for a long time. However, collagen in steamboats or hot pots have only been popular recently. With the most popular being Tsukada Nojo, the collagen is first served in a jelly form and it will slowly liquify into a collagen soup over high heat, resulting in a creamy, rich broth that is so sweet and addictive.

#6 FLAVOURED LAVA CAKES

From red velvet to matcha to all kinds of interesting flavours. We always welcome a classic molten chocolate lava cake, but these unique creations can be great too – but it all depends on how good the pastry chef is.

#7 ICE CREAM ROLLS

Ice Cream Rolls first became a thing when people started sharing cool videos of street vendors making it in countries such as Thailand. When Hari Raya season rolled up, people started setting up booths, and the queues were almost an hour of wait! Now, you can see permanent stores in a few places in Singapore selling this cool new technique of serving ice cream.

#8 JUICE CLEANSE – COLD-PRESSED JUICES

Whether juice cleanses actually work, it is subjective and varies from consumer to consumer. This year, there was a sudden influx of cold-pressed juice places in Singapore. However, juices like these can be pricey, so if you want to splurge, make sure you are truly disciplined to adhere to the programme for optimal results.

#9 KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN

This needs no introduction because it is basically everywhere and it is a trend that we foresee will stay a long long time. With so many restaurants specialising in this dish in Singapore, that shows just how much Singaporeans love this classic Korean dish. And, give us beer please.

#10 SALTED EGG YOLK EVERYTHING

Well, we would not say this is a new trend but rather, an ongoing one and one that is so strong this year. Salted Egg Yolk brings life to just about any dish and truth be told, we can never get sick of it. Salted Egg Yolk Chicken, Squid, Prawns… anything. We love them all!

Read: The Best Salted Egg Yolk Dishes in Singapore.

#11 SHIBUYA THICK TOAST

Thick toasts were first made popular on social media by Taiwanese cafe chain, Dazzling Cafe when they opened its doors here in Singapore. Now, so many cafes and dessert parlours have started to serve and further popularise it. And yes, they are very photogenic.

#12 SOFT-SERVE ICE CREAM

This is nothing new but 2015 has seen a spike in people going for soft-serve ice cream as more and more restauranteurs start to get creative with flavours and plating. The Korean ones are usually very well received too.

#13 CHURROS

Churros aren’t new for sure, but Singaporeans have fallen head over heels in love with them this year alongside the sudden influx of churros stalls/ kiosks sprouting out in Singapore. Are you a fan of the classic ones with cinnamon sugar, or the Korean versions with lots of fillings on the inside?

If you are exploring the Bras Basah and Bugis districts, you might want to join in the artsy-fartsy crowd and head over to the first container cafe in Singapore – yes, you heard us right! Situated at DECK, Snowy Village offers a noteworthy selection of Bingsu in an unusual container setting. A good dessert never hurts, right?

The container cafe holds approximately 12 seatings – one of the smallest Bingsu establishments that we have chanced upon so far, but it does make up for the lack of room with a homey space that is unique to its own. There is also an enchanting Alfresco dining area that is beautifully adorned with oil barrels and vines.

Other than Bingsu, Snowy Village has a menu of beverages and Korean sides.

Their signature Injeolmi Bingsu (S$12) enhances the conventional Korean dessert with a mixture of toppings such as Green Tea and Black Sesame mochi, peanut shavings and rice cakes. The soft and smooth ice shavings were a delight to savour, accompanied with a dose of condensed milk if you are keen on sweetening up your Bingsu.

Then, there is the Mango Bingsu (S$12.90) that comes with generous chunks of sweet mango atop finely shaved iced, and topped with condensed milk and mango syrup.

Some serious Bingsu feast awaits here at Snowy Village, indeed.

Snowy Village
120 Prinsep Street
Singapore 187937
Tel: +65 8822 1702
Daily: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Bugis or Dhoby Ghaut

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best Bingsu in Singapore.

Bingsu is a popular Korean dessert which first started with ingredients primarily comprising of ice shavings, condensed milk, Korean rice cake and occasionally topped off with dollops of red bean or other similar fillings.

We can now find various renditions of this Korean dessert with toppings such as fruits, ice cream and even cheesecakes to suit the taste buds of many. This simple yet genius creation has captured the hearts of many Singaporeans, crowned as the perfect solution to bring the heat down.

That said, we have combined a list of the 8 Korean Bingsu in Singapore You Must Try. It is highly advisable to drag your friends or loved ones with you because the servings are usually huge, and more importantly, we believe that the best things in life should be shared.

#1 BING GO JUNG DESSERT HOUSE

Located at Guillemard Village, Bing Go Jung is one of the first Bingsu cafes to arrive in Singapore. This dessert house has since set the trend of serving authentic Korean Bingsu that will do the hype justice.

Their Injeolmi Bingsu (S$11) remains the best seller with finely shaved ice topped with soy powder, Korean rice cake, almond slices, and comes with an additional serving condensed milk – a dessert experience you will not and may never want to forget.

102 Guillemard Road, #01-01
Singapore 339719
Tel: +65 6440 5509
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Mountbatten

#2 CHICK N KEN

Other than serving mouth-watering Korean Fried Chicken, Chick and Ken also serves up beautiful bowls of Bingsu with a twist – the syrup comes in syringes, so that you can add in as much as you like, depending on your preferred levels of sweetness.

The Korean ice shavings here at Chick and Ken are coarser with slight similarities to our local Ice Kachang. We suggest you opt for their Cha-Yen Bingsu (S$12.90), an amalgamation of Thai and Korean flavours with honeyed Cornflakes, homemade Red Rubies and Thai Tea Agar.

Raffles Park
21 Lorong Telok
Singapore 049033
Tel: +65 9150 7257
Mon to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Closed on Sunday
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#3 CAFE INSADONG

Finally, a cafe in Singapore that serves Bingsu affordably priced less than S$10! Even though prices are slightly cheaper, Cafe Insadong is always more than generous with their serving portions. Many people flock to the cafe for their famed Sweet Potato Patbingsu (S$9.80) with rice cakes sufficiently stuffed with sweet bean paste, sugared nuts and sweet potato mash to accompany the ice shavings. We have to say this bowl is a pretty photogenic one, huh?

279 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058828
Tel: +65 8533 2003
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 9:30pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 11:30pm
Closed on Sunday
Nearest Station: Chinatown

#4 NUNSONGYEE

This is undoubtedly one of the best Bingsu cafes in Singapore. Also known as “snowflake” in Korean, Nunsongyee has literally lived up to its name with their thinly shaved ice which has beckoned patrons to go back for more. Some of the signature Bingsus include their Black Sesame Bingsu (S$18.90) with black sesame powder, almond flakes, red bean paste and topped with Korean rice cakes which piqued our interests with its wondrous melt of flavours.

45 Burghley Drive, #01-04
Singapore 559022
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat: 10am – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Closed on Monday
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan

#5 NUNSARAM KOREAN DESSERT CAFE

If you are heading to town, do swing by Nunsaram. Conveniently located at Orchard Central, it prides itself as the go-to cafe for desserts or simply a place where friends can hang out after a meal.

Most of the Bingsu in the cafe are presented with a scoop of ice cream sitting glamorously atop the pile of ice. We heard that they use fresh ingredients for every serving of Bingsu – such as the Sweet Potato Bingsu (S$12.90), where the purple paste is acquired from the sweet potato root itself.

Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road, #05-51/52
Singapore 238896
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#6 O’MA SPOON

Oma Spoon is a clear winner for us. Having their Bingsu was akin to eating snowflakes with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that all of us approved. Their Patbingsu (S$12.80) did the phrase “less is more” justice. We were in awe of how a classic Bingsu that was served in just sweet azuki beans atop milk ice shavings could rock our worlds with its heavenly medley of textures and flavours.

Somerset 313
313 Orchard Road, #04-20/32
Singapore 238895
Daily: 11am – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#7 SNOWMAN DESSERTS

The Bingsu at Snowman Desserts are bound to catch your attention, with highlights such as their Melon Bowl Bingsu (S$14), that is served beautifully in a melon bowl with finely carved balls of fruits, then topped with a delicious soft serve ice cream and condensed milk served on the side. We suggest you pour the condensed milk with discretion as it might get a little cloying for some.

Serangoon NEX
23 Serangoon Central, #02-04
Singapore 556083
Tel: +65 6634 4608
Daily: 11:30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

#8 TOMS N TOMS

Toms and Toms is a Korean coffee chain tucked at the secluded premises of Tanjong Pagar, with K-pop tracks playing all day long and caring Korean staff waiting on you. Their Yoghurt Cheesecake Bingsu (S$12.80) had an interesting fusion of flavours, with cheesecake toppings and delicate yoghurt ice flakes melting almost immediately in our mouths. The cafe opens as early as 7am, and also offers Free WiFi – much to our delight.

Icon Village
12 Gopeng Street
Singapore 078877
Tel: +65 6225 6313
Daily: 7am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

About the writer:
Cassandra is a staff writer for ladyironchef. During her free time, she fuels her passion for fashion through shopping and indulges in all things food. She loves anything egg related and is always ready for a cafe-hopping adventure.