[Seoul] Sulbing 설빙

2016/08/24

Sulbing is a famous Korean shaved ice chain with stores all over Korea as well as Japan, China, and Thailand.

Even just around they Myeongdong area we stayed at, there were three stores in total.

One thing to note, different from normal shaved ice, the shaved ice at Sulbing are actually made from frozen milk. Thus giving it a sweeter, fluffier, creamier taste.

So on our first day in Korea, we are here to try out some real authentic Korean bingsu!

Decor

Among the 2 stores we visited in Myeongdong, both were spacious and very clean.

Sulbing operates as more of a self serving concept. Customers order at the cashier then pick up their food when notified it is ready.

Food

They serve a wide selection of bingsu, toasts and drinks, flavours such as strawberry, chocolate, coffee, red bean, etc.

But since there is only two of us, we decided with the classics for our first Sulbing experience lol.

Photo credits to Elle & Jess

Their menu is written in Korean, but they have some of their best seller's models displayed at the counter. Convenient for tourist who can't read Korean.

little beeper notifying you to pick up your order

인절미 설빙 Injeolmi Snowflakes Sherbet

Injeolmi is Korean rice cakes shaped in little pieces, it is often paired with powdered dried soybeans like the one above.

This sulbing came with a small serving of condensed milk to pair with the milk shaved ice.

I know some people who doesn't like the taste of the soybean powder, but we both loved the combination between all the ingredients used here. On top of that, the sulbing was a whole new experience different from all the versions of shaved ice we have had in the past. It is very dry compared to normal ice, and somehow not as cold. Since the texture is dry, the ingredients didn't all just melt together, so you can really feel all the layers in one bite.

As a super slow eater, sulbing is perfect, I can be digging into it for 15 mins and it wouldn't already be a bowl of water!

요거통통메론 설빙 Yogurt Tong Tong Melon Sulbing

-soft cheese cake, yogurt ice cream, melon

Of course melon sulbing is a must try.

There were two flavours available and we decided on the yogurt one. Inside the fresh melon shell, is a big scoop of yogurt ice cream ice mixed with small chunks of cheesecakes. A totally different number to the injeolmi sulbing, it is fresh and not too sweet. A hint of sour from the yogurt and the sweet taste from the cheesecake squares blends together very well.

인절미토스트 Injeolmi Toast

Giving a try to something other than sulbing on the menu, we decided on the injeolmi toast. The rice cake is stacked between two pieces of bread, pan fried, drizzled with honey and topped with shaved almonds. Pretty much the same as the injeolmi sulbing but in toast form lol.

Verdict

If I ever stumble upon a Sulbing store, I would not think twice before stepping inside. With the wide variety of menu items and the seasonal specials, I could try something new every time!

Now that I am back in Vancouver, I really miss that special texture of shaved ice I have only had there. Totally recommend, and hope I can be back soon :((