There is no bad time for ice cream and in South Korea you can always find something to satisfy the craving for the cool, sweet treat. From the classic vanilla to the strange, yet delicious corn flavor, Korean ice cream provides a space for both the pickiest of eaters and the most adventurous while not breaking the bank.

The Familiar and the Similar

Melona Bar

One of the first ice creams that K-Pop fans are exposed to! I first had the opportunity to try it at KCON where they would have booths that gave them away. The most common flavor to find everywhere is melon. It tastes less like a popsicle and more like soft serve ice cream on a stick. A fun way to enjoy Melona for adults is to combine it with soju and Sprite for a cool, refreshing cocktail.

Samanco

Another familiar ice cream for K-Pop fans is Samanco. It is the ice cream version of the widely popular Korean street snack called bungeo-ppang or “carp bread.” Carp bread is a fish shaped pastry that is filled with red bean paste. In the Samanco version, the red bean paste is spread atop of sweet vanilla ice cream. The addition of the ice cream helps balance out the flavor of the red bean paste.

The New

These are some ice cream treats that are definitely new to some and provide a new take on some things that are familiar.

Pangtoa

If you are a fan of ice cream sandwiches, you may enjoy this treat! Pangtoa is just like an ice cream sandwich except the chocolate wafers that are the norm are replaced with sweet bread. There are four common flavors, however the easiest to find is the vanilla flavor. It does melt and become squishy faster than a regular ice cream sandwich, so eat fast!

Subak Bar

Subak Bars are also known as a watermelon bar! It looks and is shaped like a slice of watermelon and tastes super similar to the real thing. The texture is similar to a frozen fruit smoothie. This is good for someone who likes the traditional popsicle experience but wants something with a little bit more substance.

Bing Bing Bar

Bing Bing Bars are a bingsu lover’s dream. It has all the flavors of the traditional Korean summer treat combined in an ice cream bar. This does pack a bit more of a punch compared to enjoying bingsu in the regular way; the red bean paste can definitely be overwhelming to someone trying it for the first time.

The Interesting

These ice creams are ones that I would never have thought to try if I were to see them in my home country, only to be delightfully surprised at the result.

설레임 Seolleim

This is one of my favorite ice creams I have tried so far. The best way to describe it is a milkshake in a bag. When first purchased, the bag is rock solid, so in order to eat it you have to knead the bag until it breaks up enough to sip it through the spout. Its original flavor is quite literally called “milkshake,” which tastes like a good old fashioned vanilla milkshake. In recent years, the flavor offerings have grown to offer several others including cookies and cream and coffee.

Papico

This was one of the ice creams that was new but strangely familiar. It’s a plastic tube filled with a chocolate ice cream that you have to bite and chew on to get out. It takes a lot of effort to eat before it becomes a mess of chocolate.

The Adventurous

Good Corn

This ice cream is not for the weak of heart. Before unwrapping the package, it doesn’t seem strange at all, however when you open it, it looks like a whole ear of corn. It is definitely a bit unnerving at first. The outside of the ice cream is a wafer with a thin coat of chocolate to hold it to the ice cream center. The ice cream itself tastes less like a corn on the cob and more like vanilla ice cream with a hint of popcorn flavoring. Think popcorn jelly bean for the closest comparison. While this flavor combo is actually not as bad as it sounds, what really stunned the taste buds was the actual corn chunks inside.

Brain Freeze: Final Thoughts

There were definitely some great, some good, and some ice cream we would never try again. However, ice cream is a great way to experience the regional flavors throughout Korea and to experience something new each time for a great cost. Some of these treats can often be found in the local Korean supermarket in your own country. Whether you are feeling adventurous or just want something familiar, give Korean ice cream a shot.

Gimme That, Gimme That Ice Cream: Korean Ice Cream