If you have ever wandered through a Korean convenience store and stopped by the frozen foods section, you may have been struck by the sheer number and diversity of Korean ice cream flavors available.
The hot, humid climate of South Korea has led ice cream makers to come up with some of the most innovative ice cream flavors on the planet. From the best Korean ice cream bars to ice cream cakes and rolls, we have compiled a list of must-try Korean ice cream flavors.
1. Samanco
This fish-shaped ice cream sandwich is ubiquitous on the streets of Korea. Filled with rich vanilla ice cream and red bean syrup, this is a mild alternative to traditional winter Korean snacks. The stronger flavor of full-strength red beans is one that many Western palettes find difficult to enjoy.
If red bean syrup doesn’t appeal to you, Samanco also comes in chocolate, strawberry, and green tea flavors.
2. Merona
Another popular frozen Korean treat is Merona melon flavor popsicles. Surprisingly creamy, this classic Korean ice cream popsicle has a refreshing taste and soothing pale green color. Merona also produces ice cream bars in a range of other fruity flavors including strawberry, mango, and banana.
3. Corn Ice Cream
One of the newer options available is Korean corn ice cream. Mild popcorn flavored ice cream with chunks of frozen corn is encased in a thin wafer shell in the shape of a corn cob and sprayed with a layer of chocolate.
4. Turtle Egg Ice Cream
If you have ever wanted to eat ice cream out of a balloon, this is the treat for you. Korean turtle egg ice cream consists of rich chocolate ice cream packed tightly into a rubber casing and comes with instructions on how to eat it. Simply snip the tip of the balloon and a cool chocolate soft serve comes flowing out.
5. Jaws Popsicle
Despite its shape, this Korean fish ice cream tastes nothing like it’s oceanic inspiration. Released in 1983, the shark-shaped popsicle has a hard gray outer layer with an intense orange flavor, while the soft center has a deliciously sweet strawberry taste.
6. Softree Honey Ice Cream
The Korean ice cream franchise, Softree has gained a huge following of fans for their Korean honey ice cream dessert. This sweet sensation consists of soft serve vanilla ice cream covered in runny honey that hardens slightly when it hits the cool ice cream.
7. Ice Cream Rolls
Korean ice cream rolls have become a huge hit on social media for their satisfying preparation and Instagram-worthy pictures. But best of all, these Korean snacks taste as good as they look. Less air in the mixture means the texture is denser than regular ice cream, giving it an extremely creamy flavor. You can also customize the base and add-ins to suit your taste.
8. Wakku Wakku
For a different take on a Korean ice cream cone, try this crispy, creamy treat that is designed to be easy to eat. With the appearance of an ice cream cone squashed flat, this combination cone and ice cream sandwich has a satisfyingly crunchy waffle cone exterior with a rich vanilla ice cream filling and a chocolate top.
9. Pig Bar
Like many snacks from Asia, this classic Korean ice cream bar was released in 1983 for the year of the Pig and has remained popular ever since. The strawberry jam center is covered in milky vanilla ice cream and coated in chocolate with a crunchy cookie crust.
10. Patbingsu
A more traditional Korean style ice cream is Patbingsu. Created with delicate layers of shaved ice, red bean paste, condensed milk, and fresh fruit, this unique dessert is a wonderfully light alternative to regular ice cream.
11. Twins Twins
Share your love of Korean ice cream with a friend. This popular Korean chocolate ice cream comes with two popsicle sticks and splits neatly down the middle. The chocolate flavor is more muted than other chocolate-flavored ice creams in Korea, but the mild milky taste will leave you feeling refreshed on a hot, humid day.
12. Seolaeim
You never need to worry about ice cream dripping down your arm with Seolaeim ice cream pouches. This excellent Korean ice cream is designed to be eaten on the go. The convenient pouch features a spout so you can squeeze it into your mouth and enjoy a variety of flavored ice creams including coffee, cookies and cream, and milkshake.
13. Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Sandwich
Unlike the cookie sandwich we are used to in the West, this Korean delicacy uses two slices of cake-like bread for a literal take on an ice cream sandwich. The cookies & cream flavored center is cool and creamy with tiny chunks of cookie mixed throughout.
14. Green Tea Soft Serve
Korean green tea ice cream is another popular flavor; one of the favorite ways to enjoy this slightly bitter-tasting treat is as a towering soft serve. Street vendors serve swirls of soft green tea ice cream stacked sky-high on cups of cones to be shared.
15. Screw Bar
Sweet and refreshing, this screw-shaped popsicle is a favorite among kids and adults with its tangy white apple center and smooth strawberry outer layer. It now also comes as a pouch pack if you don’t want to risk melty spills on a hot day.
