A cool treat on a hot day

If you're hot and you want a cool treat, head to the patbingsu vendors. You can usually find them by their big, colourful umbrellas and the sound of ice being shaved.

The original version is very simply composed of shaved ice and sweetened, red azuki beans (known as pat). Red beans are what makes it happen, according to a friend of mine.

However, if you're not into the ever-present red beans (I'm not crazy about them), then there are many other varieties to choose from now. You can get green tea or fruit bingsu. Coffee is also another alternative seeing as Koreans love all things coffee or mocha flavoured.