Korean Shave Ice or Bingsu Shop Opens in Honolulu – Updated July 21

HONOLULU — A beloved Korean dessert is now being served in Honolulu with the opening of En Hakkore, a traditional shave ice or bingsu shop located in Palama Market on Makaloa Street. The shop opened on Friday, offering a milk-based shaved ice treat that has gained popularity across Hawai‘i in recent years.

En Hakkore was opened by Hee Young Park and her daughter, Angelyn Park, who own the business. What makes their version of bingsu unique is the ice itself, which the family created using their own recipe. According to Angelyn Park, the shave ice is designed to taste like snow — sweet, milky, and joyful.

The dessert, also spelled bingsoo, is a Korean treat made from light and fluffy milk-based shaved ice. Its mild flavor allows it to be customized with a variety of toppings. At En Hakkore, the bingsu is served with additions such as soy bean flour, fresh fruits, azuki beans, and espresso, which customers can add to the ice for extra flavor and zing.

Bingsu has become increasingly popular in Hawai‘i over the last few years, often described as a Korean take on Hawai‘i-style shave ice. Unlike traditional shave ice made with water and syrup, bingsu uses a milk base, giving it a creamier, less crystalized texture. This proves typically served in large portions with generous toppings, including fruit, mochi balls, boba, and even cheesecake slices.

Several bingsu cafés have opened across O‘ahu in response to the growing demand. Jejubing Dessert Café, located on the ground floor of Ala Moana Center, offers flavors such as pineapple and mango bingsu, along with standouts like injeolmi bingsu topped with azuki beans and injeolmi, a Korean rice cake covered in roasted soybean flour. Kawaii Ice Wave, with locations in Hawai‘i Kai and Pearlridge Center, serves what it calls “Ice Waves” — an Insta-worthy version of bingsu featuring condensed milk, soft serve, and toppings like real fruit, cereal, or Oreos.

The opening of En Hakkore adds to the growing number of options for those seeking this cold, sweet dessert in Honolulu. As temperatures rise, bingsu continues to be a popular choice for cooling down, combining traditional Korean preparation with local Hawaiian tastes for tropical fruits and creative toppings.