Shaved Ice Cream: Many names, many places to find it

Learn the differences between sno, bingsoo, halo-halo, snow cream and milk snow.

By Editorial • Posted July 19, 2018 at 5:04 a.m.

The past few years elongated the summer treat options with the insurgence of sno, bingsoo, halo-halo, snow cream, milk snow and the likes: a light, shaved ice cream topped with a surplus of treats like fruit, syrups, condensed milk, mochi, cereals, cookies and more. These are desserts from a variety of Asian countries, all with different iterations, hence the different monikers. Some options are more creamy, as if ice cream has literally been shaved into layers then piled high (Snocream, Dessert Story), while others are actual shaved ice with the syrups and drizzles bringing in the flavor (Siroo). Some focus on traditional toppings like red beans and sweet beans (The Corner Q). And some even add a scoop of ice cream to the mix (Shilla Bakery). But for those who are looking for a less dense yet still cold, creamy dessert to delve into for the summer, order shaved ice cream.