[Bingsu in Hongdae] Imi and Sweet Lie

One of the best dessert in Summer is the sweet and cooling bingsu (shaved ice). Strawberry, mango, orange, peach, chocolate and other flavors of Bingsu give us strength to move on during hot day.

In this post, we will introduce Imi and Sweet Lie, which are popular bingsu cafes in Hongdae.

#1 Imi (이미)

Imi is a famous bingsu cafe serving creamy orange bingsu near Hongik University Station.

The cafe is spacious and has warm and cozy atmosphere. There are seats with table and bar-type seats, so it is convenient for people who have study or work alone. There are also tables outside, you can enjoy the fresh air while you eat the delicious bingsu when the weather is nice.

You can find some books displayed at the shelf on the wall. If you come here alone, you can even enjoy reading as well. Feel free to pick up a book!

Imi cafe serves coffee, bingsu, special drinks, tea and others. In addition, there is dessert such as pound cakes, tarts and puddings, so you can also try these when you come here for bingsu.

This is the signature menu of Imi - Creamy Orange Bingsu (for one person). The outer layer is white and soft with orange zest on top. You should not mix it when you eat creamy orange bingsu.

The cream is soft, sweet and savory. The chewy texture and freshness of the orange zest mix well with it. Below the cream, there are orange ice cubes. It tastes like frozen orange juice!

Soft cream and orange ice cubes is a good match. But just make sure you eat it quickly because the shaved ice melts fast.

For bingsu lover who loves orange as well, give Imi a try!

[Information about Imi]

1. Getting here: AREX Hongik University Station Exit 2, Walk 6 mins
2. Address: 1st Floor, 7 Donggyo-ro 25-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
3. Opening hours: 12:00 – 22:00 daily
4. Contact: +82-6368-5228
5. Website: https://www.instagram.com/cafeimi/
6. Price: Creamy Orange Bingsu KRW 7,000 (one person), KRW 13,000 (two person)

#2 Sweet Lie (달콤한거짓말)

Sweet Lie, located near Sangsu Station, is a dessert cafe famous for cake and mango bingsu. The sign board is hidden behind the leaves so it is easy to just walk past it. But the white building, wooden signboards and green leaves blend together quite well.

There are a variety of dessert such as cookies, cakes, macaroons, etc... displayed inside and outside the cafe.

Just like Imi, you can also order 1 person or 2 person portion of bingsu in Sweet Lie.

After you orrder, you may go up to the second floor to find a seat. The seats on 2F are quite spacious, with chairs and tables in different design. However, they all have 1 similarity - in woodtone.

This is the Mango Bingsu!

You can eat the fruit first, then mixed them with the shaved ice. The bowl is filled with mangoes like it's almost overflowing. You will also get a strawberry that sits on top of the bingsu. The mangoes are fresh and sweet. Note: it is raw mangoe, not frozen mango.

Just mix the mango with the ice and syrup to enjoy the sweet and refreshing mango bingsu!

For bingsu lovers who like mangoes, please visit Sweet Lie cafe.

[Information about Sweet Lie]

1. Getting here : At AREX Digital Media City Station or Gongdeok Station, Transfer to Subway Line 6 ▶ Get off at Sangsu Station, Exit 1, walk 6 mins
2. Adress : 2nd Floor, 1, 61-4 Dongmak-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
3. Opening hours : 매일 11:00 - 23:00 / 월요일 휴무(공휴일 겹칠 시 정상영업)
4. Contact number : +82-3141-3338
5. Price :

Mango Bingsu KRW 9,800 (1 person), KRW 13,200 (2 person) Strawberry Bingsu KRW 9,800 (1 person) , KRW 13,200 (2 person) Sweet red bean bingsu KRW 8,500 (1 person), KRW 12,000 (2 person)

*Please wear a mask and practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wash hands frequently and practice cough etiquette. Stay safe!