Sul & Beans

In Buena Park and Irvine, destination-class Korean-style shaved ice and dessert toast

Years ago, the gold standard for shaved ice was the classic Hawaiian style: a compressed transparent ball soaked in glowing fruit syrups, often tropical and arranged in stripes like rainbows. Over time, this gave way to more complex versions with more delicate ice shavings, creams and ice creams, chocolates, and large pieces of fruit.

As parts of a small LA-based chain with two OC locations (Irvine and Buena Park), Sul & Beans dessert shops let you experience the contemporary Korean version – bingsoo – in its full glory: a mountain of delicate snow (“Sul”) covered in your choice of chocolate, teas (matcha or earl grey), coffee, cookies, or fruits such as watermelon, strawberries, or mangoes. The bowls are generous enough for two people to share, while packed with flavor and the right levels of syrup to ensure every bite is sweet, regardless of the topping you choose.

Sul & Beans also offers multiple types of toast, ranging from the matcha version shown here to cinnamon, black sesame, sweet potato, and Korean injeolmi (sweet glutinous rice). Each version is topped with sliced almonds, and you’ll likely also find sweet red beans inside. When we think about Sul & Beans, it’s this toast that makes us want to return, with the snow as a distant second.

You can also get boong uh bbang — the Korean version of Japanese taiyaki – with fillings such as red beans, Nutella, custard and cheese, though the bingsoo and toast are in our view far more compelling here. We’d sooner hit up SomiSomi or other places for our taiyaki needs.

Stats

Price: $-$$
Service: Counter
Open Since: 2014 (LA), 2016 (OC)

Addresses

5427 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park, CA 90621
657.529.1060

2750 Alton Pkwy. Suite 141
Irvine, CA 92606
949.418.7286

Instagram: @sulnbeans