Restaurants: Cool and Compact: Single-Serve 'Cup Bingsu' Sweeps South Korean Cafes
- InsightTrendsWorld
- Jul 21, 2025
- 6 min read
Why it is the topic trending: Adapting a Popular Dessert for Solo Enjoyment in the Summer Heat
The article highlights the rising popularity of single-serve "cup bingsu" (a Korean shaved ice dessert) at cafes and bakeries across South Korea as a response to the summer heat.
This trend caters to the increasing demand for personalized and solo-friendly dining options, as traditionally, bingsu is shared among groups.
The article provides examples of popular offerings from major coffee and bakery chains and their sales figures.
It discusses the affordability and emotional satisfaction that these compact desserts provide to consumers.
Overview: Bingsu Goes Solo: South Korea Embraces the Single-Serve Trend
As summer temperatures rise in South Korea, a new trend is taking over the dessert scene: the single-serve "cup bingsu." Cafes and bakeries are rapidly introducing individual portions of the beloved shaved ice dessert, traditionally meant for sharing. This shift reflects a growing consumer preference for personalized and solo-friendly dining experiences, allowing individuals to enjoy the refreshing treat without the need for a group. Major players in the South Korean food industry, such as Mega MGC Coffee and Ediya Coffee, have seen significant success with their cup bingsu offerings.
Detailed findings: The Rise of Single-Serve Bingsu in South Korea
Single-serve "cup bingsu" is gaining popularity in South Korean cafes and bakeries during the summer.
Mega MGC Coffee's "Patbing Gelato Parfait" and "Mangbing Parfait" (launched in April 2025) have collectively sold over 5 million units.
The cup bingsu format caters to the growing trend of personalized and solo-friendly dining.
These single-serve desserts are typically priced around 5,000 won ($3.60) and are considered good value for money and emotionally satisfying.
Ediya Coffee has introduced four single-serve bingsu options, including sweet corn, red bean with rice cake (injeolmi), and mango granola, with sales increasing by 20% year-over-year in the past week.
Bakery chains like Knotted have also launched single-serve bingsu, such as "Tongtong Red Bean Milk Bingsu" and "Tongtong Matcha Red Bean Bingsu," with the matcha version reportedly tripling overall blended beverage sales.
Tous Les Jours released its "Red Bean Injeolmi Cup Bingsu" in May 2025, followed by Paris Baguette with its "Milk Cup Bingsu" in early July.
Key success factors of product (trend): Personalization, Convenience, and Affordability
Personalized Portion: The single-serve format allows individuals to enjoy bingsu without needing a group.
Convenience: Easy to purchase and consume individually, ideal for a quick summer treat.
Affordability: Priced around 5,000 won, making it an accessible indulgence.
Emotional Satisfaction: Provides a refreshing and enjoyable way to beat the summer heat.
Key Takeaway: South Korea Cools Down with the Convenience of Single-Serve 'Cup Bingsu'
As summer intensifies, South Korean cafes and bakeries are successfully tapping into the demand for personalized and convenient treats with the rising popularity of single-serve "cup bingsu," allowing individuals to enjoy the refreshing shaved ice dessert on their own.
Main trend: The Increasing Demand for Solo-Friendly Dining Options
The main trend highlighted is the growing consumer preference for dining options that cater to individuals eating alone, driven by lifestyle changes and a desire for convenience and personalization.
Description of the trend: Dining Solo: The Rise of Individualized Food and Beverage Choices
This trend describes the increasing acceptance and popularity of eating and drinking alone, leading to a demand for food and beverage products and services that are specifically designed for single individuals. This includes smaller portion sizes, convenient packaging, and dining environments that are comfortable for solo diners.
What is consumer motivation: Convenience, Personal Preference, and Changing Lifestyles
Convenience for Busy Individuals: Single-serve options are ideal for people with busy schedules who need quick and easy meals or treats.
Personal Preference for Specific Flavors or Amounts: Individuals may want to enjoy a particular dessert without having to share or commit to a large portion.
Changing Lifestyles with More People Living Alone: An increasing number of people are living alone and prefer single-serving sizes.
What is motivation beyond the trend: Individualism and Self-Care
Embracing Individuality: A greater emphasis on individual preferences and choices in all aspects of life, including dining.
Self-Care and Enjoyment: Treating oneself to a dessert or meal as a form of self-care and personal enjoyment.
Descriptions of consumers: The Solo Diner
Consumer Summary: The solo diner is an individual who prefers or needs to eat alone, seeking convenient and appropriately sized meals and treats that cater to their personal preferences.
Who are them: Individuals who frequently eat alone due to lifestyle or personal choice.
What kind of products they like: Single-serving meals, snacks, desserts, and beverages.
What is their age?: Spans across all age groups.
What is their gender?: No significant gender bias.
What is their income?: Varies.
What is their lifestyle: Can include busy professionals, students, and individuals living alone.
What are their shopping preferences in the category article is referring to: Favoring single-serve portions of desserts like bingsu.
Are they low, occasional or frequent category shoppers: Can be either, depending on their lifestyle and preferences.
What are their general shopping preferences-how they shop products, shopping motivations): Value convenience and products that meet their individual needs.
Conclusions: Solo-Friendly Options are Increasingly Important in the Food Industry
The popularity of single-serve cup bingsu highlights the growing need for food and beverage options that cater to individuals dining alone, reflecting broader shifts in lifestyle and consumer preferences.
Implications for brands: Cater to the Solo Consumer with Innovative Offerings
Develop Single-Serve Formats: Offer smaller portions of popular desserts and meals.
Highlight Convenience and Personal Enjoyment: Market products as ideal for individual consumption.
Implication for society: Changing Social Norms Around Dining
Increased Acceptance of Eating Alone: A reduction in the stigma associated with dining solo.
Implications for consumers: More Choices for Individual Enjoyment
Greater Variety of Single-Serve Options: More products available in convenient individual portions.
Summary of Trends:
Core Consumer Trend: Demand for Personalized Dining: Consumers want food and beverage options tailored to their individual needs.
Core Consumer Sub Trend: Rise of Solo Dining: More people are eating alone and seeking suitable options.
Core Social Trend: Changing Lifestyles: Factors like urbanization and smaller households contribute to solo dining.
Social Drive: Convenience and Individualism.
Core Trend: Adaptation of Popular Dishes for Single Servings.
Core Strategy: Offering Variety in Portion Sizes.
Core Industry Trend: Responding to Evolving Consumer Needs.
Core Consumer Motivation: Enjoying Food and Beverages in a Way That Fits Their Lifestyle.
Strategic Recommendations for brands to follow in 2025: Embrace and Innovate for the Solo Diner
Conduct Market Research on Solo Dining Preferences.
Develop Innovative Single-Serve Packaging.
Final Conclusion: The Power of One: Catering to the Growing Solo Dining Market
The success of single-serve cup bingsu in South Korea underscores the importance of recognizing and catering to the increasing number of people who prefer or need to dine alone. By offering convenient, personalized, and appropriately sized options, food and beverage businesses can tap into this significant and growing market segment.
Core Trend Detailed: The Individual Indulgence: Satisfying Sweet Cravings in Solo Portions
The core trend detailed here is the rise of "Individual Indulgence," focusing on satisfying sweet cravings with desserts and treats offered in single-serving portions. The popularity of cup bingsu exemplifies this, allowing consumers to enjoy a traditionally shared dessert entirely on their own. This trend speaks to a desire for personal enjoyment and convenience, where individuals can indulge in their favorite sweets without the need for sharing or worrying about larger portions.
Key Characteristics of the Core trend: Single Portions, Sweet Treats, Personal Enjoyment
Focus on Individual Consumption: Products are sized and packaged for one person.
Satisfying Sweet Cravings: Catering to the desire for sugary treats and desserts.
Convenience and Accessibility: Easy to purchase and consume on the go or at leisure.
Variety of Options: Spans across different types of desserts and sweet snacks.
Market and Cultural Signals Supporting the Trend: Busy Lifestyles and the Treat Yourself Culture
Fast-Paced Lifestyles: People often seek quick and easy ways to satisfy their sweet cravings.
"Treat Yourself" Mentality: A growing cultural acceptance of indulging in small pleasures as a form of self-care.
How the Trend Is Changing Consumer Behavior: More Frequent Purchases of Single-Serve Treats
Increased Consumption of Individual Desserts: Consumers are buying single-serving sweet items more often.
Less Emphasis on Sharing: A shift away from the tradition of sharing desserts.
Implications Across the Ecosystem: Opportunities for Individually Packaged Delights
For Brands and CPGs: Focus on developing and marketing single-serve sweet treats.
For Retailers: Stocking a wider variety of individually portioned desserts.
Strategic Forecast:
The trend of individual indulgence is likely to continue, driven by convenience and personal enjoyment.
Areas of innovation:
Gourmet Single-Serve Desserts: Elevating the quality and appeal of individually portioned treats.
Subscription Services for Single-Serve Sweets.
Final Thought: The Sweet Spot of One: Individual Portions Reign in Dessert Trends
The popularity of cup bingsu in South Korea perfectly illustrates the "Individual Indulgence" trend, where consumers are embracing the convenience and personal satisfaction of enjoying their favorite sweet treats in single-serving portions. This shift highlights a broader change in dining habits, emphasizing individual desires and the pleasure of treating oneself.
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