Korea’s New Summer Trend: Cold Soy Milk and Donuts

It sounds unusual at first but this sweet-and-savory combination is becoming one of Korea’s hottest summer food trends.

Every summer seems to bring a new viral Korean food trend, and this year’s most unexpected pairing might be the strangest yet: cold soy milk and twisted donuts.

Across Korean social media, people are pouring chilled soy milk into bowls and adding kkwabaegi (Korean twisted donuts), glutinous rice donuts, red bean donuts, and even Korean-style corn dogs.

At first glance, many foreigners wonder, “Why would anyone put a donut in soy milk?” But after trying it, many say the combination is surprisingly addictive.

An Old Idea With a Korean Twist

The concept isn’t entirely new.

In Chinese cuisine, youtiao (fried dough sticks) are traditionally enjoyed with warm soy milk as a popular breakfast. The Korean version, however, gives the pairing a completely different feel.

Instead of warm soy milk, Koreans use ice-cold soy milk similar to the rich soybean broth served with kongguksu (cold soybean noodles). And instead of savory fried dough, they add sweet market snacks like twisted donuts and glutinous rice donuts.

The result is a refreshing dessert that’s creamy, nutty, chewy, and lightly sweet all at once.

Two Ways to Enjoy It

There are no strict rules.

Some people cut the donut into bite-sized pieces and eat it like cereal, letting it soak up the soy milk until it becomes soft and creamy.

Others prefer dipping each bite briefly to keep the outside crispy while enjoying the rich soybean flavor.

Depending on personal taste, some even add sugar for a dessert-like sweetness, while others sprinkle in a little salt for a more savory finish—echoing Korea’s long-running debate over how kongguksu should be seasoned.

Why Foreigners Find It Familiar

Although the combination initially looks unusual, many international visitors quickly recognize similar traditions from their own countries.

Across different cultures, bread, pastries, or fried dough are often dipped into milk, coffee, or soy milk. Korea’s version simply swaps in local favorites like kkwabaegi and thick, chilled soybean milk.

That familiarity makes the trend feel less strange than expected—and much easier to embrace.

Why It’s Going Viral

One reason the trend has spread so quickly is its simplicity.

Everything can be bought at a neighborhood bakery, traditional market, supermarket, or convenience store. There are no complicated recipes or cooking techniques involved.

People simply combine two familiar Korean foods to create something that feels completely new.

It’s exactly the kind of easy, visually satisfying recipe that thrives on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

Korea’s Latest Summer Comfort Food

Like many Korean food trends, this one blends familiar ingredients in an unexpected way.

Some people may never enjoy a softened donut, while others instantly fall in love with the contrast between cold, nutty soy milk and sweet fried pastry.

Whether it becomes your new favorite dessert or simply a fun food experiment, it’s another example of how Korea continues to reinvent everyday snacks—and why even the most unusual combinations often end up becoming the next viral sensation.