Easy Korean Banana Milk

Craving something sweet and nostalgic? Korean banana milk is the perfect blend of creamy goodness and fruity delight, beloved by all ages. It's a treat you can whip up in minutes. Ready to bring a little taste of Korea to your kitchen? Let’s dive in!

This banana milk recipe has become my go-to because my kids never have the time to sit down and have breakfast, especially my gym-going son. But while a quick, filling drink is a great reason to try this recipe for banana milk, it’s not the only one.

From the very first sip, the drink is a burst of pure, unadulterated banana flavor that engulfs you and takes you back to carefree days spent running wild, where all it took to banish frowns was a drink.

Jump to:

• WHY TRY THE KOREAN BANANA MILK RECIPE?
• WHAT IS KOREAN BANANA MILK?
• WHY IS KOREAN BANANA MILK SO POPULAR?
• IS KOREAN BANANA MILK HEALTHY?
• HOW TO MAKE KOREAN BANANA MILK
• MY TIPS FOR BANANA MILK
• SUBSTITUTES FOR BANANA MILK INGREDIENTS
• EASY SUMMER DRINK RECIPES
• 📖 Recipe

WHY TRY THE KOREAN BANANA MILK RECIPE?

WHAT IS KOREAN BANANA MILK?

I, and I bet most households in India, grew up drinking banana milk. We just called it a banana shake. When we were too rushed to have a proper breakfast before school or college, quick banana shakes sufficed.

It’s the same beverage, just with a different moniker: banana milk or banana uyu. A beloved culinary treasure in South Korea, it was launched way back in the mid-1970s by a Korean beverage company – Binggrae.

Today, it’s found everywhere in the country and, of course, elsewhere, and is instantly recognizable by the iconic and eye-catching packaging it’s sold in.

WHY IS KOREAN BANANA MILK SO POPULAR?

Essentially banana-flavored milk, the drink became popular after the South Korean government pushed more people to consume milk. Since the beverage has a rich, sweet, and creamy taste, it appealed to both adults and kids alike, gaining popularity. Now, banana milk holds nostalgia for many. 

IS KOREAN BANANA MILK HEALTHY?

Made from real, ripe bananas—nature's gift of potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber—Korean banana milk is a great way for some guilt-free indulgence. So, with each sip, you not only nourish your body but also throw a party for your taste buds, as long as you don’t go too heavy-handed on the sweetener.

HOW TO MAKE KOREAN BANANA MILK

Step 1: Blitz banana, milk, vanilla extract, and sweetener of your choice in a blender.

Step 2: Taste test, adjust, and blend some more till you have nice, smooth, creamy banana milk.

Final step: Pour and enjoy!

MY TIPS FOR BANANA MILK

• For the best Korean banana milk, use ripe bananas. The more ripe they are, the sweeter the taste!
• If you love the creamy feel of banana flavor, I strongly suggest freezing the banana. Peel your ripest one, slice it, and stick it in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight.

SUBSTITUTES FOR BANANA MILK INGREDIENTS

Milk: Want to know how to make banana milk creamier? Try whole milk. While any milk will give you delicious, delicious results, more fat content helps make the drink richer.

Vegan banana milk: Use plant-based milk like oat, cashew, or almond milk.

Sugar: Cane or raw sugar; maple syrup or honey – everything works like a charm in a banana milk Korean recipe. You can add as much or as little as you want. If your bananas are at the tail end of ripeness, you might not even need any sweetener.

Add-ons: I like to add peanut butter to Korean banana milk to up the protein content for my son. Cocoa powder would give the milk a chocolaty turn, and instant coffee powder would give it that full-bodied mouthfeel.

Vanilla extract is optional, but it does add a wonderful flavor.

EASY SUMMER DRINK RECIPES

Half the joy of cooking is sharing it with others, which is why I’m always eager to hear from you. So go right ahead and drop a comment or reach out on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, or Facebook. I hope you love this Korean banana milk as much as we do!

📖 Recipe