Korean Banana Milk (Banana Uyu)

Korean banana milk (banana uyu / 바나나 우유) is a lightly sweet, deliciously flavoured milk made with real bananas and a hint of floral vanilla. It isn't thick like a smoothie, instead it is thinner with a rich and silky feel. This tasty drink is crazy popular in Korea for good reason. And it only takes 2 minutes to make with simple, wholesome ingredients.

this recipe

This homemade version is additive- and refined sugar-free. You can also make it dairy-free and vegan, if desired. Kids and adults alike love this drink. It makes a refreshing, light breakfast or snack; and it is packed full of vitamins from the whole banana in each serving!

Make sure to also try this strawberry milk for another delicious, Korean, flavoured milk drink. The swirls of real strawberry throughout is so tasty.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Instructions
• Equipment
• Storage
• Origin
• Where to get Korean banana milk
• Tips for Success
• FAQ
• 📖 Recipe

Ingredients

• Banana - Use a ripe, sweet banana for the best flavour. A banana that is beginning to show black spots on the peel will be sweet.
• Milk - You can use whole, 2%, or skim milk. I used a 2% milk. See 'Variations' below for how to make this recipe without dairy.
• Ice cold water - Water is added to thin the milk and give it a silky texture. This drink is best when served cold, which is why we make it with ice cold water.
• Maple syrup - The maple adds depth and a slightly floral flavour.
• Pure vanilla extract - Use pure rather than artificial extract, if possible. It tastes of caramelized sugar and jasmine, further enhancing the floral flavours in the drink and making it closer to the original.

See the recipe card below for quantities.

Substitutions

Maple syrup - If you don't have maple syrup, I recommend substituting it with honey (2 teaspoons). The original Binggrae drink contains some light floral notes, which the maple syrup and honey add. Granulated sugar (1 ½ teaspoons) can be used instead, but you will be missing the floral taste. 

Variations

Dairy-free and Vegan - Simply swap out the milk in this recipe for unsweetened oat milk. Oat milk has the closest resemblance to milk, making it the best substitute for this recipe.

Instructions

Simply add all of the ingredients into a blender. Blend them together until they are completely smooth, like milk. (If your blender doesn't make it completely smooth, you can strain it through a sieve.)

Pour into a glass and serve immediately. Because there are no additives to prevent it, the banana will begin to darken as it sits. And after sitting for awhile, the drink will begin to show some separation (this is easy to fix with a brisk stir or shake).

Although some enjoy this drink at room temperature, it is best served cold. That's why we use ice cold water to make it, and serving immediately helps too. Although not traditional, if you want it even colder you could serve it with some ice cubes.

Equipment

You will need a blender to make this recipe. Or, you can pour the ingredients into a container and blend with an immersion blender.

blender

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immersion blender

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Storage

While this drink is best when served immediately, I recommend at least drinking the same day. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, however, the longer the drink sits, the darker the banana will become as there are no additives to prevent this.

Be sure to give Korean banana milk a good shake or whisking to resolve any separation that has occurred.

Origin

In the early 1970s, the South Korean government wanted to encourage its people to drink more milk to address malnutrition concerns. The Binggrae company found a solution in bananas. Bananas were rare and expensive in Korea at the time, so in order to taste this wonderful fruit, one would instead indulge in a delicious banana-flavoured milk.

Today, around a million Binggrae banana milk drinks are sold in Korea each day, with over six billion sold since they began production in 1974. The drink has very successfully expanded into other countries, and there are numerous other brands that produce versions of banana milk as well.

It is sold in small plastic bottles that resemble hangari (항아리) - traditional Korean earthenware jars used for preserving pickled goods such as kimchi (김치), or for making alcohol like makgeolli (막걸리). It is a nostalgic treat for many Koreans that reminds them of the joys of the simpler time and happiness of childhood.

The drink makes regular appearance in another of Korea's famous exports, K pop, and recently had a global surge in popularity after being endorsed by Jungkook, a member of the internationally famous K-pop band, BTS.

Where to get Korean banana milk

If you want to try the original Binggrae banana milk, it may or may not be available depending on the country you're in and the ingredients may have been modified for international sale. Internationally, it is usually sold in tetra pack cartons rather than the standard plastic bottles. It is available for purchase on Amazon in some countries. Otherwise, I recommend checking your local Korean grocer or a large Asian supermarket.

Binggrae banana milk

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You may be wondering, if you can easily buy it why make your own? Well, there are a few reasons:

1. It's healthier. You're using real, sweet banana that is a great source of fiber and potassium.
2. There are zero additives or preservatives.
3. It only takes 1 minute to make it.
4. The homemade version is absolutely delicious.

That's more than enough reasons for me!

Tips for Success

• Use a ripe banana with black spots on the peel. This will be naturally sweet.
• Use ice cold water to make it and serve it immediately for the best result.
• Adjust the amount of maple syrup or sweetener of your choice to suit your sweetness preference. The amount I used is for a lightly sweet beverage.
• Use a high speed blender to make the Banana uyu perfectly smooth. If your blender doesn't achieve that consistency, you can strain the drink through a fine sieve.
• Enjoy this drink immediately.

FAQ

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📖 Recipe