This is Binggrae's the Banana Flavored Milk! This is Korean version packaging of the milk. I'm not sure how many non-Korean would have tried this, but this is one of the 'traditional' Korean drink and its popularity has been going strong even after 35 years. A lot of Koreans have nostalgic childhood memory of this milk since most Koreans went to public bathhouse/sauna regularly and right after the nice hot bath I'm sure many people made it a ritual to drink this Banana Milk.
As you can see the packaging is itself is very interesting and easy to remember.
I visited Binggrae's site and they say that the original bottle design was inspired by Korean traditional jar called Hanggari like below.
Back then, too many people started to leave farm and move to city so the bottle was designed to have a nostalgic effect to people of their hometown. And since then it became a signature packaging that would be burned into everyone's image of Banana Milk and the packaging hasn't changed since then.
Also, one might ask but...why...Banana of all things?
Well...around 70's many Koreans were having malnutrition problem due to lack of food and government recommended people to start drinking more milk to solve that problem. However, many Koreans preferred spicy over anything too sweet or thick and milk was little too sweet and thick for Koreans at that time. However, banana was considered luxurious and expensive fruit for them at that time and being able to taste that flavor in something they can afford like Banana Flavored Milk was the selling point. Korea flourished after that and all food problem got solved but by then everyone already got hooked on Banana Milk and the popularity never subsided.
This packaging is specially made for exporting to other countries including the States. Even here in the States many Korean immigrants get nostalgic over this milk. During the 70's it was a reminder of the hometown and now our native country. Many Koreans are happy to see this milk at the Korean markets and probably still drink this more happily than regular milk. *sip*sip*
Here's one of many commercials from Binggrae. I had to get another one. These girls are popular group called Girls's Generation. Enjoy!
Found another commercial with Lee MinHo.
Popularity: 63%
Ahahaha!
I’m very glad to see this “Banana Milk”
Suddenly several memories poped up when I saw these
photos.
Thank you!
Right? One and only Banana Milk ^^
that’s my favorite banana milk T__T
i only found it in 1 market in the U.S and they have it in those stupid boxes. i want the carton!
LOL Yes Rose…it’s all about the shape right? sadly we can only get the boxed ones in the States…sigh…
I always saw banana milk on Korean drama so I wanted to try some. I went to my local Asian market and they had it! I brought one to try it out and it’s way better than the 2% milk! I never really liked anything banana flavored but the milk has a faint taste and it’s not too sweet! I love it soo much! Oh and I’m Chinese so I guess that’s non-korean. Hehehehe.
Hello Miranda,
Glad you like the milk! Some people drink ONLY this milk. I, too, don’t really get any banana flavored drinks (usually prefer strawberry only) but this milk is something else isn’t it? ^^
By the way…What kind of dramas are you watching? Maybe you are more up to date about Korean dramas than I am LOL.
Do you listen to Korean music and stuff too??
I’m filipino but I looove this stuff so much. I’m hooked!
I need them in big cartons/boxes coz small ones cannot satisfy me! XD
Ha hah I know what you mean!
They come in small cartons so you might have to finish multiple of them before you are satisfied!
I think this banana milk truly is something!
Good to hear that EVERYONE loves this…
Mmmm..I want some now…
Wow! Banana Milk I Always see the commercial of this Product endorsed by Lee Min Ho haha! the commercial is so Funny! ^_^
my sister Always buy this stuff in a korean Store near us..
I am a Filipino too hehe! love e’m its so Delicious haha!
BTW nice Site I think i will try some of your Recipies ^_^
anyone know whr can i buy this banana milk in singapore?
thanks ^^
Hey, folly
I just bought some at a korean mart, i think its called Shine Korea Supermarket. its situated in the building next to sim lim square near bugis. Its priced at SGD1.00, which I think its quite reasonable (around the same price for normal milk). But of course the taste is unbeatable. :D
Not trying to be a nutrition freak here, but if you read the ingredients, I’m not sure if you want to drink this.. This is “not” milk. It’s just a high sugar drink with vanilla syrup or something like that.
True, I remember my mom saying that. But the one I’m drinking now says that it contains: milk, water, sugar, skim milk powder, banana juice concentrate, etc. Of course this isn’t good for your health. But you know what, I’d still drink it.
Hey Bo,
I just so happened to read this while drinking some of banana milk and so I’ve got the list of ingredients listed on the carton right here. I’ll just list ‘em off.
Ingredients: Milk, Water, Sugar, Skim Milk Powder, Whey Powder, Banana Juice Concentrate, Artificial Flavors, Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Carrageenan, Guar Gum, Annatto
So it technically does have milk in it. ^_^ Sure it may not be healthy… but it sure is yummy.
can i Buy the banana milk please?
I stumbled upon a Korean convenience store near my dorm some time last year and discovered this banana milk (there’s strawberry milk too). Now, I’m hooked. Whenever I can, I stop by the store just to buy banana milk. My cat loves it too! XD But I really do want to try drinking from the traditional container design. They only have the ones in cartons in here.
It just doesn’t taste the same without the original packaging :(
where can i buy this in the philippines? I read that there are other filipinos here as well who’ve already tried this, where can I buy it? :)
Where can i get this milk in Manchester? i miss drinking it so so so much….