DRINKS AND KOREAN BBQ:
In most western cultures wine pairs perfectly with meat, but in Korea, a classic red wine would NOT go well with the mixture of ingredients in your meal.
Therefore, we have some alcoholic beverages for you to try. Pssstt.. We added a non-alcoholic beverage for the underaged ones too!
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Soju
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Almost everyone consumes Soju when they are out for dinner. It is one of the well-known drinks in South Korea.
It is traditionally made with rice grains, wheat, or barley. However, in modern times, starch is used to replace rice, like sweet potatoes and potatoes.
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Soju is like vodka but with various flavors. You may find apple, plum, strawberry, or even original flavored Soju.
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Makgeolli
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Makgeolli is a Korean rice wine that is low on alcohol. It has an unfiltered milky taste which pairs perfectly with the meat.
It is referred to as a communal beverage rather than hard liquor, and you may find them being sold in plastic bottles.
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It is said to be one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in Korea. During those times, different ingredients were used to create various flavors of Maekgeolli. Now, there are a variety of flavors such as chestnut, strawberry, and honey.
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Maesil-ju
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It is traditional Korean plum infused with alcohol making it into plum wine or liquor.
It is made with ripe hwangmae which are yellow-colored plums and is also known as Chinese or Japanese plums.
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The plum is dried and soaked in Soju for about 100 days in a glass container. Sugar is added when the fruits are removed and can be consumed immediately.
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Maesil-cha
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This is the non-alcohol infused plum tea. It is traditionally made and is known as Korean herbal tea.
The most common way to make the beverage is by mixing maesil-cheong which means plum syrup with water. Other than that, it is also made with maesil (fresh plums) or omae (smoked plums).
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If you were to try the smoked plums, you may look for the name omae-cha in the menu as it is smoked plum tea.
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Carbonated Drinks
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Drinks such as coke and sprite are also widely enjoyed by Koreans. Occasionally, Fanta or Chilsung cider is an option when eating at a Korean barbeque.
Chilsung is Korea’s number one carbonated beverage and their ambassadors are none other than K-pop’s biggest boy group BTS.
Also, you may check our Korean BBQ Types and Korean BBQ Restaurants blogs to learn more!
Let us know in the comments below which flavors are your favorite when paired with Korean BBQ!
