Soju & Makgeolli
The traditional Korean drinks of soju and makgeolli are both enjoying a renaissance amongst drinkers in Seoul.
Makgeolli is a milky-colored rice wine with a taste somewhere between Japanese sake and beer. Baekseju Village (1317-11 Seocho-Dong, Seocho-Gu near Gangnam subway station Tel: +82 2 595 1003) offers a range of specially prepared Korean traditional wines from the company's own brewery, together with some delicious side dishes. The roasted pork slices (bossam) braised with red pepper paste (gochujang) come highly recommended.
Soju is a distilled liquor similar to Japanese shochu and packs a real kick. Chungdam Ann Sojubang (118-19 Chungdam-Dong, Gagnam-Gu / +82 2 541 6381) offers excellent king ribs and pan-broiled octopus with your deceptively alcoholic fruit soju cocktails.
Cheers!