You’ll want to savor it all during your visit to Korea, from traditional foods to delightful drinks. And, of course, you can’t miss out on Korea’s favorite alcoholic beverage: Makgeolli! The problem with tourists coming to Korea is that whenever they try to find Makgeolli they’ll only find one type being served which is your commercial Aspartame filled and overly sweetened Makgeolli, or the pasteurized versions that are mostly only found in Korea.
This article will explain the types of dining experiences you can enjoy in Korea when it comes to Makgeolli, so you have an opportunity to discover all the great options and the vast amount of Craft, Traditional, and Commercial Makgeolli you can enjoy in your next visit to Seoul.
Here are five types of restaurants and bars you should be aware of before diving into the Makgeolli experience in Seoul.
These places are popular local hangouts, especially on rainy days when people love to enjoy Makgeolli, even in their comfy PJs and Korean “Samdidas sandals” (These are cheap sandals that lots of students use to wear, sometimes you’ll still find them in restaurants)
The menus typically feature various types of Pajeon, Korean fried pancakes, and other mouthwatering dishes. However, it’s worth noting that these places usually offer just one type of Makgeolli, the standard sugary variety loaded with aspartame. To learn more about the types of Makgeolli you can drink in Korea, click here
Regarding pricing, the food varies, but you can expect to pay around 4,000 won for a serving of Makgeolli. Cheers to cozy Makgeolli nights!
Upon entering, you’ll notice a wider selection of Makgeolli and even Cheongju in the fridge. Consequently, the menus might be more extensive and possibly a bit intimidating at first glance, but you’ll experience a warmer and more inviting atmosphere. These places often make for excellent dating spots with their charming ambiance.
Most of the places don’t have a friendly English menu, so make sure you check out our post of the Makgeolli categories you should be aware of so that it will give you a better perspective on what to order and make you more confident at the time of ordering your Makgeolli.
Here’s a quick glimpse to help:
Usually, at these places anything that’s 10,000 Krw won and below at 6% ABV will be an aspartame type of Makgeolli.
Anything from 10 to 15,000 KRW will have no aspartame but it will have other artificial sweeteners, such as any type of fructose, honey, or saccharine. This Makgeolli tends to not be carbonated for the most part and you can find it a bit higher in alcohol.
Anything from 15 to 20,000 Krw will be something more trendy and perhaps free of any artificial sweeteners. However, most of these Makgeolli don’t use wild yeast or traditional Nuruk. It’s a better Makgeolli that uses enzymes and yeast.
From 30,000 and above will usually be Makgeolli which has a higher content of alcohol, at least from 12 to 14 percent.
Makgeolli like this is made in smaller breweries with smaller scaling and more premium. They tend to rely mostly on wild yeast and don’t use any additives at all.
These spots boast a fantastic atmosphere, lively local vibes, and serve up delicious Pajeon.
However, they might not have an extensive selection of Makgeolli, typically carrying the sugary aspartame-laden varieties.
If you’re curious about these different types of Makgeolli, you can check out my video on the essential Makgeolli categories you should be aware of before indulging.
In these venues, you’ll often spot a friendly Korean aunty skillfully frying up Pajeon and other tasty treats right outside. Our brewery and Makgeolli shop are located in the 아현 market, probably the only place in Seoul where you can purchase food from the market and savor it alongside our handcrafted traditional Makgeolli. It’s a unique and delightful experience!
These venues offer an array of unique dishes that pair perfectly with trendier Makgeolli varieties, as well as traditional Makgeolli and Soju. What adds an extra charm to these restaurants is that their staff is knowledgeable about alcohol, and some of them are certified Korean traditional sommeliers. They make for wonderful places to have an impressive dinner, especially when entertaining overseas clients.
At our Makgeolli brewery you can enjoy an array of cool Soju Cocktails and Craft Makgeolli flavors alongside some tasty empanadas a la Ecuadorian style.
We are open with reservations on Thursdays – Fridays – Saturdays from 7 – 11pm. (To make a booking email us joe@baekusaeng.com or send us a message through our Instagram @baekusaeng.mak
So, these are some detailed breakdowns of the places where you can enjoy Makgeolli, and there’s a suitable time and place for each one. I highly recommend treating yourself to various styles of Makgeolli. And if you’re feeling adventurous and want to learn how to make it yourself, be sure to check out our brewery and shop for some fun Makgeolli tasting and Makgeolli-making activities.
