In Korea, you never drink without food. 안주 (Anju) — drinking food — is an essential part of Korean nightlife culture. Here are the best anju to pair with your drinks.
🍺 Beer Pairings
| Anju | Description | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| 치킨 (Fried Chicken) | The legendary 치맥 combo | Crispy + cold beer = perfection |
| 마른안주 (Dried Snacks) | Dried squid, peanuts, fish jerky | Salty + crunchy + easy to share |
| 떡볶이 (Tteokbokki) | Spicy rice cakes | Spicy heat cooled by cold beer |
🍶 Soju Pairings
| Anju | Description | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| 삼겹살 (Samgyeopsal) | Grilled pork belly | Fatty meat + clean soju = classic match |
| 김치전 (Kimchi Jeon) | Kimchi pancake | Crispy, tangy, perfect with soju shots |
| 골뱅이무침 (Golbaengi) | Spicy whelk salad with noodles | The #1 pojangmacha (tent bar) anju |
| 오징어 볶음 (Ojingeo) | Spicy stir-fried squid | Chewy, spicy, addictive |
🍷 Makgeolli Pairings
| Anju | Description | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| 파전 (Pajeon) | Green onion pancake | THE classic rainy day combo: makgeolli + pajeon |
| 두부김치 (Dubu Kimchi) | Warm tofu with stir-fried kimchi | Mild tofu + tangy kimchi + sweet makgeolli |
💡 Korean Drinking Culture Tip: At Korean bars and restaurants, ordering drinks WITHOUT anju is unusual. Most places require at least one anju order per table. It’s not just tradition — it’s practically a rule!
🍻 The perfect Korean night out: good friends + soju/beer + amazing anju. Now you know exactly what to order!