Whether you’re grilling samgyeopsal with friends or munching on Yangnyeom fried chicken in front of a good ol’ K-Drama, many will tell you that the default drink for your Korean favorites should always be soju or makgeolli. However, there’s absolutely nothing stopping you from pairing wine with Korean food. In fact, it might even be the better option if you’re looking for something with lower alcohol or want a bottle big enough to share!

That isn’t even to mention that some Korean food wine pairings are a revelation in themselves—and these combinations by (Super)Natural head somm Chie Gaerlan are here to prove it. Try out these pairings at home the next time you shop natural wine in Metro Manila!

Yangnyeom Fried Chicken

With all its sweet and spicy goodness, Yangnyeom fried chicken is the one Korean dish seemingly tailor-made for a good drink shared between friends. You’ve got juicy chicken, crisp breading, and one addicting sauce.

“Many people think white wine automatically goes with white meat, but in the case of fried chicken, rosés really shine—especially if they’re sparkling,” explains Chie. “The fruitiness of Henri Milan’s Pet Nat Rosé in particular keeps up with the sweet and spicy flavor of Korean fried chicken, while the bubbles help manage that heat.”

Must-try wine pairing for Yangnyeom Fried Chicken: Henri Milan Pet Nat Rosè 2021

Japchae

Chewy yet crunchy with its mix of slippery, bouncy noodles and stir-fried vegetables and meat, Japchae is always a hit at dinners! This is savory, lightly sweet, especially fragrant with sesame oil—calling for something just as aromatic.

“A guide to pairing wine with Korean food would not be complete without a wine literally named Koreaa,” says Chie. “While it might be from Austria, it’s an easygoing white wine with pear and herbal spice notes that would fit right in with many Korean dishes, Japchae included.”

Must-try wine pairing for Japchae: Judith Beck Koreaa 2020

Korean BBQ

Imagine your classic Korean barbecue night: fatty cuts of samgyeopsal and woo-samgyeop sizzling away on a grill, with lots of Korean banchan and garlic to pile onto it with either lettuce, perilla leaf, or good ol’ rice. Thinking of red meat, some might grab a red wine and call it a day, but there’s more to this pairing than just protein.

“To really make a pairing with Korean barbecue sing, you need to think of its other elements, like kimchi, ssamjang, and garlic,” explains Chie. “All of these have some funkiness to them, which makes Korean Barbecue overall a great pairing with an aromatic orange wine—you get a bit of funk to go with your sides, some tannins and good acidity to refresh your palate so you can have bite after bite of meat.”

Must-try wine pairing for Korean BBQ: Sylvie Augereau Peaux 2019

Bibimbap

Probably the most iconic Korean dish out there, arranging tender meat and fresh and pickled vegetables alike over a bed of rice. But the magic really begins when you mix it all together with the slightly spicy gochujang sauce it comes with. You get crunchy and soft, spicy and sweet, fresh and pickled—what’s not to love?

“There’s a lot going on in bibimbap, and I would personally pair it with a wine that has a similar complexity,” Chie says. “Dario Princic’s Bianco Jakot is a very good example of that: it’s a walk on the wild side, and can be very polarizing! But it’s an orange wine with many different notes of herbs, candied ginger, and yellow fruit that would fit right in with the flavors of bibimbap.”

Try wine pairing for bibimbap: Dario Princic Bianco Jakot 2017

Jjajjangmyeon

For lots of deep, earthy, umami goodness, you need not look any further than a bowl of jjajjangmyeon. Topped with a thick sauce of black beans, diced pork, and vegetables, it’s a one-way street to a food coma—and you can make the ride a lot smoother with the right wine.

“Jjajjangmyeon has a lot of earthiness to it, and the lightly sweet sauce can feel heavy after a while,” Chie describes. “I would choose a white wine with vibrant acidity to reset your taste buds, but also with a lot of earthy, mineral notes to complement the flavors in the jajangmyeon, like the Henri Milan Le Grand Blanc.”

Must-try wine pairing for Jjajjangmyeon: Henri Milan Le Grand Blanc 2018

Haemul Pajeon

For a spot of seafood in a Korean feast, Haemul Pajeon is a reliable crowd-pleaser. Both soft and crispy, this savory scallion pancake goes hard on shrimp, squid, and clams—and it’s often the perfect size for sharing!

“Few pairings are as easy as a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with seafood,” explains Chie. “However, if you want a twist on the classic, Maria & Sepp Muster’s Sgaminegg is a blend of Sauv Blanc Chardonnay. There’s good acid and subtle fruit, but you also get some smoke and a hint of sea breeze—a great match with a seafood pancake with a bit of char on it!”

Must-try wine pairing for Haemul Pajeon: Maria and Sepp Muster Sgaminegg 2018

Galbi-jjim

If you happen to be serving Korean for a special occasion, the savory-sweet flavors of Galbi-jjim are sure to be a hit. And when you’re expecting plenty of richness and tenderness from these braised beef short ribs, red wines are always a good choice.

Specifically, Chie would recommend looking for a red with a balance of juicy and savory notes, to go with the apples or pairs that often sweeten the dish, as well as aromatics like ginger. She adds, “something smooth, with just the right amount of acidity and smooth tannins, like the Henri Milan CLOS Milan Rouge.”

Must-try wine pairing for Galbi-jjim: Henri Milan CLOS Milan Rouge 2019

Tteokbokki

A balancing act of sweet and spicy, tteokbokki is a crowd favorite for a night at home watching your new favorite K-Drama. And while these chewy rice cakes pack a spicy punch, it’s the sweet and umami depth that keeps you coming back for more—until you just can’t.

“Tteokbokki can feel heavy on the mouth after a while,” says Chie, “which is why I pair it with a wine with good acidity to clear your palate, as well as fruitiness to help tame the spice and complement how bold the sauce is. One of my favorites is Microbio’s Correcaminos—very beachy and easy drinking.”

Must-try wine pairing for Tteokbokki: Microbio Correcaminos 2020

Where to buy natural wine in Manila

If you want to shop natural wine for your next Korean feast, (Super)Natural is the best online wine store to start: it’s home to cult status bottles by highly-esteemed makers from around the world, from Henri Milan and Le Mazel in France to even Austrian mavericks like Gut Oggau and Maria & Sepp Muster. We carry natural wines for every occasion (and every cuisine on the menu!), ranging approachable to funky and crazy adventurous bottles for every wine lover out there.

Buy natural wines at supernaturalwine.ph online and enjoy same-day delivery in Metro Manila when you place your order before 2 PM.