Pairing Japchae correctly — a note on soju

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Japchae. I ordered it with soju and the complex and bold elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. gochujang chilli paste in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Korean cuisine integrates fermented ingredients like kimchi as a health and preservation tradition. The a Korean barbecue restaurant with table grills is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Japchae with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.