What is Korean Anju?

Anju are side dishes or snacks that are enjoyed alongside an alcoholic beverage in Korea. Food and alcoholic drinks go hand-in-hand in Korea, with many bars or clubs actually requiring customers to order a light bite alongside their pint. Savoury and spicy foods are typically preferred over the sweet, as well as easy to eat finger-foods taking priority.

Traditionally, soju, liquor made from rice, was the go-to drink in Korean bars, however, in recent years branded liquors, wine and beer have grown massively in popularity. Anju can also be served in the home if drinks are being enjoyed before or after a meal is served.

Fried Foods

It seems that fried food is a universal must-have when drinking, and Korea is no exception. One of the most popular forms of anju is fried dishes, including fried chicken and French fries. These are commonly ordered as a quicker bite to eat and make great drinking snacks as they are pre-portioned and ready to eat with your hands if necessary.

Savoury Snacks

Savoury foods are much preferred over sweet treats when it comes to anju. Popular Korean dishes such as soondae, a Korean blood sausage, or pajeon, a Korean omelette, make ideal anju portions. Almost all savoury Korean dishes can be served up as anju, however, despite being some of the most commonly eaten foods in Korea, soup and white rice will almost never be served in bars.

Finger Food

Easy eating is one of the key aspects of anju, making finger food an ideal option for many. While some standard options such as crisps or crackers will be available, nibbles best enjoyed in Asia, such as dried squid or dried anchovies can also be dished up.

Nuts and Salty Snacks

With many pubs across the world serving up a bowl of nuts on the bar, it is no surprise that these salty snacks make excellent anju portions. With Koreans asserting that salt helps the absorption of alcohol, many different salty snacks can be found on offer, including pretzels. It is also thought that these salty nibbles taste best when enjoyed alongside a beer.

Spicy Food and Bold Flavours

Although strong flavoured spicy foods may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of a snack to enjoy alongside a drink, many Koreans love a spicy anju dish. Many fish dishes can be included in this category, and are often highly spiced, such as spicy stir-fried octopus or squid, spicy crab or kimchi. Other dishes, like the moon snail salad, are served coated in a spicy sauce. If the dishes aren’t packed full of heat, then they will be filled with flavour, with dishes such as jokbal (pigs trotters) braised in an assortment of flavourful ingredients.

Fruit

While sweet treats are largely off the menu when it comes to anju, fruit is a very popular option, especially as an easy snack in nightclubs. Plates of fruit will be placed on the bars and tables and can contain both fresh and dried fruits.

Pairing the Anju With the Alcohol

While there are no strict rules when it comes to what drink you should enjoy with which dish, some food items are thought to pair better with particular drinks. Dishes such as grilled pork belly, for example, are thought to work best with a traditional cup of soju, whereas slightly more westernised dishes such as fried chicken are paired with beer.

If you are looking to hosting your own Korean-inspired dinner party and want to pair your alcoholic drinks with anju, Oriental Mart has everything you’ll need for the perfect night, including soju, in the UK.

Image Credit: riNux