Pairing Wine With Korean Food

Pairing wine with Korean food can be a challenge. Not only because of the common ingredients that contribute to the bold flavors in Korean dishes, like garlic and chili oil, or the ubiquitous use of kimchi, but like many Asian countries, Korean food is meant to be communal with many dishes shared by everyone at the table. Finding a wine that will complement a variety of flavor profiles is challenging for even the most experienced wine drinker. That being said, it’s not impossible. We have some great recommendations to elevate your next Korean meal.

Best Red Wine to Pair With Korean Food

There are some great red wine pairings with Korean cuisine, just take care to choose something low in tannins and alcohol when eating the spicy dishes.

• • Barbera: juicy, light tannins and high acidity, with notes of strawberry and sour cherry

• • Lambrusco: bright with a slight bubbliness with strong berry flavor.

• • Pinot Noir: a food favorite; light on body, high on aromatics and fruit.

• • Grenache: floral with strong berry flavor and notes of citrus.

Best White Wine to Pair With Korean Food

White wines are great options for the bold, often spicy, Korean cuisine.

• • Gewurztraminer: the sweetness will counteract the spiciness and the flavor is strong enough to not be overpowered and works well with meat.

• • Riesling: It’s light, sweet, crisp and highly acidic; a food-friendly wine.

• • Albariño: Dry with high acidity and notes of lemon and grapefruit.

• • Pinot Gris: refreshing acidity with a well-balanced finish and notes of apricot.

• • Sauvignon Blanc: highly acidic, fruity, dry white with herb tones.

Bonus: Try a Sparkling Rosé with your next Korean meal. It blends all of the positive characteristics that you would want in a bottle of wine to enjoy with Korean food.

Pairing Wine With Korean Barbeque

This is a really fun way to enjoy Korean food. Typically, you will sit at a table with other friends and family and grill food in the middle of the table together for your meal. The meat is usually cut very thin and marinated beforehand. The grilled meat is usually enjoyed with bowls filled with rice, veggies, kimchi and pajeori. Here are the 3 most common Korean BBQ styles that are marinated and grilled.

Wine With Bulgogi

The marinade for bulgogi can be sweet, which offsets the peppery seasoning. Whether it is beef, pork, or chicken, a good match for this flavor profile is a Barbera, or if you’re in the mood for bubbles, try a Lambrusco.

Wine With Galbi jjim

These Korean braised short ribs are full of flavor and will pair perfectly with a Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, depending on your red or white preference. Pairing Wine With Beef Short Ribs

Wine With Samgyupsal

A wine with some body and moderate tannins to cut through the richness of this pork belly dish is needed here. We recommend Sangiovese or Shiraz.

Pairing Wine With Various Korean Dishes

Wine With Tteokbokki

These sweet and spicy rice cakes will go perfectly with a Pinot Gris or Riesling.

Wine With Bibimbap

This popular rice-based dish will pair well with a red or white, depending on the protein. With chicken or seafood, choose a Riesling. Beef or pork, a Pinot Noir will be perfect.

Wine With Korean Fried Chicken

As surprising as this may be, Champagne is always an excellent choice with fried chicken. You could also pair this dish with a sparkling Rosé or Lambrusco.

Wine With Kimbap

Kimbap, also sometimes called ‘gimbap’, is similar to sushi and will best be complemented by a Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc.

Wine With Japchae

A special occasion dish of noodles, sweet potato, vegetables, and sometimes beef. A fruity, aromatic white, like Vouvray or Sauvignon Blanc will work well.

Wine With Kimchi

Perhaps the most well-known of Korean side dishes, Kimchi consists of fermented cabbage, cucumber, or radish that has been infused with Gochujang. This spicy dish will be best served with an herby Sauvignon Blanc or Gewürztraminer.

Wine With Jajangmyeon

This noodle-based dish is topped with a black bean sauce and pork belly. A juicy red, such as Grenache or Barbera, will complement this dish well.

Wine With Dakgalbi

Dakgalbi is spicy marinated chicken with sweet potatoes and cabbage. It would be best served by an acidic white to balance the heat. Try an Albariño or Riesling.

Wine With Godeungeo Gui

Grilled mackerel is the star of this dish and as such needs a medium-bodied white like Grüner Veltliner or a light red, like a Beaujolais.