Pairing Kimbap correctly — a note on barley tea

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Kimbap. I ordered it with barley tea and the complex and bold elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. kimchi brine in particular became more prominent in a good way.

the communal banchan side dishes are as important as the main. The a Korean barbecue restaurant with table grills is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Kimbap with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.