Pairing Korean Fried Chicken correctly — a note on makgeolli rice wine

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Korean Fried Chicken. I ordered it with makgeolli rice wine and the sweet, spicy, and savoury at once elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. kimchi brine in particular became more prominent in a good way.

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