Korean restaurants serve dishes with exquisite blends of flavors, but many connoisseurs of this cuisine are also drawn to their beverages. If you’d like to order a drink next time you dine out at a Korean eatery, you may be unfamiliar with some of the names on the beverage menu. New Shilawon Korean Restaurant in Honolulu, HI, is here to walk you through your options.

A Guide to Beer & Liquor Served in Korean Restaurants

Korean Beer

Cass and Hite are two of the most popular types of Korean beers. The light, hoppy notes of Cass complement the rich flavors found in ribs, spicy pork, and many other Korean menu staples. Cass Light is also a diet-friendly option, with just 100 calories per 355ml serving. Like Cass, Hite is a light-bodied beer, but it may leave you feeling fuller with twice as many calories. It is brewed with rice and barley, which produces a slightly sweeter flavor than other Korean beers.

Korean Liquor

Soju, a popular Korean liquor often compared to vodka, is a spirit distilled from rice or other grains. It has been produced in Korea for hundreds of years and has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 20, falling between hard liquor and wine. Soju pairs well with Korean barbecue and can be used in cocktails in place of vodka, gin, or whiskey. For diners seeking a bit more, flavored soju and cocktail soju orders are popular at New Shilawon Korean Restaurant. One shot of soju contains approximately 65 calories.

In addition to soju, you may also find makgulri, a milky rice wine, on the menu at Korean restaurants, as well as bok bun ja and baek seju. The latter is fruit wine made from fermented raspberries, while baek seju is a rice-based alcohol characterized by notes of ginseng and other herbs. Baek seju has 95 calories per serving, and bok bun ja has as few as 20 calories.

At New Shilawon Korean Restaurant, there’s something for everyone on the menu. Whether you’re feeling adventurous and would like to try a Korean beverage, or you’d prefer to stick with red or white wine or domestic beer, there are plenty of refreshing options to pair with their delectable dishes. View the full menu by visiting the Korean restaurant online, or call (808) 944-8700 to reach a staff member. You can also connect with the restaurant on social media by finding them on Facebook, Yelp, and Instagram.