3 Seoul Bars Where New Generation Brewers Will Teach You Craft Makgeolli

Makgeolli is a traditional alcoholic beverage that continues to see new brewers emerge. We visited a bar with a discerning owner who brought us a bottle of it.

photo: Tetsuya Ito, Kazuharu Igarashi / text: Koji Okano / coodination: Hyojeong Choi

We went to a bar where we learned about craft makgeolli.

Space (Konggan) Thitungsan

Hanseong University Station

Popular for its creative dishes made with homemade seasonings

The restaurant opened in 2020 and revamped its menu in February 2025, allowing customers to enjoy homemade natural makgeolli by the glass. The dishes are primarily creative, featuring homemade fermented seasonings such as miso. Many customers also come to enjoy the seasonal makgeolli, which are made with fruit and other ingredients. Owner Son Dae-young is a former space designer, and his sense of style can be seen in the interior, which combines a variety of wood materials.

Namul bibim noodles and tidton santakje
Namul Bibimbap noodles are 14,000 won. Their signature brand, Titton Santatchae, has an alcohol content of 10% and a dry taste. A bottle costs 24,000 won, and a glass costs 10,000 won.

Saonso

Shangsuido Cave

A selection of natural makgeolli made with secondary ingredients

Located in Sangsu, next to Hongdae, where a steady stream of restaurants with a relaxed atmosphere are opening, this restaurant is scheduled to open in February 2023. Owner Lee Woo-gon, who previously ran a wine bar, collaborated with a makgeolli brewery in Korea to produce and serve an original brand using secondary ingredients. It is paired with dishes with distinct flavor profiles, and is well-received by first-time customers as it pairs well with the robust flavor of makgeolli.

Traditional Liquor Tasting Board
The traditional alcohol tasting board costs 15,000 won. It features four types of makgeolli. Since traditional alcohol experts select the drinks every week, soju and cheongju may also be included.

woori yeahsool

Dongdaemun

Fresh makgeolli poured from the tap

Opened in 2023 by three makgeolli-loving people in their 20s who were friends from school days, the restaurant offers five types of freshly made makgeolli on tap, which are poured into glasses with ice for a perfect concentration. The ordering process is unique: first, you answer a makgeolli-related questionnaire, and then you're served a welcome drink. The food is mainly Asian, with the spicy spare ribs stew being particularly popular.

Grum Grum
Gurumgurum is made from rice and brewed with figs, cherries, and oatmeal, all specialties of Gangjin County. It costs 59,000W per bottle and 10,500W per glass.

More natural and free. The current state of makgeolli led by new generation makgeolli maker Yunjudang

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