If you haven’t realized already we here at Modern Seoul love Makkoli as well as Dongdongju. There is much (if any) difference between Dongdongju and Makkoli, it’s a fermented drink which normally has a rice base. Here are the key details and my brief thoughts;

Name: 옥수수 동동주
Size: 7500ml
Alcoholic Percentage: 6%
Price: roughly 1500won
Producer: Baedoga / 배혜정도가 (Website – baedoga.co.kr)

Overall it was better than expected, it has a nice aroma and taste, without any aftertaste. It tastes natural and rich, with a thick yellow appearance. The only negative it that it’s not really Corn Dongdongju, it’s just partly corn but in fact mostly rice. That won’t matter to most people (including us) but it should be mentioned. At the end of the day this is a tasty drink and slightly different from the normal Rice Wines / Makkolis.

Pictures of Corn Dongdongju / Makkoli

Finally

Any thoughts, comments or questions. Feel free to comment below or message me via Twitter.

Tim
tim@modernseoul.org
@tpbarnes86

Craft Beer has become big business around the world and although demand has died down in South Korea it’s still pretty popular. The larger supermarkets are good places to find a nice selection, especially from Domestic Korean Brewers. Not long ago we tried out Jeolla Ale from 7Bräu, here are the key details and my brief thoughts;

Name: 전라 – Jeolla Ale
Size: 330ml
Alcoholic Percentage: 4.5%
Price: roughly 4000won (it was 3 for 9500 at Homeplus)
Producer: 7Bräu

Overall it’s a nice beer, however it’s a little overpriced for what it is and honestly there are nicely ales and beers in general at this price point. As part of a bundle it’s not bad to be fair. The taste and aroma are both enjoyable and not over powering. It pours nicely and has a nice light ale color. Overall it’s solid, but sadly a little expensive in my opinion. If you see it discounted or part of a bundle sale give it a go, otherwise maybe pass.

Pictures of Jeolla Ale Korean Craft Beer

Finally

Any thoughts, comments or questions. Feel free to comment below or message me via Twitter.

Tim
tim@modernseoul.org
@tpbarnes86

Luck can come in many different forms, from a lottery win to a good day at work. For me I often get lucky whilst checking out the discount section at my local Homeplus. Everyone enjoys a good bargain and I was very fortunate to find a half price eight can pack of Guinness towards the end of last year. The price worked out at a less over ₩1000 a can or around $1. The reason for the discount is unclear, but they didn’t taste 50% cheaper :).

What: Guinness Pack of x8 440ml cans
When: November 2018
Where: Homeplus
Price: ₩8,900 (reduced 50% from ₩17,800)

Basically this was a really lucky find, but not crazy uncommon. There are often single beers discounted 20-30% sometimes more, however these box sets are pretty rare. They can be found in a discount area of Homeplus, but this location differs from store to store.

Pictures of Half Price Guinness – Lucky Homeplus Find

Finally

Any thoughts, comments or questions. Feel free to comment below or message me via Twitter.

Tim
tim@modernseoul.org
@tpbarnes86

Go into any CU Mart or Homeplus in South Korea and you’ll find a wide range of imported beers to choose from. So sometimes you do pick based on the picture on the side of the can, especially if those beers are part of a discount promotion. Recently we picked up a couple of beers of imported German Beer called Reeper B, one IPA and one Weissbier (Wheat Beer). Here are the key details and my brief thoughts;

Name: Reeper B.
Size: 500ml
Alcoholic Percentage: 5%
Price: roughly 3000won or x4 for 10,000
Producer Website: reeperb.de

Overall they were both enjoyable beers. Personally I preferred the IPA, it has a pleasant taste and mild fruity aroma. The Weissbier was nice but honestly tasted like a Paulaner clone, not bad but not great (in my opinion). At the end of the day I’d buy the IPA again as part of the promotional 4 for 만원, but I would pay much more and I might not buy the Weissbier again.

Pictures of Reeper B. Imported German Beers

Finally

Any thoughts, comments or questions. Feel free to comment below or message me via Twitter.

Tim
tim@modernseoul.org
@tpbarnes86

Back once again with another Makkoli (or in this case Dongdongju) review. When popping into my local CU Mart the other day a pink bottle caught my eye in the Makkoli section. It’s a Sweet Potato Dongdongju / Makkoli / Rice Wine from Woorisool. Here are the key details and my brief thoughts;

Name: 톡쏘는 고구마 동동
Size: 750ml
Alcoholic Percentage: 6%
Price: roughly 1500won
Producer: 우리술 (https://woorisool.modoo.at/)

Overall it was solid and a little better than I honestly expected. The flavor was pleasant with a nice but not over powering hint of sweet potato. I wanted a little more earthy notes, but for the price I can understand that it’s a basic product. The design is eye catching and overall the product is really nice. I’d recommend giving it a good, especially if you’re a little new to the Makkoli scene as this one is a little softer.

Pictures of Sweet Potato Makkoli / Dongdongju

Finally

Any thoughts, comments or questions. Feel free to comment below or message me via Twitter.

Tim
tim@modernseoul.org
@tpbarnes86

Recently we went for a family (couple and baby) lunch at Shy Bana which is an American Soul Food Restaurant. It’s a chain restaurant here in South Korea and we visited their location in the Square 7 shopping mall in Cheongna, Incheon.

We ordered a set menu that included mac and cheese, coleslaw, chili fries and a spaghetti dish (sorry I don’t remember the exact names). Overall the food was really nice, tasty and plenty for two people for lunch. The restaurant was clean, the menu in both Korean / English and the staff friendly and helpful. The only negative is that it was a little expensive in my opinion. I’d certainly go again, but it wouldn’t be a regular visit unless someone else is paying :). I feel it would be a nice taste of home for some people as well as being a solid date night location, maybe before or after a movie.

Pictures from Shy Bana: American Soul Food Restaurant

Finally

The Shy Bana website is shy-bana.com

Please note this isn’t a paid for review.

Any thoughts, comments or questions. Feel free to comment below or message me via Twitter.

Tim
tim@modernseoul.org
@tpbarnes86

Back once again with another quick Makkoli review. I picked up this Pocheon Wheat Makkoli from Lotte Mart, I’ve had it a few times in the past and always thought that it’s a solid Makkoli. It’s wheat based which is a little different and gives it a yellow color vs. the normal white. Here are the key fact and my brief thoughts;

Name: 포천이동밀막걸리
Size: 750ml
Alcoholic Percentage: 6%
Price: roughly 1400won
Producer: 이동 (https://edongricewine.modoo.at/)

Overall it’s another solid bottle of makkoli, but with a wheat twist. The taste is a little different, maybe slightly thicker and a bit savory. The price point, size and alcoholic content are all the same or very similar to other Rice based makkolis on the market. So it’s certainly worth a try if you come across it, and it would be a solid choice if you’re looking for something a tiny bit different.

Pictures of 이동 / Edong Wheat Makkoli

Finally

Please note this isn’t a paid for review, I bought this bottle with money from my own pocket

Any thoughts, comments or questions. Feel free to comment below or message me via Twitter.

Tim
tim@modernseoul.org
@tpbarnes86

Looking for a snack? How about a Korean Charcoal Roasted Egg? It’s commonly eaten in the Korean Saunas (jjimjilbang / 찜질방), but it’s also a nice little snack paired with a beer or during a picnic. They can be found at any local mart or convenience store, when in Korea give it a shot.

Korean Charcoal Roasted Egg

Finally

As always if you have any questions please feel free to let me know.

Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org

FiLite first launched a few years back creating a new sub genre of Korean Beers, the Sortof-Beer. FiLite isn’t technically a beer as the ingredients fall under the beer standards in Korea, this is done to avoid some local taxes. However it tastes like beer, looks like beer and has the some alcoholic percentage. So it’s basically just a cheaper way to enjoy a beverage.

In the summer of 2019 FiLite producers Hite Jinro released the third in their range, FiLite Weizen aka FiLite Orange. Here are the key facts and my opinion;

• The price is the same as FiLite Green or Blue; around 1000원 (330ml) and 1300원 (500ml). It should soon also be available in 1lt and 1.6lt bottles.
• It’s available from most marts, supermarkets and convenience stores. But not in bars and restaurants (as far as I know).
• 4.5% Alcoholic Content by Volume.

Overall thoughts; it’s another solid release from the guys over at Hite Jinro. Personally I’d rank it second behind FiLite Green, but ahead of FiLite Blue. The taste is enjoyable with a hint of orange but not too much. The aroma is pleasant and finally the price once again is very reasonable. It’s not at the same level as other Weizen beers such as Paulaner, but it’s around half the price. Overall I’d give it a go, and if it’s not for you then try the other two FiLite options.

Pictures of FiLite Weizen aka FiLite Orange

Finally a poster via the Hite Jinro Website;

Finally

For the Original FiLite Green CLICK HERE

For FiLite Fresh aka FiLite Blue CLICK HERE

As always if you have any questions or comments please feel free to let me know.

Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org

A couple of years ago Hite Jinro discovered a way around certain taxes in South Korea by producing a beer like product called FiLite. It’s become very popular and so fellow Korean Brewers OB produced a similar product called Filgood or Filgood Happoshu. Happoshu is Japanese for a beer like product.

So as already mentioned in the spring of 2019 OB created competition for the Hite Jinro FiLite range with Filgood Happoshu. Here are the key facts and my opinion;

• The price is the same as FiLite; around 1000원 (330ml) and 1300원 (500ml). It is also available in 1lt and 1.6lt bottles.
• It’s available from marts, supermarkets and convenience stores. As far as I know bars don’t serve it (yet).
• 4.5% Alcoholic Content by Volume.

Overall thoughts; just like FiLite this is a solid brew / fake beer. It’s cheap and well worth the money. It’s in my opinion better than the FiLite Fresh / Blue, but I still prefer the original FiLite to this. I personally would buy a regular OB ahead of this based on taste, but the price point of Filgood is attractive. The taste is like a larger, the aroma is nice and overall it’s a solid beer. Well worth giving a shot.

Pictures of Filgood Happoshu / Beer

Finally the gif logo via the OB Website;

Video via YouTube;

Finally

Other Sortof-Beers;

For the Original FiLite Green CLICK HERE

For FiLite Fresh aka FiLite Blue CLICK HERE

For FiLite Weizen aka FiLite Orange CLICK HERE

As always if you have any questions or comments please feel free to let me know.

Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org

On a recent trip back to my original Korean hometown of Suwon I popped into a local mart and stumbled across a bottle of Suwon Hwaseong Makkoli (수원 화성 막걸리). It is in fact produced in Yeongtong, Suwon an area which has as a solid expat population I was once part of many years ago, but maybe not much of a makkoli history.

Here are the basic details on this makkoli and my brief thoughts;

Name: 수원 화성 막걸리
Producer: 동네방네
Production Location: Yeongtong-Gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea
Alcoholic Content: 6%
Price: Around 1,500원

Thoughts; It’s a solid little bottle, similar to Seoul Makkoli and others around the same price point. Honestly it doesn’t exactly stand out from the rest of the Makkoli pack, but it also doesn’t fall behind. It has a limit aftertaste and isn’t too strong in alcohol. Overall if you see it pick it up, but it’s maybe not worth going out of your way to find.
(Rating 3/5)

Pictures of Suwon Hwaseong Makkoli (수원 화성 막걸리)

Finally

Any thoughts, comments or questions. Feel free to comment below or message me via Twitter.

Tim
tim@modernseoul.org
@tpbarnes86

When you see a can of beer for only 1000원 (around 60p UK or $1 US) your expectations are of course low but you’ve not got much to lose. This was my thinking when I picked up a can of Chinese Beer SuperX earlier this month.

The alcoholic content is below 4% which should have been a hint towards it quality. It’s pretty awful, it tastes like non-alcoholic beer. It’s plain, watery and just boring. It’s only saving grace is that it was only 1000원. But personally I’d spend a tiny bit extra and pick up a can of FiLite or similar.

There is nothing super about this beer, if you want a Chinese Beer buy Tsingtao.

SuperX Chinese Beer Pictures

Finally

For the Untapped SuperX Link CLICK HERE

As always if you have any questions let me know. Either below by Email or via Twitter or Facebook.

Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org

Who doesn’t like a like bit of nostalgia? Or at least a bit of retro. Towards the end of last year (2019) OB changed up their beer can designs to something very similar to what they looked like many years ago. The front sports their old beer mascot, whilst the back has a cheeky behind view. The can is (was, as it might not be on sell anymore) priced the same as a normal 330ml can, but it’s something a little different.

Retro Design OB Beer Can

Finally

As always if you have any questions let me know. Either below by Email or via Twitter or Facebook.

Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org

When living in South Korea you can easily find a wide range of different beers, however Cider isn’t as popular. But tastes maybe changing as Apple Fox Cider joined the growing market last year. I hadn’t tried it before but when a set of four cans and a glass was on offer down at my local Homeplus I thought I’d give it a shot.

I certainly wasn’t disappointed as this Cider which is produced in Singapore, as it has a familiar West Country bitter cider taste. This is a little more traditional than the market leader Somersby (which I also would recommend) and a little stronger. The set cost around 10,000원 ($9), and single cans cost around 3,000원 (cheaper if you buy multiple). Overall if you’re looking for a cider in South Korea I’d pick this one.

Apple Fox Cider (Singapore) Pictures

Finally

As always if you have any questions let me know. Either below by Email or via Twitter or Facebook.

Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org

Earlier this year on a visit to our local homeplus we picked up a bottle of Yenal Dongdongju. The bold black label with clean and simple white text sucked us in, and with a price around 2000원 (I don’t remember the exact cost) we picked it up.

When opening the bottle and pouring we discovered it was full of lumps (or bits), similar to Sikhye (비락식혜 for example). This is different from any dongdongju or makkoli we tried before. The overall taste was solid and the sikhye style makes it a little different. Is it the best rice wine? No. However it’s solid and at a fair price, so personally I’d give it a go if you’re looking for a change of pace.

The Basics;

Name – 옛날 생동동주
Bottle Size – 750ml
Alcohol Content – 6%
Price – around 2000원
Location – Naju, South Jeolla
Website – namdotakju.co.kr

Pictures of Yenal Dongdongju (옛날 생동동주)

Finally

As always if you have any questions let me know. Either below by Email or via Twitter or Facebook.

Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org

A while back we picked up few cans of Mocha Stout (모카스타우트) from our local Lotte Mart. We’re always on the look out for solid Korean beers and craft beers in general, and this one ticked both boxes. Here are the facts and our thoughts;

What: Mocha Stout / 모카스타우트
Who: Hand and Malt Brewing Company
Where: Supermarkets / Marts
How Much: around 3000원-4000원 (sometimes its four to 10000원)

Review; It’s a solid stout with a nice aroma and taste. It’s a little lighter than for example Guinness, but on par in regards to taste. It has seem faint coffee and chocolate notes, but they are mild. In Honestly pick up a can and try it when it’s part of the four cans for 10000원 deal, especially if you like Guinness.

Mocha Stout (Hand and Malt Korea) Pictures

Finally

Links;

beeradvocate.com

untappd.com

As always if you have any questions let me know. Either below by Email or via Twitter or Facebook.

Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org

Bit of a strange one but I thought I’d quickly share this one for anyone who might find it useful.

I recently came across some lactose free milk on a trip to Homeplus. Lactose free produces are great for people who have issues with diary, but also very young children who might have unknown lactose tolerances. I don’t remember the price but it was similar to other regular milks on the store shelves. Its produced by Seoul Milk (서울우유) and Milklab. Hopefully this information proves useful to someone.

Here are some pictures for reference;

Finally

As always if you have any questions let me know. Either below by Email or via Twitter or Facebook.

Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org

These days it is much wiser to stay at home even when you’d like to have a nice cold beer. Thankfully options in Korea are ever growing, especially in the craft beer market. Recently we picked up a can of Brown Sugar Milky Stout (흑당 밀키 스타우트) from our local CU Mart. Here are the key details and a brief review;

Brewery: Platinum Craft Beer
ABV: 5.4%
Purchased: CU Mart
Price: around 3000원 (Normally part of the four cans for 10,000 promotion)

Overall it was enjoyable, however it did taste a little weaker and less flavorful than market leader Guinness. The color is like chocolate milk, and it has a pleasant aroma. Honestly I’d stick with the imported option, but if you’re looking for a reasonably priced Korean stout this is solid.

Untapped Link Click Here

Sorry about the lack of photos, focused more on enjoying the beer over blogging

But here is a Korean blog with a good number of photos; https://m.blog.naver.com/choonbeer/221723687241

Video Review here (in Korean):

Finally

Any thoughts, comments or questions. Feel free to comment below or message me via Twitter.

Tim
tim@modernseoul.org
@tpbarnes86

Earlier this summer the news broke that Kellogg’s would bow to public pressure and finally release Chex Spring Onion Flavored Cereal (첵스파맛). A long story short, sixteen years ago a contest/survey found that Spring Onion (파) was the most in demand chex cereal favor. However it never made it into production until 2020.

This weekend I saw it at my local Lotte Mart and thought “why not?” and picked up a box for around 6000원 ($6). Here are by brief thoughts;

Review; It’s certainly different. The first spoonful was a little jarring, but once the shock wore off it’s not bad. Honestly it remains me of Cheese and Onion crisps for back home, and maybe it better eaten as a snack vs with milk.
Would I buy it again? No, the regular chocolate flavor is better.
Is it bad? No.
Would I recommend buying it? As a cereal, no. As a snack or for fun, yes.

Overall Chex Spring Onion Cereal is a 5/10. Maybe better as a snack than a cereal.

Pictures

More Information / Tweets

Telegraph Article Here

Daily Magazine Review Here

Finally

Please keep in mind this is a blog post, please don’t email or message me trying to buy this product just go to a supermarket or local mart (in Korea). Thank you.

Any thoughts, comments or questions. Feel free to comment below or message me via Twitter.

Tim
tim@modernseoul.org
@tpbarnes86

Pringles WTF (What the flavor?) is a promotion that has been used before in other regions, Australia for sure. But they’ve now dropped into the Korea market with a nice 1000만원 (roughly $10,000) price for the correct guess of the unknown flavor.

Brief Review; Although I’m sure the correct answer is something more random, for me they taste like smoky bacon or bbq. Solid yes, but nothing out of this world. Honestly give them a go if you like bbq or bacon, otherwise stick to flavors you know and love.

If you want to test your own palate then they are available at Homeplus and Lotte Mart, maybe elsewhere as well. Priced the same as other Pringles cans.

Pringles WTF (What the flavor?) – Pictures

Finally

Any thoughts, comments or questions. Feel free to comment below or message me via Twitter.

Tim
tim@modernseoul.org
@tpbarnes86