Hwayo · Kwangjuyo
A distilled soju made from 100% Korean rice and aged in onggi, brewed in Yeoju, Gyeonggi by the ceramics company Kwangjuyo Group.
The brewery's story
Hwayo is a distilled soju created by the ceramics company Kwangjuyo Group while searching for a Korean liquor that would suit its tableware. The name comes from splitting the character so (燒) of soju (燒酒) into hwa (火, fire) and yo (堯, something lofty and noble). It is made from 100% Korean rice and bedrock water from 150 m underground; the spirit is vacuum-distilled, aged in onggi earthenware and bottled without additives. Hwayo was founded in 2003, released Hwayo 25 and Hwayo 41 in 2005 and has kept producing at its Yeoju plant ever since.
Liquors brewed here
Visit & experience
Hwayo's headquarters are at 848 Gyeongchung-daero, Ganam-eup, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi (031-881-3057), and its production plant is also in Ganam, Yeoju. As of 2024, the official website lists no public tour or experience program, only retailers and Kwangjuyo's own stores. You can buy Hwayo at Kwangjuyo's Icheon Center store (3234 Gyeongchung-daero, Sindun-myeon, Icheon-si, Gyeonggi; 031-632-4864) and Hannam store (28 Hannam-daero 20-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul; 02-3446-4800). It is also sold at large supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores and some Costco locations nationwide; stock varies by store.