THIS MONTH'S DRINK · STORIES
Korean drinks, told through seasonal food and travel
One story a month. We pair in-season dishes with the right drink, show where you can have it, and suggest places to visit along the way, all backed by sources.
Oct2026
Silver Grass Season on Mt. Myeongseongsan: Pocheon's Sanjeong Lake Pine Needle WineMt. Myeongseongsan's silver grass blooms from mid-October to early November. Meet Sanjeong Lake Pine Needle Wine, a 30% ABV spirit from Pocheon's Sulbinneun Jeongane made by distilling “Gungye's Tears” twice and infusing it with old pine, plus the Oct. 16–18 festival and the brewery's brewing experience.
Drinks: 1Sep2026
Hwayo: Yeoju's Distilled Soju You Can Find Even at Convenience StoresWhere to buy and how to drink Hwayo 25, the distilled soju from Yeoju's Hwayo, which announced exports to 29 countries in June 2026. Hwayo's official site lists convenience stores among its retailers. Also: an autumn trip to King Sejong's tomb and Silleuksa Temple in Yeoju, just before the rice harvest.
Drinks: 1Sep2026
Autumn in Ulju: Boksoondoga Hand-crafted Makgeolli from Old Earthenware JarsAutumn in Ulju, when pears ripen and Eonyang hanu bulgogi comes to mind: Boksoondoga Hand-crafted Makgeolli, brewed with Korean rice in jars over 50 years old, with natural carbonation rising from the bottle; and Ganwoljae, filling with silver grass.
Drinks: 1Sep2026
September's Seasonal Table: Six Hansool Bottles to Travel WithIn September, omija, grapes, blue crab, new rice, rock octopus and gizzard shad are in season. We picked six Hansool bottles, from Mungyeong's Omyrose Gyeol to Haenam's Haechang Makgeolli 9, along with destinations like Mungyeong Saejae, Daebu Haesol-gil and Seongsan Ilchulbong.
Drinks: 6