Anju (안주; 按酒 [an.dʑu]) is a Korean term for food consumed with alcohol. It consists of a variety of foods, including both main dishes and side dishes. Consuming food with alcohol is a widespread practice in Korea, especially when the alcoholic beverage soju is involved.[1][2]

Anju

Bulgogi and nakji bokkeum being served as anju along with soju
Main ingredients	various
Media: Anju

Certain types of foods consumed primarily as anju include golbaengi muchim, nogari with peanuts, and jokbal.

History

Until the Chosun Dynasty, alcohol was mainly served in jumaks (a type of inn or tavern), where soups with rice, along with traditional alcohol such as makgeolli, were served to guests. Since the introduction of beer and Western foods into Korea, mainly from Japan in the nineteenth century, bars and pubs have enjoyed a newfound popularity, and many types of Western foods have been consumed as anju. [3]

By types of beverage

Some foods are considered to be best complemented by certain types of alcohol. For example, samgyeopsal, grilled pork belly, is considered to go best with soju, while fried chicken or Korean seasoned chicken goes well with beer. Pajeon and makkeoli (or dongdongju) is a popular combination for rainy days.[4]

By the place where alcohol is served

There are a number of different types of bars in South Korea, and each category sells different kinds of food and alcoholic beverages.

• Jumak: this does not refer to the traditional Korean inns of the Chosun Dynasty mentioned above, but instead refers to a conceptual bar based on Korean culture. These bars are represented by traditional anju such as pa-jun, dubu-kimchi, or dotori-muk.
• Hof house (Korean pronunciation: [ho.pʰɯ ha.u.sɯ]):[5] Hof houses (a German loan word) sell a number of relatively inexpensive alcoholic beverages. Various international dishes are served here as well.
• Pojangmacha: It is a place where tents are placed on the side of the road and snacks and alcohol are sold. Mainly simple side dishes are sold.

Sample images

• 
  Nogari (young Alaska pollock) with peanuts
• 
  Nakji bokkeum with somyeon (fried octopus in gochujang with fine noodles)
• 
  Dubu kimchi

See also

• Aahaan kap klaem (Thai drinking food)
• Sakana (Japanese drinking snacks or small plates)
• Pulutan (Filipino drinking food)
• Tapas (Spanish drinking snacks or small plates)
• Meze (Eastern Mediterranean small plates sometimes served with alcoholic drinks)
• Korean alcoholic beverages

References

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Anju.

• "Anju (안주)" (in Korean). The Hankyoreh. 2003-11-16. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
• "Anju (안주)" (in Korean). 한국민족문화대백과, 한국학중앙연구원.