But now there is an even easier way to get your hands on some quality makgeolli, cheongju, takju or soju. Korean alcohol bottle shops are popping up all over Seoul and other cities around Korea, and they are wonderlands of variety and cutting edge new releases. We took the liberty of selecting the five best for your sool shopping pleasure, so read on and get ready to part with some of your hard-earned cash all in the name of delicious sool!
1. Aejoo Geumho (애주 금호)
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- Address: 50 Maebong 10-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Geumho Station exit 4) (서울특별시 성동구 매봉10길 50)
- Hours: 12:00 – 22:00, everyday
- Instagram: Aejoo Geumho
2. Soolsool Store (술술 상점)
Soolsool store is doubly dedicated to Korean sool, as you can already see in their name. It is another Korean sool bottle shop stocked with makgeolli, cheongju, yakju, soju, and even some Korean wine. In addition to Korean sool, Soolsool Store also has an assortment of domestic craft beer. Some of the beers are also on tap, so be sure to ask for a free tasting. Also keep an ear out for a makgeolli tasting events coming up in the future.
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- Address: 10 Toegye-ro 30-gil, Pil-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 필동 퇴계로30길 10 1층)
- Hours: 11:00 – 21:00, closed on Sundays
- Instagram: Sool Sool Store
3. 2 You Bar Jamsil (이유있는 술집)
There is another store to buy your favorite makgeolli in Jamsil. 2 You Bar (pronounced ee-you-itneun sool jip) has perfectly adapted to the current corona measures, featuring a no-contact purchasing system where you have to make a reservation to visit. You will be required to pay using a self-checkout system, as well as picking out the products you would like to buy in advance. 2 You Bar offers 15% off all the written prices according to their official Instagram. Unlike the rest of the bottle shops, 2 You bar has chain stores across the country including two in Seoul, Uijeongbu, Cheonan, Seosan, Iksan, and more than five in Busan.
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- Address: 54-24 Baekjegobun-ro 7-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 송파구 백제고분로7길 52-24 지하 1층 B01호)
- Hours: 09:00 – 22:00, everyday
- Instagram: 2 You Bar Jamsil
4. Orange Bottles (오랜지바틀)
If you are looking for some more diversity in one store, visit Orange Bottles. They have three stores, which are Yeongdeungpo, Hannam, and Anyang. The store in Anyang would be a great option for people living in the southern part of Gyeonggi-do. Orange Bottles is more of a conventional wine shop, carrying a wholesome range of wine, whiskey and craft beer in addition to Korean sool. They often have sale events where you can get discounts and various “specialty sets”, making it especially worth visiting during the holiday seasons. A smart pickup service is also available, letting clients reserve bottles online and pick them up at their desired store.
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Locations:
- Address: 10 Gukhoe-daero 54-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 영등포구 국회대로54길 10)
- Address: 43-1 Dokseodang-ro 39(samsipgu)-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 성동구 독서당로39길 43-1)
- Address: 256 Dongan-ro, Bisan-dong, Dongan-gu, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 안양시 동안구 비산동 동안로 256)
- Hours: 13:00 – 21:00, closed on Mondays
- Website: https://orangebottles.com/
5. K Bottleshop (한국술 바틀샵)
Another store located in Hongdae has a curated selection of Korean sool, including makgeolli, cheongju, yakju, distilled, and even craft beer. Because of the location, it is more accessible for those living north of the Han River. Standing out from the bottle shop crowd with its young and trendy interior and display, The K Bottleshop will be a go-to resource for all kinds of Korean alcohol shoppers in Mapo-gu.
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- Address: 5 Wausan-ro 29ba-gil, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 마포구 서교동 와우산로29바길 5)
- Hours: 10:00 – 11:00 (closed on Mondays)
- Instagram: KBottle Shop
