Makgeolli Night in Korea: A $7 Convenience Store Anju Set

 

Forget expensive bars and dress codes. A simple makgeolli night at home is one of the easiest ways to experience Korean food culture.

Makgeolli (Korean sparkling rice wine) is widely available at convenience stores and usually costs around $1–2 per bottle. Affordable, light, and slightly sweet, it pairs well with simple Korean side dishes.

Tonight, I prepared a small pescetarian-friendly anju set using only convenience store items.

If you’re new to shopping for vegetarian options in Korea, you may want to start with my Convenience Store Guide for a broader overview.

This $7 set includes:

• Makgeolli

• Pre-packaged stir-fried kimchi

• Soft tofu

• Instant oden cup (fish cake soup)

For pescetarians, this combination works well. The tofu balances the saltiness of the kimchi, while the oden cup provides a warm, savory side.

However, strict vegetarians should note that oden is made from fish paste. If you’re unsure about seafood-based ingredients commonly used in Korea, see my guide to Hidden Animal Ingredients in Korean Food.

• Makgeolli : around 2,300 KRW for a 750 ml bottle at major convenience stores

• Pre-packaged Stir-fried Kimchi: around 2,100 KRW at convenience stores (ready-to-eat package)

• Soft Tofu : around 1,300 KRW for a soft tofu pack at convenience stores

 

• Instant Oden Cup : around 3,900 KRW for an instant oden cup soup

In Korea, anju refers to food eaten with alcohol. Convenience stores make it easy to recreate this experience without going to a bar.

Makgeolli is traditionally served in shallow brass or aluminum bowls. While I used a wine glass for aesthetics, locals typically drink it casually at home or in small neighborhood restaurants.

This kind of simple set shows how easy it is to build a meat-free or pescetarian-friendly meal in Korea without cooking.

For more budget-friendly food ideas, explore my full Convenience Store Guide or browse my Meat-Free in Korea Guide for a broader overview.