Korean Food

Food & Wine Pairings

Korean Food and Wine Pairing Classics with wines from Western Greece

A thing that we Greeks have in common with Korean people is that whether we are in a restaurant or, even better, at home, eating family style and sharing the food with our friends and guests is one of our loveliest habits. Our tables are always full of diverse and strong flavors and many different small plates (“mezedes” in Greek).Wine is part of the festivity. It’s like almost Kimchi and rice that Koreans never separate. In Greece people can’t separate wine from food. There in no great meal without wine and this is the reason why Greek wines evolved as being great partners with a variety of dishes. For a wonderful cuisine, complex and diverse, such as the Korean, someone should enjoy at least some good or great wines alongside the Korean food. A table laid out with a resplendent array of panchan (or mezezes for Greeks) invites the sharing of food as well joy, friendship and love, over some great bottles of wine.

Kim chi

Bulgogi

Fish and shelfish

Bibimbap

Nakji-bokkeum

Hotteok

Kim chi

No matter how many dishes are served throughout a Korean meal, there is a certain Korean dish that is always present and completes all Korean meals, the world-renowned kim chi. A bowl of steamed rice, some meat and a side dish of Kim chi and this is Korean food heaven! Kim chi’s crunchy and sour character, with its intense fermented aromas and strong flavors of garlic, ginger and spiciness is a bit tricky to match with any wine. However the aromatic pungent character of this dish will beautifully combine with a white PDO Patra from Roditis, the mineral, high acid and intense variety of Western Greece that will cleanse your palate after each byte and add a touch of freshness and herbal character, as well as lowering the “fierce character” of kim chi with its moderate alcohol level.

Bulgogi

Probably, there is nothing better on earth than charcoal grilled Bulgogi, a platter of Korean barbequed meats that are thin sliced and marinated in the pungent flavors of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame seeds and sesame oil. The intense flavors of soy sauce, crushed pepper and ginger are combined with the char-grilled, smoky character of the meat and its fat, a dish that usually you grill yourself on the table.The tender and full-flavored meat is then combined with a vast array of umami-flavored panchan and always a bowl of rice. The wines that work better with Korean barbequed meat are fruity and full bodied, but not overly tannic. A dry red wine from the geographical indication PGI Achaia, made from Mavrodaphni grape variety can be dense-fruited and structured, yet soft and with enough body to stand-up well to the robust flavors of the meat.

Fish and shelfish

Saengson hoe, the filleted raw fish is an incredibly fresh and delicate dish that will match an array of delicate varieties of Western Greece. The king of Western Greece, Roditis, from PDO Patra and Sideritis from PGI Achaia with their lovely crisp texture will ideally match this delicate dish. These wines will pick up also the umami, sea-fresh flavors of raw or lightly cooked shellfish such as oysters, scallops, crabs with their natural mineral-salty character.

Bibimbap

this classic bowl of warm white rice topped with sautéed and seasoned vegetables, or kimchi and gochujang, soy sauce and a raw of fried egg on top is a hit for a fresh, juicy rose made from Avgoustiatis grape variety in PGI Ilia or Black of Kalavrita in PGI Achaia.

Nakji-bokkeum

this tasty chopped spicy, first marinated and then stir-fried octopus, with mixed vegetables such as onions, green onions, cabbage, and carrots cries for a crisp, mineral Assyrtiko from the PGI Ilia or PGI Achaia. The signature Greek grape variety with its body, alcohol, acidity and minerality can withstand the intense flavored octopus plate.

Hotteok

stuffed with dark brown sugar, cinnamon powder and some grounded nuts or seeds, this sweet Korean-styled pancake can be served alongside a glass of sweet wine from Muscat and PDO Muscat of Rio Patra or PDO Muscat of Patra. This combination will further warm your hearts during the heavy winter season of South Korea.