‘Pulutan!’ Here’s Where to Get Food That Goes Well With Soju

While many Filipinos prefer the good ol’ beer, an alcoholic beverage that’s getting more popular over the years — thanks to the hallyu wave — is soju. Apart from not giving a harsh alcohol burn, you can drink it as is or mix it with other flavors (like Yakult and Sprite) to discover a new cocktail.

Of course, no drinking session is complete without “pulutan,” or snacks served along with alcohol. If you’re planning to hold one at home with your friends or family, we’ve listed below where you can get food that goes well with the bottles of soju you just bought.

Samgyeopsal

Samgyeopsal (or samgyup as we call it) literally translates to “three-layer flesh,” which refers to the layers of lean meat and fat in pork belly cuts. It’s a classic choice for those who like a straightforward yet delicious and fulfilling meal. Who doesn’t love meat to go along with their drinks, right?

Where to get it:

• Samgy MNL – Offers delivery packages of uncooked meat and side dishes, including a grill. Price starts at P1,499 (good for three to four) plus P1,699 for four hours of equipment use.
• Samgyup sa Bahay – Offers flavored meat sets for as low as P999 (good for two) and free use of grilling equipment. Also offers hot pot, maki, japchae, kimchi rice, and soju for delivery.
• Jin Joo Korean Grill – Offers USDA beef, premium cuts, and pork per 300 and 500 grams. Prices vary depending on the cut, flavor, and seasoning.
• Sibyullee Unlimited Korean BBQ – Offers Pork & Beef KBBQ Party Kits good for two (P1,200), three (P1,730), or four (P2,150). Can be delivered cooked or frozen.

If you want to toss the experience of grilling, many restaurants offer samgyeopsal sets for delivery so you can eat straight away!

Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki is a popular sweet and spicy Korean street food consisting of small, cylindrical-shaped rice cakes and a spicy sauce. If you’re feeling fancy, you can also add fish cakes, cheese, eggs, and other toppings to go with it. The soju’s refreshing taste can help offset the spiciness of this street food.

Where to get it:

Korean groceries. A few known Korean brands such as Ottogi, Yopokki, and Samyang are available on Shopee and Lazada if you don’t mind instant products. For those who are lazy to cook, you can order from shops like Maria’s Tteokbokki and School Tteokbokki.

Korean-Style Fried Chicken

Don’t get us wrong on this one. We love the chicken at Jollibee, KFC, and other fast-food restaurants, but if we’re talking about soju, we believe it goes better with chicken glazed in Korean flavors. Korean-style fried chicken is known to have lower fat content and while its skin isn’t as crispy as others, the variety of flavors — from soy garlic to honey citrus — you can choose from are a dealbreaker.

Where to get it:

Korean restaurants. A few good examples are Bonchon and Kko Kko as they have multiple branches nationwide and are available on GrabFood, FoodPanda, and their respective delivery hotlines. If you want to try plant-based chicken, you can also check out Gang Gang Chicken.

Instant Ramyeon

This is probably something you wouldn’t expect on this list, but trust us, noodles and soju make a great pair! The saltiness of the ramyeon’s soup can serve as a flavorful chaser for soju, so you don't have . What’s more, it won’t drill a hole in your pocket and it’s easy to prepare! If you buy the cup versions, you won’t have to do any dishes either. No fuss, just a simple and fun drinking session.

Where to get it:

Any grocery or convenience store that offers international selections. You can pick this up along with the soju bottles you’re planning to buy. If you want a wider variety of flavors, you can also order online on Shopee or Lazada.