“Natural wine†has become a new trend in the restaurant industry these days. As the name suggests, it means a natural wine without adding or subtracting any artificial ingredients. Typical French wines manage the location, name, and manufacturing method of wine-growing sites through the AOC (Apparel d'Origine Contrôlée) system. According to the AOC system, SO2 (sulfur dioxide) must be added according to regulations, but natural wine is a wine that breaks stereotypes without following this method. Turbidity or floating matter may occur without going through the filtering process, and carbonic acid may be felt because carbonic acid generated during fermentation is not removed. However, wine made without adding any chemical additives to fresh grapes grown organically can experience a refreshing taste that has never been experienced before. Thanks to its unburdened body and pleasant acidity, it goes well with all foods. Western food is great for pairing with a variety of foods, such as basic spicy foods and Korean food.
Labels with colorful colors and unique pictures are another appeal of natural wine. The label, which is so sensuous that you can immediately understand the characteristics of the wine the moment you see it, makes the most sense of anticipation just by looking at it. Thanks to its colorful visuals and diverse flavors, it is popular not only among wine lovers but also on social media, and restaurants specializing in natural wines are popping up one after another. Here are 5 of the best emerging natural wine bars that resemble pure nature without adding anything or subtracting anything.
Seoul's natural wine bars and restaurants include Hannam-dong Mutang, Hannam-dong Orzo After 8, Hannam-dong Omanjia, Hannam-dong Komad, Hannam-dong Big Lights, Hannam-dong Butto, Seongsu-dong TBD, Seongsu-dong Boyer, Bangbae-dong Mirror, Geumho-dong Geumnam-bang, Namsan Hoehyeon Station Ba Picnic, Euljiro Jewel, Euljiro Jeong, Euljiro Jeong, Euljiro Jeong, Euljiro Geumnam, PDR San Nm, Dosan Park of Note Seoul, Seongsu Lost Natural, Gyeongridan-gil Natural High, Seongsu 3 of Earth, Seongsu Chichara, Seongsu Seongsu Seoullian, Seongsu Domics, Seongsu Convivial, Kumho Soul Boy, Kumho Cotton Coffee Shop, Kumho Aroma, Kumho JADE&Water, Jayang-dong Acre, Jayang-dong Whale Bar, Garosu-gil Wicewipe, Hongdae Sangsu Indeok Store, Yeonnam-dong Gentle Kitchen, Noksa Kitchen Famous places include Pyeong Slok, Yeonhui-dong Wise Orange, Seongsu Gokseong, Yongsan Samgakji Pub, Jayang-dong Wicknick, and Jayang-dong Noyu.
1. Modern European cuisine unraveled creatively, Euljiro 'Autrek'
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Image source: gourmande86's Instagram
Image source: lyynncrown's Instagram
Unlike the shabby exterior of the building, the luxurious interior of “Autrek†has a reverse charm. Two chefs, Cho Yeong-dong and Kim Jong-geun, who have worked in Michelin restaurants in various countries such as Australia, Denmark, and France, present original European cuisine. The signature menu is the “Potato Rosti 2 slices†with an eye-catching flower shape made from beet and truffle emulsion on a yellow roast. I recommend eating rösti in one bite without cutting it, which stands out for its crispy outside and soft inside. The rich flavor of the truffle is enhanced by the corn custard and sour cream in the middle of the potato rösti.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 3rd Floor, 43, Toegye-ro 41-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
▲Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday 18:00 — 00:00; Friday 18:00 — 01:00; Saturday 17:00 — 00:00; closed on Sunday and Monday
â–²Price: 2 pieces of potato rusti 6,500 won, sea bream carpaccio 15,000 won
▲Testimonial (Amoebamoeba): You have to take a certified shot of potato roast as soon as it comes out! The colors of the red beet and yellow potato rösti go well together, and the truffle flavor is strong, making the taste buds happy before the meal. There are a variety of appetizers, main dishes, desserts, etc., so it's a great place to eat in one place without moving from place to place. The menu changes regularly, so be sure to check before you visit!
2. A variety of flavors that fill your mouth, 'Dipin' in Sindang-dong
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Image source: kooomna's Instagram
Image source: _loveandcreation's Instagram
“Dipin†was newly established near Exit 12 of Sindang Station in June of this year. Starting with small plates that are easy to enjoy, we have prepared natural wines such as pasta, steak, etc., and a variety of foods that are easy to enjoy. The signature menu, “Marinated Burrata Cheese,†is topped with pickled tomatoes topped with burrata cheese smoked from apple trees, and served with green onion cream, olive oil, and long torn string cheese. Burrata cheese, which exudes a smoky flavor, combines the acidity of tomatoes and the aroma of green onions, and you can experience a rich flavor. There is also an event where you enter the requested song on the typewriter on one side of the store and the music will be played one after the other.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 411 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
▲Opening hours: 18:00 — 02:00 every day, closed on Mondays
â–²Price: Chicken Burrata Cheese 15,000 won, Chicken 28,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Shikigin SS Double SS): It's been a while since it opened, and there are always lots of people every time I go. I thought burrata cheese was just grilled, but it's even more delicious because it contains a variety of ingredients such as sauce, oil, and fruit! It's a different combination I tried for the first time, but when I wrapped the cheese in tomato and dipped it thoroughly in the sauce, it didn't taste good, so it didn't bite. hehe
3. Seongsu “Chicharo,†a tapas imbued with the chef's meticulous sense
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Image source: nuance_of_cuisine's Instagram
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“Chicharo†reinterprets tapas and pintxos, which are known as representative foods of Spain, with the chef's sense, and recommends natural wines that go well with each food. The interior of the store, which is comfortably decorated with the desire to spend time in a comfortable space like home, has a warm feeling. The signature menu is “Galician-style boiled octopus and french fries,†which combines soft-boiled octopus legs, fried potatoes, shishito pepper fritters, and curry mayonnaise in one plate. Fresh olive oil and spicy paprika powder blended with octopus, which has a tangy yet soft texture, enhance the flavor and at the same time enhance the umami to the fullest.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 807 Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
â–²Opening hours: 18:00 to 00:00 on weekdays, 17:00 to 00:00 on Saturdays, 17:00 to 22:00 on Sundays, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
â–²Price: Galician-style boiled octopus and french fries 19,000 won, French fries topped with white anchovies and chorizo mayo 13,000 won
â–²Testimonial (I only ate this): It was my first time eating natural wine, so I got a recommendation from the chef and ate it, and it really went well with the food. I ate a dish that came with octopus and french fries, and I was surprised that octopus could be so chewy. Also, the menu with potatoes topped with anchovies is salty, so it's perfect as a wine snack. hehe
4. Seongsu “Lost in Natural,†where various charms come together
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Image source: boonguhya's Instagram
Image source: Luvshuai's Instagram
“Lost Natural†is a complex cultural space where a vinyl shop, a clothing goods selection shop, and an LP bar are gathered in one place, including a natural wine bar. The store is divided into 1 floor where you can drink wine in glasses from noon, and 2 floors where you can enjoy bottled wine and food together in the evening. You can find more than 150 kinds of natural wine and food flavored with seasonal ingredients such as sumi potatoes and chodang corn. The signature menu is “duck breast, orijou, quinoa, and songhua mushroom†with quinoa sauce and grilled matsutake mushrooms on duck meat that uses a dry aging technique to remove the greasy side and make use of the rich meat flavor. The tender, crunchy quinoa adds fun to chewing on the duck breast.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 2F, 32, Yeonmujang 5ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 18:00 — 00:00; Friday and Saturday 18:00 — 01:00; closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
â–²Price: duck breast, oriju, quinoa, pine mushroom 28,000 won, baked potato, avocado, gremolata, aioli 15,000 won
â–²Testimonial (I can't eat anything that doesn't taste good): The menu is named with the ingredients included, so you can see at once what they are made of. The entire store is beautifully decorated, so it's great for taking pictures, and the refrigerator itself, which is full of wine, is also very beautiful. I ate duck meat recommended by a friend, but I didn't feel the meat, and it was a light combination of natural wine and honey.
5. Kumho “JADE&WATER†has a different charm day and night
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Image source: daisy_h_h's Instagram
Image source: daisy_h_h's Instagram
“JAED & WATER†is a space newly led by Chef Hyun Sang-wook, who made his name known for his Hannam-dong Asian cuisine 'DOTZ' and Hong Kong-style pocha 'Hannam Sogwan'. At lunch, it is a brunch cafe where you can eat sandwiches, soup, and salad, and in the evening, it has a snack menu with an Asian touch and a wine bar where you can enjoy natural wine. The signature menu is “mackerel white mushroom onion cream,†which is topped with pickled mackerel topped with pickled mackerel, covered with plenty of onion and garlic cream sauce, and accented with chive oil. A rich blend of mackerel with the rich flavor of the sea, crunchy white mushroom, and creamy sauce.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 2F, 29, Hallimmal 3-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
â–²Opening hours: 11:00: – 14:30 (breakfast & brunch), 17:00 — 00:00 (wine bar) every day, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
â–²Price: Mackerel, white mushroom, onion cream, 16,000 won, and shrimp paste also 15,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Shikigin Jekki-chan): It was the first time I tried a food that wasn't fully cooked mackerel, but I hardly felt the fishy flavor. Also, the onion cream sauce was so delicious that I wanted to scoop it up with a spoon and eat it. LOL, the shrimp sandwich that is deep-fried and mixed with chili sauce between the bread is also honey-flavored, so be sure to try these two dishes!
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