A Wired BEST COOKBOOK OF 2025

Drinking is an essential part of Korean culture, one that's guided by a complex web of unspoken rules, deep tradition, and lots and lots of food. With Soju Party, food writer, chef, and co-owner of Brooklyn’s Orion Bar Irene Yoo has written the book on drinking like a Korean.\

She introduces the classic Korean alcohols and how Koreans typically like to drink them, sharing recipes for cocktails and tasty anju (drinking foods), including:

• The viral Milkis Shot

• A heart-stopping Seoul Train

• Unique cocktail recipes featuring Korean-inspired riffs and nostalgic twists, like a Jujube Ginseng Negroni and a Banana Milk makgeolli

• Simple snacks like salty and sweet Honey-Butter Bar Nuts

• Essential comfort food like a savory White Ddukbokki and a super slurpable Kimchi Carbonara

• A dedicated party section featuring a large-format Watermelon Soju Hwachae and sweet-and-spicy Chimaek Chicken

In addition to recipes, Soju Party explores the history of Korean drinking, with illustrations explaining proper serving and drinking etiquette, drinking games, food pairings, and more. A book that promises late nights (don’t worry, there’s a section on hangovers!), this is a party on the page. Geonbae!