Taste of Gangneung

Indulge in the charm of Gangneung

Gangneung Liquor Culture Tour

(Chum Churum & Saero Brand Experience Hall)

The joy of local cuisine is an essential part of any journey. While it’s great to visit top tourist attractions, tasting local food enriches our travel experience. Among the famous local specialties and eateries in Gangneung, a hidden gem worth exploring is the Gangneung liquor tour, featuring spirits made from local ingredients. Just as you taste wine in France or beer in Germany, savoring Gangneung’s liquor will offer you an unexpected and delightful travel experience.

One of Korea’s most iconic drinks is “soju.” Beloved by the entire nation and enjoyed worldwide, soju’s major production hub is in Gangneung. Since its opening in 1926, the distillery in Gangneung has been crafting soju with the pristine spring water from Daegwallyeong, continuing the legacy of Korean soju for nearly a century. Visitors can tour the distillery with a specialized guide.

The experience hall spans three floors of the soju factory. On the first floor, learn about the history of soju, and on the second floor, observe the production process from water collection to bottling. This facility can produce 1,000 bottles per minute, up to a maximum of 2.4 million bottles per day.

The highlight is the 10th-floor lounge, accessible after a media art experience designed like a tour train. Surrounded by rock-shaped tables, chairs, and large screens depicting cave images, you’ll feel like you’re deep in a mountain.

In the lounge, you can taste the pure and clear spring water of Gangneung, two types of soju produced at the Gangneung distillery, and soju-based cocktails. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options are available, paired with appetizers made from Gangneung specialties.

You can also create your own infused soju using ingredients like strawberries, apples, and coffee, choosing flavors to suit your taste. Tours of the experience hall can be booked in advance through the website and take about an hour.
First & New Tower Website (Reservations)
(Chum Churum & Saero Brand Experience Hall)
- Opening Hours 10:00–18:00
- Closed : Mondays, Tuesdays, Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day), and Chuseok
  (Korean Thanksgiving Day)
- Tour Times : 10:00 / 13:00 / 15:00 / 17:00

First & New Tower(Chum Churum & Saero Brand Experience Hall) : 7, Gwansol-gil, Gangneung-si

In recent years, traditional Korean liquor has shed its old-fashioned image to become a trendy beverage. Newly crafted traditional liquors are captivating the tastes of the younger generation and creating a dedicated fan base. “Rice and Shine” is a brewery in Gangneung that uses local ingredients to make traditional liquor. It also serves as a bottle shop selling various traditional liquors from across the country.

In this charming store, you can find a wide range of liquors from small and large breweries nationwide. Visitors can sample house-made traditional liquors and explore the diverse world of Korean traditional drinks, making it an intriguing experience.

Rice and Shine crafts its traditional liquor using Gangneung’s local agricultural products. Unlike standard traditional liquors, they use only purified water, rice, and nuruk (fermentation starter) without any additives. They produce and sell premium makgeolli (unrefined rice wine) and yakju (refined rice wine) with a refined sweetness. Choosing a liquor is enjoyable, as you can learn about the ingredients, brewing process, and stories behind each drink.

As traditional liquor gains popularity, more people are interested in the brewing process and the culture surrounding it. With a reservation, you can participate in a hands-on experience making makgeolli, immersing yourself in Korean liquor culture. Next to the store is a cozy brewery where you can smell the delightful aroma of fermenting liquor.

In Korea, where pairing food with alcohol is a strong cultural tradition, traditional liquor complements Korean cuisine well. You can bring your own food or order delivery to enjoy with your drinks at the store. Experience Korean food culture with traditional liquor made with care from Gangneung’s pure water, rice, and nuruk.
- Operating hours
- Tuesday to Saturday, 13:00–20:00
- Closed : Sundays and Mondays

Rice and Shine : 23-2, Saenaengi-gil, Gangneung-si