What does 안주 (anju) mean?
- 안주anju
Food eaten with drinks
Fine in most situations
안주 (anju) means food that you eat while drinking alcohol. It can be anything from dried squid and nuts to fried chicken or a big stew shared at the table.
Where it comes from
It is an old Sino-Korean word. In everyday Korean it simply means food that goes with alcohol, and 술안주 says the same thing even more clearly.
How to use 안주
In Korea, drinking usually comes with food. Many bars expect each table to order at least one anju dish, and friends often choose a place based on its anju.
Popular anju include fried chicken, 파전 (green onion pancake), 오뎅탕 (fish cake soup), 골뱅이 (spicy sea snails) and simple dried snacks called 마른안주.
The word is neutral and fine to use with anyone, from friends to coworkers.
Examples
Tap a word to see what it means and save it to your flashcards.
Friends at a bar looking at the menu
Recommending a bar to a coworker
Tasting a spicy stew
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 술안주 | Food to go with alcohol | 술 means alcohol. Same meaning, very common. |
| 마른안주 | Dried snacks for drinking | Dried squid, nuts, crackers and similar. |
| 안주발 세우다 | To eat the snacks more than drink | Playful phrase for someone who keeps eating the anju. |
Questions learners ask
Do you have to order anju in Korea?
At many Korean bars and pubs, yes. Each table is usually expected to order at least one food dish along with the drinks.
What is the difference between anju and banchan?
Anju is food eaten with alcohol. 반찬 (banchan) are side dishes eaten with rice at a meal.
What is the most popular anju?
Fried chicken with beer is a favorite, while pork belly, pancakes and spicy stews are common with soju.