This was a fun book to cook through because it not only had recipes, it contained a lot about Korean culture and social rituals. We loved everything we made. It was also my first time really getting into soju and I had a lot of fun trying so many different types! Here is what we made:

Soju Caipirinha: this combo works really well. I loved how fresh and zingy the lime was. Could drink 100 of these (probably shouldn’t but could)

Dubu Kimchi Tofu with Stir Fried Kimchi and Pork: this was hands down my favorite dish. The texture of the pork belly was addictive (though watch for oil splashes while cooking it!)

Bossam Boiled Pork Wrap with Garlic Chive Sauce: felt both savory and filling while also being healthy. That sauce has great umami. We also transformed the leftover broth into a noodle base because we liked it so much

Haejang Guk Hangover Soup: so much great texture and heat. 10/10 perfect soup. We will make this many times again (and not just hungover)

Spam Jeon/Spam Misubi: these were delicious but heavy compared to other preparations I’ve had. I think it was the addition of the cheese and the frying batter. Very tasty though, if annoying to assemble

Chimaek Chicken: we were skeptical about the potato starch but these were insanely crispy. That sauce was also to die for

Kimchi Carbonara: the favor was good and the addition of the kimchi was a fun take, but the ramen couldn’t hold up to the sauce and got mushy

Jujube Ginseng Negroni: I screwed this up slightly by forgetting to buy ginseng tea so we had to make do with green tea with ginseng. Still a refreshing drink though, even though I thought the rice was unnecessary

Thanks to Knopf and Netgalley for the ARC. Soju Party is out 9/9!

I'm not a huge drinker, but I can't resist a cookbook that goes history! I am also going to Seoul soon, so I had to take a look. Visually stunning, very informative, and lots of fun!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Soju Party.

I'm not a drinker but I was curious about the book. I do love how the author dedicates her book to non-drinkers too.

I read this to learn more about the history of Korean drinking, its rituals and how Korean culture influences how we drink and in what company we keep.

I thought including illustrations explaining proper serving of drinks and etiquette was helpful and a fun way to show readers how its done.

The bar snacks, hangover dishes and meals to eat after all the bar hopping were all delicious and recipes I'd make just for everyday eating.

The drinking games are a nice touch and relatable no matter your culture since there are drinking games in the US, too.

This book is definitely geared toward people who love to drink and/or host parties.

Every Country has its own traditions, but who knew that Korea has traditional drinking parties, where there are special activities and steps to a successful event. Many readers have heard of Soju, a popular alcoholic drink served there, as well as other drinks served often in Korea. For anyone interested in learning about how to plan and participate in a soju party, Soju Party: How to Drink (and Eat!) Like a Korean: A Cookbook, is a book to pick up. This book is very unique, in that American traditions don’t generally include formal rules for drinking parties and what the Koreans call a “night of drinking.” Apparently, a night of drinking includes a night of eating, and the book not only includes chapter after chapter of information on different Korean spirits, but also traditional dishes served while attending a soju party.

While the recipes for both the drinks and party dishes, are easy to follow and presented in the traditional manner with ingredients listed first, followed by step-by-step instructions, some of the dishes are so foreign, that they may not appeal to those who aren’t familiar with Korean ingredients. The drink recipes are definitely more appealing to cocktail lovers.

All told, this is a cookbook for lovers of all kinds of alcohol, and those familiar with Korean food.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Equal parts a history, a cultural guide, and pure fun. This book not only includes an informative guide to the world of Soju, but also the culture around the drink itself. Like everything need to know including the history and process of making Soju. Certain cultural norms like how and who to pour for on your night out. Even a break down of the games and traditions. Additionally, this book is filled with delicious cocktails and perfectly paired snacks! Not to mention, Yoo provides a very fun and well planned itinerary. Overall, an informative and enjoyable read!

I loved this book. A guide to drinking Korean style that goes over drinking manners, drink combinations, the history of Korean alcohol, and, most importantly, drinking snacks. Try the Hameul Pajeon with some makgeoli, or the anchovy peanuts with a soju cocktail. Measurements are in Imperial, mostly, though grams make an appearance when needed. Some of the ingredients may be tough to source if you live outside of an area with a H Mart or other Asian grocery store, but it's all well worth trying out. Gather some friends and get ready to enjoy!

Great combination of Korean cocktails and food to go with your drinking at all stages. Just a well photographed fun cookbook, highly recommended.

This is SUCH a fun cookbook! I loved the balance of information and fun, food and drink. I'd known a tiny bit about Korean drinking culture, but this book was a fun way to learn more. I really enjoyed the fact that the author's voice shone throughout the book, not just in introductory or narrative sections. The book definitely trends more towards drinks recipes (not at ALL just for soju!), and the collective whole gives a nice mix of recipes that can be made without access to a Korean grocery, as well as those that require a Korean grocery. The recipes are clearly written and visually approachable -- and dang if the photography doesn't make you feel like you're sitting at a table with friends!

Perfect for all of those people who've been noticing bottles of soju hitting the shelves of their local liquor stores, Soju Party teaches you all of the basics of how to drink it and then expands to mixed drinks and the perfect foods to serve with it. Great for people who like to entertain!
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.