About the product
A smooth and versatile soju, Chum Churum Original Soju offers a crisp and clean flavor profile that pairs well with various dishes or stands alone as a refreshing drink. Its light and subtly sweet character make it a popular choice for sipping neat or mixing into cocktails, embodying the essence of traditional Korean spirits.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairings
Taste & Sensory Profile
- Nose: Clean and neutral with very subtle hints of grain sweetness and a faint, milky (lacteous) aroma.
- Palate: Exceptionally smooth and light-bodied. It has a subtle sweetness that masks the alcohol, accompanied by faint notes of anise and pear.
- Finish: Short and incredibly clean. Thanks to the alkaline water, it lacks the sharp "medicinal" burn often found in budget spirits, leaving a slightly sweet, refreshing aftertaste.
Food Pairings (Anju)
In Korean culture, soju is almost always consumed with food, known as anju. Its clean profile makes it an ultimate palate cleanser:
- Savory: Samgyeopsal (Grilled Pork Belly). The crispness of the soju cuts through the rich fat of the pork perfectly.
- Spicy: Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes) or Kimchi Jjigae (Stew). The subtle sweetness and cold temperature help tame the heat of gochujang-based dishes.
- Fried: Korean Fried Chicken (KFC). A classic pairing where the spirit's clean finish refreshes the palate between oily, crunchy bites.
- Seafood: Sashimi or Grilled Eel. Its neutrality allows the delicate flavors of raw fish or the rich umami of eel to shine without being overshadowed.
- The "Somaek" Serve: A very popular way to drink this is as a Somaek—a cocktail made by mixing a shot of Chum Churum into a glass of light Korean lager (like Cass or Terra).
About the brand
Owned by Lotte Chilsung Beverage, "Chum Churum" translates to "Like the First Time." The brand's claim to fame is its use of alkaline water (which makes up 80% of the product). The smaller mineral clusters in alkaline water are said to give the spirit a softer mouthfeel and a cleaner finish compared to traditional brands.
