White Center’s New Bar Slings Korean Drinking Food

White Center’s Anju Bar and Eatery, with a focus on Korean drinking food, is open. The bar’s name refers in Korean to “food eaten with alcohol,” and the menu reflects that, with dishes like kimchi poutine, deep-fried kimchi mac and cheese balls, Korean fried chicken, and a handful of beer, wine, and cocktail options.

The bar (9641 15th Ave SW) has limited hours today (from 3 to 9 p.m.) and is closed tomorrow ahead of a grand opening on Friday, August 24. About half of the menu is available today, with the full line-up — and the addition of a patio — coming on Friday. Once things are up and running at full speed, Anju will add happy hour daily from 3 to 6 p.m. with $6 food items and discounts on drinks.

Owner Sam Jo, whose parents are from South Korea, has held various restaurant and bar jobs, including bartender, server, and front-of-house. He most recently worked a corporate job as a project manager before leaving to travel throughout Asia and then start work on Anju.

Jo says the menu below is fairly close to finalized, though he anticipates adding a few more original cocktails to the list. Starting Friday, Anju will assume regular hours, Monday through Wednesday, 2 to 10 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 2 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, noon to midnight; and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.

• Anju Bar and Eatery [Facebook]
• All Coverage of Anju Bar and Eatery [ESEA]
• This New White Center Bar Is Dedicated to Korean Drinking Food [ESEA]