What a cheong ade is

Cheong (청) is a traditional Korean fruit preserve, slowly steeped in honey. We make ours in house, and each ade combines the cheong with honey and sparkling water, turning a thick preserve into a fizzy drink. We describe the result as a not-too-sweet sip that cuts the richness of a burger, which is why we suggest one with your meal. All three are listed at $6.50.

Three ades, three directions

Omija Berry Ade (오미자 에이드)

Omija is known as the five-flavor berry, a name that refers to sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent tastes in one fruit. Order it if you like tart berry drinks.

Yuja Citrus Ade (유자 에이드)

Yuja is a Korean citron, a fragrant citrus fruit. If lemonade is your usual drink, start here.

Seoul Maesil Mojito (매실 모히또)

Maesil is green plum. The listing describes maesil cheong, honey and sparkling water. Order it if you like sweet-tart fruit drinks. If you need to confirm whether it contains alcohol, ask our staff.

The Korean milkshakes

Our Classic and Choco Crunch Bar shakes cover familiar ground. Three more take their flavor from Korean desserts and snacks:

  • Corn Milk Shake ($7.50): sweet corn cream over whipped cream. Sweet corn is a familiar dessert flavor in Korea.
  • Red Bean Bingsu Milk Shake ($8.90): named for patbingsu, the Korean shaved-ice dessert topped with sweet red beans. It has sweet red beans, chewy rice cakes and a sprinkle of roasted soybean powder.
  • Gimbugak Milk Shake ($8.50): gimbugak is a crispy fried seaweed snack, paired here with sweet cream. Pick it if you like sweet and savory together, the way salted caramel works.

How to choose

  • With the burger, especially a rich one like the Spicy Galbi-jjim or the Bulsae: an ade.
  • After the burger, or in place of a sweet side: a milkshake.
  • With the Buldak Burger: either one. An ade adds fizz and fruit, and a shake adds sweetness and cream.
  • Avoiding honey: the ades are made with honey, so look at our other drinks and ask staff about ingredients.

For something simpler, the menu also lists Sikhye, a sweet traditional Korean rice punch, and Korea's well-known Banana Milk, each at $3.50. Prices are as listed and can change. The menu may not show the latest changes, so check the current listings on our online pickup store before you order. For a sweet side instead of a sweet drink, see ggultteok in our sides guide.