Asian Ingredients Star in Some of Houston’s Best Cocktails (Houstonia Mag)

Hongdae 33’s K-Shawty

Yakult may have started its road to probiotic dominance in Japan in 1935, but today the 2.7-ounce drinkable yogurt is enjoyed in Asian communities all over the world for its ability to aid digestion—and can be found on the shelves of H-E-B. It’s also since become a staple at Korean barbecue restaurants, where diners enjoy the child-size bottle at meal’s end.

At Hongdae 33, Yakult plays a starring role in the K-Shawty cocktail, along with Original Soju, strawberry liqueur, and the popular South Korean soda Milkis. Owner Grace Xia is mindful of how cocktails play into the Korean barbecue dining experience, which is usually a special occasion celebrated in groups.

It’s why Xia wanted to create the pink drink as a fun and photogenic option often favored by women having a good time out (thus the “shawty” reference). But she notes that, first and foremost, it’s a drink made to pair with the food. When a meal is heavy on meat, it’s nice to have “something refreshing for the stomach,” she says.

Original Article: https://www.houstoniamag.com/eat-and-drink/2023/11/asian-cocktails-houston