Starlight Cheongha Review: Testing Lotte Sparkling Rice Wine

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Late Night at GS25: Finding Something Better Than Regular Soju

I was standing in front of the glowing drink fridge at my neighborhood GS25 in Mapo-gu around 11 PM, originally looking for a bottle of sparkling mineral water. Next to the endless wall of green diluted soju bottles sat a bottle with a pale blue, starry glass design that caught my eye. It was Starlight Cheongha Sparkling, sitting right beside the iconically minimalist clear bottle of standard Lotte Cheongha.

If you have spent any time hanging out in Seoul pochas (street tents) or watching Korean dramas, you probably think Korean drinking culture is 100 percent green-bottle spirit shots. But for those of us living here who want to enjoy a midnight drink with fried chicken or raw fish without feeling like we swallowed hand sanitizer, Cheongha has always been the low-key hero. When Lotte launched the sparkling Starlight version a couple of years back, it went viral across Korean social media instantly. After picking up both bottles for a side-by-side comparison, here is my honest Starlight Cheongha review along with a deep dive into the classic original.

Understanding Cheongha: Cheongju vs. Standard Soju

Before jumping into the taste, it helps to understand what Cheongha actually is. Standard green-bottle soju (like Chamisul or Jinro Is Back) is made by distilling starches like tapioca or sweet potatoes to high proof, diluting it with water, and adding sweetener. It is cheap, effective, and sharp on the throat.

Cheongha is completely different. It is a traditional-style refined rice wine known as cheongju. Lotte ferments rice at low temperatures (around 12 to 15 degrees Celsius) for nearly a month, filtering out the dregs to leave a pale, crystal-clear liquid. The process is remarkably similar to Japanese sake production. The result is a much smoother drink with subtle sweetness, a gentle grain aroma, and significantly less harsh alcohol burn.

Classic Lotte Cheongha Tasting Review

The original Lotte Cheongha has been a staple in Korean convenience stores and seafood restaurants since 1986. It comes in a clear glass 300ml bottle and sits at 13% ABV.

Appearance and Smell

Poured into a small clear glass, standard Cheongha looks like pristine water with the faintest golden tinge if you hold it up to sunlight. The aroma is clean and lightly fruity, with faint notes of polished rice, yeast, and green apple. There is no aggressive medicinal fumes hitting your nostrils when you bring the glass close.

Flavor Profile and Mouthfeel

On the palette, Cheongha is light-bodied, soft, and crisp. The sweet rice flavor hits first, followed by a light floral undertone and a tiny bit of acidity that cleanses the tongue. It drinks much faster than green-bottle soju. If green-bottle soju is a harsh slap, classic Cheongha is a gentle breeze. It leaves almost no linger on the back of your throat, making it dangerously easy to sip.

How Koreans Drink Classic Cheongha

In Seoul, you almost never order Cheongha at a greasy barbecue place. Instead, you see it everywhere at raw fish places (hoe-집) and seafood markets like Noryangjin. The clean, un-carbonated rice profile cuts through fishiness without overpowering delicate flavors like flounder, salmon, or steamed clams.

Starlight Cheongha Review: The Sparkling Twist

Lotte Chilsung Beverage released Starlight Cheongha (known in Korean as Byeolbit Cheongha) to capture younger drinkers who wanted something lighter, lower in alcohol, and more festive. They took the traditional cheongju base and blended it with white wine made from Chardonnay grapes, then carbonated the mixture. It drops the alcohol level down from 13% to a mild 7% ABV.

Appearance and Smell

Starlight Cheongha pours with a quick, fizzy head of bubbles that dissolves rapidly, much like a prosecco or a dry cider. It looks crystal clear with tiny bubbles steadily rising from the bottom of the glass. The nose is entirely different from the original: you immediately get sweet white grape, white peach, and a light citrus note. It smells far more like an Italian spritz than a Korean rice wine.

Flavor Profile and Texture

The first sip is surprisingly vibrant. The light carbonation gives it a crisp mouthfeel that makes the drink feel refreshing right away. Taste-wise, the white wine notes dominate the front end with sweet white grape, green apple, and melon. As the carbonation settles, the soft, rounded rice base of the original Cheongha glides in on the finish, keeping it from feeling like cheap soda.

Is it sweet? Yes, but it is balanced by the natural fruit acidity of the wine blend. Compared to standard fruit-flavored sojus (like grapefruit or green apple Jinro), Starlight Cheongha is far less cloying and lacks that artificial, lingering chemical aftertaste. It is light, fruity, and immensely drinkable.

How Koreans Actually Eat and Drink It

Starlight Cheongha has carved out a unique space in Korean nightlife. It is extremely popular at home parties, outdoor picnics along the Han River, and casual night out gatherings. Because of its light carbonation and wine blend, Koreans pair it with:

• Korean Fried Chicken: The bubbles cut through oil just like beer does, but with a fruitier edge.
• Tteokbokki: The light sweetness cuts right through spicy red pepper paste (gochujang).
• Cream Pastas & Cheese: The white wine base pairs surprisingly well with rich, dairy-heavy foods.
• Convenience Store Snacks: Honey butter chips, dried squid, or spicy grilled chicken skewers.

Comparing Classic vs. Starlight Cheongha

To help you decide which bottle to pick up on your next trip to a Korean grocery store or convenience store, here is how the two line up side-by-side:

Feature	Classic Cheongha	Starlight Cheongha
Alcohol Content	13% ABV	7% ABV
Flavor Base	100% Refined Rice Wine	Rice Wine + White Wine
Mouthfeel	Smooth, still, silky	Crisp, light, sparkling
Price (KRW)	~2,500 – 3,000 Won	~2,000 – 2,500 Won
Best Food Pairing	Sashimi, steamed seafood	Fried chicken, spicy snacks

Note that prices vary slightly depending on whether you buy individual bottles at convenience stores like CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven, or buy multi-packs at large supermarkets like Emart, Homeplus, or Lotte Mart.

How to Get It Abroad

If you are outside South Korea and want to try either classic or sparkling Cheongha, you have a few reliable options. Keep in mind that alcohol importing laws vary significantly by country and state.

• H Mart: Most large H Mart locations in North America carry classic Cheongha in their alcohol aisle. Starlight Cheongha has been rolling out steadily across major city branches.
• Local Asian Supermarkets: Major East Asian grocers such as 99 Ranch Market, Zion Market, or regional Korean markets often carry Lotte beverages. Look near the sake and soju section.
• Online Liquor Retailers: Specialized Asian liquor delivery services or state-approved online alcohol shops occasionally stock Cheongha. Availability changes frequently due to import batches.

Verdict: Is Starlight Cheongha Worth Buying?

If you are looking for a smooth, refreshing drink that skips the heavy burn of standard soju, both options are stellar choices. However, Starlight Cheongha is easily one of the best mass-market low-ABV innovations to come out of Korea in recent years. It hits the perfect middle ground between rice wine craft, fruit wine sweetness, and crisp carbonation.

If you love dry drinks or raw seafood nights, stick with the classic bottle. But if you want a fun, low-proof, sparkling drink for movie night or a casual dinner, Starlight Cheongha is an absolute home run.

Final Scores:

• Classic Lotte Cheongha: 8.5 / 10
• Starlight Cheongha Sparkling: 9.2 / 10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Starlight Cheongha stronger than regular soju?

No, Starlight Cheongha is significantly weaker than regular soju. Standard green-bottle soju ranges from 16% to 17% ABV, while Starlight Cheongha is only 7% ABV. It has less than half the alcohol content of regular soju.

What does Starlight Cheongha taste like?

Starlight Cheongha tastes like a cross between a light sparkling white wine (like prosecco or moscato) and smooth Korean rice wine. It features sweet notes of white grape and apple with a soft rice finish and refreshing fizz.

Should you drink Cheongha hot or cold?

Unlike some Japanese sakes that can be served warm, Cheongha—both classic and Starlight—is meant to be served chilled. Keep it in the refrigerator for a few hours before drinking, or serve it in a glass straight over ice.

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