Although it is South Korea's "
Important Intangible Cultural Property Number 86-1", it originated from North Korea's
Pyongyang. Its origins are traced to the
Goryeo period. The water used to produce Munbaeju comes from the
Taedong River. A royal subject of
Wang Geon presented him with home-brewed munbaeju, which his family had made with a secret recipe for generations. Wang Geon was so impressed with its taste, that he gave the subject a high-ranking position in the government. Ever since this event, Munbaeju was a wine drunk by kings, and is commonly served to important foreign dignitaries during welcoming receptions. ==See also==