Corduroy Fellaz
Ashley first met JoJo, one of the co-founders of Corduroy Fellaz, at Fura in Singapore. So when we found ourselves in Busan, there was only one place we wanted to visit.
At first glance, Corduroy Fellaz looks like a modern cocktail bar. Spend a little time here, and you realise it is much more than that. Every drink tells a story.
The current menu, aptly named LOCALRiSING, is unlike anything I have come across. Instead of simply using local ingredients, the team partners with some of Korea's most respected cafés, farms, wineries and artisans, turning their signature produce into cocktails while celebrating the people behind them.
The MOMOS cocktail pays tribute to Busan's iconic Momos Coffee, transforming its Es Chocolat coffee beans into a spirit forward drink layered with whisky, tequila and blackcurrant. Solaroot Farm shines a spotlight on a new generation of strawberry farmers, while GGULGGEOK HOUSE honours Korea's traditional brewing culture through modern mixology. Cheongdo Persimmon celebrates a winery producing persimmon wine from the region's famous sweet persimmons, reimagined into an elegant Bamboo-style cocktail.
Then there are the drinks that truly stretch the imagination. From The Soil asks the question, "What does soil taste like?" using roasted grains, bourbon, rice wine and sesame, complete with a black sesame crisp that mimics the texture of earth. Mexican Breakfast captures the flavours of a taco in liquid form with tequila, tomato, Grana Padano and gentle chilli spice. We also enjoyed a refreshing Stiggins' Pineapple Daiquiri, created for Tropical Week in collaboration with Planteray Rum.
The creativity doesn't stop at the cocktails. Throughout the evening we were treated to thoughtful bites including chilled melon, assorted olives and a wonderfully light matcha tiramisu, each complementing the drinks perfectly.
A big thank you to Mountain, the head mixologist, who looked after us all evening. More than just serving drinks, he patiently shared the stories, inspiration and philosophy behind each creation. Those conversations made every cocktail even more meaningful.
What impressed me most wasn't the technical execution, although it was exceptional. It was the genuine respect they have for local producers, artisans and traditions. Every glass honours someone's craft, every ingredient has a purpose, and every cocktail becomes a story worth telling.
Corduroy Fellaz is not just one of the best cocktail bars in Busan. It is one of the most thoughtful and inspiring bar experiences I've had anywhere.
