Soju: Korean Favourite Alcohol

If you have watched a drama or movie from Korea, you must have seen the actresses or actors in the scene of drinking or being drunk. As you all know Korean people love to drink, especially after work. Drink here means alcohol drink and one of the famous alcohol drinks in South Korea is Soju (소주). Soju can be made from different ingredients; rice, sweet potato, wheat, barley potato or tapioca; and the level of alcohol is vary from 20%-45%.


The interesting part is how you drink Soju. Soju usually comes with a small little glass, it is called a shot glass and you are not allowed to pour your own drink or fill it once it is empty. When the senior or older people pour you a drink, you have to hold the glass with both hands and slightly bow to show respect whereas if you pour a drink to your senior or elders, you have to hold the bottle with your right hand and your left hand touch your right forearm or elbow, this movement originally derived from practice in the past when everyone wearing Hanbok. The other important thing is, if you are not close enough with the elderly when you drink Soju, you are expected to face away when you drink it.

Unlike wine in western culture, Soju is better off to be drank in one gulp rather than sip by sip, because you will not taste the bitterness of the alcohol. Having said that, it is very important you do not drink too much, especially if you are a first timer with alcohol, because the effect of Soju will come after a while. If it does not sound exciting for you, you can mix with other drinks to create a Cocktail Soju or you can try fruity flavours Soju such as; Apple Soju and Watermelon Soju.

I found an interesting video to demonstrate how to drink Soju, CHECK OUT THE VIDEO HERE