Category · K-Food
When you look at a typical drinking scene in Korea, you might notice something a bit unusual.
People mix soju and beer together in one glass.
This is called somaek .
What kind of combination is it?
Somaek is a mix of soju and beer.
The name itself is simple. It comes from combining the words “soju” and “maekju” (beer in Korean).
Why do people mix them?...
In Korea, there’s another drink that feels quite different from soju. It’s called makgeolli. (막걸리)
At first glance, it might not even look like alcohol. It can look more like milk or yogurt.
What kind of drink is it?
Makgeolli is a fermented rice drink. It has a cloudy appearance and sometimes a slight natural fizz....
When you go out for drinks in Korea, there’s one thing you’ll almost always see. It’s soju .
What’s interesting is that this isn’t just a popular drink in Korea. It’s part of one of the best-selling distilled spirits brands in the world .
But in Korea, it’s not treated as anything special. It’s just the “default” drink.
What kind of drink is it?
Soju is a clear distilled liquor. It usually has an alcohol content of around 16–20%.
It used to be stronger in the past, but the alcohol level has gradually gone down.
This make...
In Korea, people typically use both a spoon and chopsticks during meals.
Tableware in Korea
A typical Korean meal includes both tools.
• Spoon: for rice and soup...
In Korea, many people drink iced Americano even during winter.
What Is “Eoljuka (얼죽아)”?
“Eoljuka” is short for a phrase that means “iced Americano no matter what.”
It refers to people who choose iced coffee regardless of the weather....
In Korea, it is common to cook meat yourself at BBQ restaurants.
How Does It Work?
Meat is cooked directly on a grill at the table.
• You cook the meat yourself...
In Korea, it is common to wrap food in vegetables before eating.
What Is Ssam?
Ssam is a way of eating where meat, rice, and side dishes are wrapped together in leafy vegetables.
• Lettuce...
Korean meals usually come with a variety of side dishes.
What Is Banchan?
Banchan refers to small dishes served alongside rice.
• Kimchi...
