South Korea has a strong drinking culture. People in Korea enjoy drinking all kinds of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. You will find different varieties of Korean beverages and drinking culture here is characterized by more social drinking than sitting alone at home. If you want to know various types of beverages in Korea, here are 5 Korean beverages you must try.
Table of Contents
1. Soju – Korean beverages
Soju is a clear and colorless distilled alcoholic beverage of Korea. The alcohol content varies from 16.8% to 53% by volume and is usually consumed neat. It is the most famous Korean beverage and even popular in other countries. That is why it has been listed under top 5 Korean beverages.
Basic Ingredients
Traditional soju is made from a blend of rice and grains. Modern producers replace rice with other starches like potato and sweet potato.
Why do people love this beverage?
People love this beverage because it has a sweet taste as compared to other vodkas. The main purpose of this beverage is to chill with your friends and family. It comes in different kinds and tastes, with many fruity flavours.
Where to buy this beverage?
You will find Soju everywhere from all the convenient stores, shops and restaurants in Korea at cheap price. People who are living in other countries can buy Soju online at https://www.nanuko.de/SOJU/en. It is also available on amazon website.
Food to eat with Soju
Samgyupsal, Instant ramen and seafoods are best paired with Soju. You can also try fried chicken with pickled radishes while having Soju.
How casual/formal is this beverage?
You can have soju with family and friends as well as with your colleagues. But there are some etiquettes you should know while having alcohol. Seniors should do the honor of pouring the first glass and afterwards the youngest person in the group should refill the empty glasses. One should pour this beverage with two hands, one hand to hold the bottle and place the other on their elbow. When receiving the beverage, hold the glass with both hands. Younger one should turn away and cover their mouth when drinking.
Are there any health benefits?
Though soju is an alcoholic beverage, but it has many health benefits. It treats earwax building, hearing loss and dizziness. Also treats cold, dampness and relieves vomiting.
2. Omija Tea – Korean beverages
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Omija tea or magnolia berry is a traditional Korean tea. The word ‘omija’ means ‘five flavors’- which are sweetness, sourness, saltiness, bitterness and pungency. It is one of the most popular drinks in Korea and that is why it has been listed under 5 Korean beverages.
What are the ingredients?
This magnolia berry tea is made from dried magnolia berries. It is made by boiling dried magnolia berries in water on low heat and then adding honey or sugar. Peel the Asian pear and carve the pear flesh into flower shape and add them in the tea.
Why do people love this beverage?
This tea is highly recommended for tea lovers. People love this drink because of its five flavors and if you bite the seeds you’ll taste the bitterness and spiciness.
Where to buy this beverage?
Omija tea can be bought online on amazon. Ssangkye Tea Company sells Omija Tea packets on amazon.
What food to eat with this beverage?
Yugwa is a sweet tea snack with crispy exterior and chewy interior. It is the best snack to compliment it with Omija tea.
How casual/formal is this beverage?
Omija tea is also a medicinal drink that you can have whenever you feel is the right time, especially with your family members.
Are there any health benefits?
Omija Tea helps in removing harsh toxins and maintains the state of your liver. It also fights stress and boosts immunity. Omija contains Vitamin B that helps in the smooth functioning of the body.
3. Dalgona Coffee – Korean beverages
Dalgona coffee is a whipped, frothy iced coffee drink. It became popular on social media during Covid-19 pandemic especially during lockdown, when people started making whipped coffee at home by hand and without electrical mixers. It is one of the most popular Korean beverages and also has become popular in other countries too. It has been listed under top 5 Korean beverages.
What are the ingredients?
It is made with equal proportions of instant coffee, sugar, water and milk. You can either add hot or cold milk, it is totally up to you.
Why do people love this beverage?
People around the world are in love with this coffee because it is easy to make and secondly because of its sweet taste and also the whip has a very smooth texture. It became the most searched coffee worldwide.
Where to buy this beverage?
You don’t have to go anywhere to have this coffee. It is very easy to make it at home with just 4 simple ingredients – instant coffee, sugar, water and milk.
What food to eat with this beverage?
Well not food, but I would say snacks that can be eaten with Dalgona coffee. Chocolate covered nut bars and breakfast cookies are healthy snacks that are paired best with Dalgona coffee.
How casual/formal is this beverage?
It became popular during pandemic and especially during lockdown, so this drink is completely casual. Have it with friends and family and enjoy the smooth texture of the drink.
Are there any health benefits?
Dalgona coffee can improve your energy levels. It will make you feel less tired and also contains antioxidants and nutrients that will benefit your health.
4. Makgeolli – Korean beverages
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Makgeolli is a traditional Korean alcoholic beverage made of rice. This rice wine has a slight viscosity that tastes sweet, tangy, bitter and astringent. It contains 6 to 9 percent of alcohol by volume. It is the oldest alcohol beverage in Korea, brewing since three Kingdoms era. That is why it comes in the list of top 5 Korean beverages.
What are the ingredients?
Makgeolli is made from rice using nuruk, a fermentation starter. Sugar, honey or corn syrup, anything can be added depends on how much sweet you want to make.
Why do people love this beverage?
Makgeolli has different types of tastes, you will have a unique taste journey when having this rice wine and because of its unique and complex taste, it is loved by the people of South Korea.
Where to buy this beverage?
You will find this rice wine in all the wine shops in Korea. It can also bought in any convenience store in Korea and you will find it in every Korean restaurant.
You can also buy this wine online, websites like Nanuko, Geonbae and Leiser’s sell different types of Makgeolli.
What food to eat with this beverage?
Crispy beef with chilli garlic sauce and Korean pancakes can be eaten with Makgeolli and it will compliment best with this drink.
How casual/formal is this beverage?
Makgeolli needs to be served in small rounded cups. It be served as a everyday drink but it is mostly consumed on special occasions like weddings. Give it a shake first, then leave it for a minute and then open it.
Are there any health benefits?
Makgeolli contains 80% of water and 6-9% of alcohol, it is very nutritious and contains high levels of lactic acid lactobacillus bacteria, same level found in yoghurt. Makgeolli also contains dietary fibers that aids digestion and improves immune system.
5. Banana Flavored Milk – Korean beverages
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Binggrae company introduced the banana flavoured milk to Koreans in 1974. It was introduced to encourage the people to drink more milk. Banana milk has become a must-have drink in Korea thanks to its popularity in Korean dramas. It is one of the most popular drinks in Korea and have been listed under 5 Korean beverages.
What are the ingredients?
It contains 85% milk, purified water, sugar, 0.32% banana juice concentrate.
Why do people love this beverage?
Korean banana milk is popular among all the ages. Its sweet banana and milky taste makes the people love this drink.
Where to buy this beverage?
It can be purchased at any Korean grocers and H-mart.
What food to eat with this beverage?
You don’t need any food to eat with Banana milk.
How casual/formal is this beverage?
You can have this drink any day at any time. If you are out alone or hanging out with friends you can just randomly go to stores and buy the product and have it anywhere.
Are there any health benefits?
The homemade banana milk is obviously healthy and very delicious as its made of milk and a peeled banana. The company one is light, but not too sweet. It contains more than 80 percent of natural ingredients and is not processed much.
Why should you try these Korean beverages?
These are top 5 Korean beverages that you must try. You will find varieties of drinks from alcoholic to non-alcoholic ones. The best thing is, many of these drinks can be made easily at home. These Korean beverages can be enjoyed more when you are with your family and friends.
If you want to know about Korean dishes that have been featured in Korean dramas, check here 5-well-loved-korean-dishes-featured-in-k-dramas to find out.