Drinks in Korean — From Soju to Americano

<h2>Korea: Nation of [Soju](/en/blog/soju-everything-you-need-to-know-about-korea-s-national-drink-history-etiquette) AND Coffee</h2> <p>South Korea is a fascinating country when it comes to drinks. On one hand, it's the country that consumes the most spirits per capita worldwide (thanks to soju). On the other, it has the most cafés per capita. After 12 years in Seoul, my day invariably starts with an 아메리카노 and often ends with a glass of 소주 with colleagues. That's Korean life!</p> <h2>Non-Alcoholic Drinks — 음료수</h2> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>물</td><td>mul</td><td>Water</td></tr> <tr><td>주스</td><td>ju-seu</td><td>Juice</td></tr> <tr><td>우유</td><td>u-yu</td><td>Milk</td></tr> <tr><td>차</td><td>cha</td><td>Tea</td></tr> <tr><td>커피</td><td>keo-pi</td><td>Coffee</td></tr> <tr><td>콜라</td><td>kol-la</td><td>Cola</td></tr> <tr><td>사이다</td><td>sa-i-da</td><td>Lemon-lime soda (like Sprite)</td></tr> <tr><td>식혜</td><td>sik-hye</td><td>Sweet rice punch</td></tr> <tr><td>수정과</td><td>su-jeong-gwa</td><td>Cinnamon and ginger punch</td></tr> </table> <p><strong>Watch out:</strong> In Korea, <strong>사이다</strong> does NOT mean "cider." It's a lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7-Up. This is one of the most common mistakes foreigners make!</p> <h2>Coffee Culture — 커피 문화</h2> <p>Korea has over 90,000 cafés. Yes, you read that right. Seoul alone has more than 18,000! Coffee is a genuine national obsession.</p> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>아메리카노</td><td>a-me-ri-ka-no</td><td>Americano (THE reference coffee)</td></tr> <tr><td>카페라떼</td><td>ka-pe-ra-tte</td><td>Café latte</td></tr> <tr><td>카푸치노</td><td>ka-pu-chi-no</td><td>Cappuccino</td></tr> <tr><td>에스프레소</td><td>e-seu-peu-re-so</td><td>Espresso</td></tr> <tr><td>아이스커피</td><td>a-i-seu-keo-pi</td><td>Iced coffee</td></tr> <tr><td>뜨거운 커피</td><td>tteu-geo-un keo-pi</td><td>Hot coffee</td></tr> <tr><td>디카페인</td><td>di-ka-pe-in</td><td>Decaf</td></tr> </table> <p>The <strong>아메리카노</strong> is Korea's unofficial national beverage. Hot or iced, at any hour of the day or night. Koreans drink their 아이스 아메리카노 even in the middle of winter at -10°C. It's practically an act of faith!</p> <h3>Ordering Coffee — 카페에서 주문하기</h3> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>아이스로 할게요</td><td>a-i-seu-ro hal-ge-yo</td><td>Iced, please</td></tr> <tr><td>뜨거운 걸로 할게요</td><td>tteu-geo-un geol-ro hal-ge-yo</td><td>Hot, please</td></tr> <tr><td>샷 추가해 주세요</td><td>syat chu-ga-hae ju-se-yo</td><td>Add an extra shot please</td></tr> <tr><td>시럽 빼 주세요</td><td>si-reop ppae ju-se-yo</td><td>No syrup please</td></tr> <tr><td>포장이요</td><td>po-jang-i-yo</td><td>To go</td></tr> <tr><td>매장이요</td><td>mae-jang-i-yo</td><td>For here</td></tr> </table> <h2>Korean Teas — 한국 차</h2> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>녹차</td><td>nok-cha</td><td>Green tea</td></tr> <tr><td>보리차</td><td>bo-ri-cha</td><td>Barley tea (served free everywhere)</td></tr> <tr><td>유자차</td><td>yu-ja-cha</td><td>Yuzu citrus tea</td></tr> <tr><td>대추차</td><td>dae-chu-cha</td><td>Jujube tea</td></tr> <tr><td>생강차</td><td>saeng-gang-cha</td><td>Ginger tea</td></tr> <tr><td>인삼차</td><td>in-sam-cha</td><td>Ginseng tea</td></tr> <tr><td>옥수수차</td><td>ok-su-su-cha</td><td>Corn tea</td></tr> </table> <p><strong>보리차</strong> (barley tea) is served free at virtually every restaurant. It's the default drink when you sit down — not water, but 보리차! It's delicious, especially cold in summer.</p> <h2>Alcoholic Drinks — 술</h2> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>술</td><td>sul</td><td>Alcohol (generic term)</td></tr> <tr><td>소주</td><td>so-ju</td><td>Soju (distilled rice spirit)</td></tr> <tr><td>맥주</td><td>maek-ju</td><td>Beer</td></tr> <tr><td>막걸리</td><td>mak-geol-ri</td><td>Makgeolli (fermented rice wine)</td></tr> <tr><td>와인</td><td>wa-in</td><td>Wine</td></tr> <tr><td>소맥</td><td>so-maek</td><td>Soju + beer mix</td></tr> <tr><td>동동주</td><td>dong-dong-ju</td><td>Rice wine with floating grains</td></tr> </table> <h3>Drinking Culture — 음주 문화</h3> <p>Drinking alcohol in Korea is an extremely codified social activity. Here are the essential rules:</p> <table> <tr><th>Rule</th><th>Korean</th><th>Explanation</th></tr> <tr><td>Serve others first</td><td>따라 주다 (tta-ra ju-da)</td><td>Never pour for yourself; always serve others</td></tr> <tr><td>Use two hands</td><td>—</td><td>Hold the bottle with both hands when serving elders</td></tr> <tr><td>Turn your head</td><td>—</td><td>Turn your head away when drinking in front of a superior</td></tr> <tr><td>[건배](/en/dictionary/%EA%B1%B4%EB%B0%B0)!</td><td>geon-bae!</td><td>Cheers!</td></tr> <tr><td>원샷!</td><td>won-syat!</td><td>Bottoms up!</td></tr> </table> <p><strong>소맥</strong> (soju + beer mix) is extremely popular. The technique is to pour a shot of soju into a glass of beer. It's delicious, but be careful — it hits you fast!</p> <p>🍻 <strong>Want to speak Korean like a local?</strong> <a href="/en/signup">Join Seonsaengnim</a> to [learn Korean](/en/korean) with K-pop and a teacher available 24/7!</p>