Korean Drinks
From watermelon punch to the Korean tea ceremony, you will find Korean drink recipes, information, and traditions here.
Types of Korean Anju (Drinking Snacks)
In Korea, drinking alcohol and eating go hand in hand: alcohol is almost always served and enjoyed with snacks or side dishes called "Anju". These dishes are often savory and/or spicy like spicy fried chicken or squid, but nuts and fruit are also popular anju. It is a requirement to order anju with drinks at many Korean bars, clubs, and karaoke places. Until recently, Wine Pairings for Korean Food
Korean food is notoriously hard to pair with wines, since there are so many different types of flavors in your average Korean meal. And since many of these flavors are intense and the scents aggressive, it can be hard to find a suitable wine for a Korean dinner. The trick is to make your wine decision based on the main dishes of the meal rather than the banchan (side dishes), since the latter will almost always include spicy, sweet, or salty flavors.
In Korea, drinking alcohol and eating go hand in hand: alcohol is almost always served and enjoyed with snacks or side dishes called "Anju". These dishes are often savory and/or spicy like spicy fried chicken or squid, but nuts and fruit are also popular anju. It is a requirement to order anju with drinks at many Korean bars, clubs, and karaoke places. Until recently, Wine Pairings for Korean Food
Korean food is notoriously hard to pair with wines, since there are so many different types of flavors in your average Korean meal. And since many of these flavors are intense and the scents aggressive, it can be hard to find a suitable wine for a Korean dinner. The trick is to make your wine decision based on the main dishes of the meal rather than the banchan (side dishes), since the latter will almost always include spicy, sweet, or salty flavors.
Apple Soju Cocktail
This refreshing apple soju cocktail is simple to mix for even the sloppiest bartender. Light and smooth, you can serve it in a martini glass with apple slices as garnish. If you want to do it up like a Korean bar, hollow out an apple to use as a cocktail glass.
This refreshing apple soju cocktail is simple to mix for even the sloppiest bartender. Light and smooth, you can serve it in a martini glass with apple slices as garnish. If you want to do it up like a Korean bar, hollow out an apple to use as a cocktail glass.
Sour Soju Shot
A soju shooter that is tart, crisp, and too easy to drink.
A soju shooter that is tart, crisp, and too easy to drink.
Yogurt Soju Cocktail Recipe
A yogurt cocktail might sound crazy, but yogurt soju is popular in Korea and all over Asia. Both yogurt and soju go well with the fiery aspects of Korean cuisine, so it makes sense that they'd be mixed by Koreans. But be careful, as the most common complaint about yogurt soju is that it's so easy to drink that you're drunk before you know it.
A yogurt cocktail might sound crazy, but yogurt soju is popular in Korea and all over Asia. Both yogurt and soju go well with the fiery aspects of Korean cuisine, so it makes sense that they'd be mixed by Koreans. But be careful, as the most common complaint about yogurt soju is that it's so easy to drink that you're drunk before you know it.
Soju
Profile of the Korean Liquor Soju, the most popular alcohol in Korea today and a drink of growing popularity in the West.
Profile of the Korean Liquor Soju, the most popular alcohol in Korea today and a drink of growing popularity in the West.
Korean Ginger Tea (Saengang Cha)
This sweet Korean ginger tea is served chilled as a refresher on a hot summer day or brewed with cinnamon and served warm as a natural cold remedy.
This sweet Korean ginger tea is served chilled as a refresher on a hot summer day or brewed with cinnamon and served warm as a natural cold remedy.
Korean Barley Tea (Bori Cha)
This light, nutty tea is served year-round with Korean food. Healthy and mild, it can be served hot, warm, or cold.
This light, nutty tea is served year-round with Korean food. Healthy and mild, it can be served hot, warm, or cold.
Korean Watermelon Punch
A refreshing drink for the summertime, this is best made with Korean rice brandy (soju). The addition of lemon-lime soda is a modern twist, and the recipe is still delicious without the brandy for a non-alcoholic drink.
A refreshing drink for the summertime, this is best made with Korean rice brandy (soju). The addition of lemon-lime soda is a modern twist, and the recipe is still delicious without the brandy for a non-alcoholic drink.
Korean Tea Ceremony
The late Mi Hee Kim is credited with reviving the 2000 year old Korean tea ceremony, which even predates the more famous Japanese one. Her foundation now works to preserve the Korean tea tradition, and you can learn about the ancient ceremonies including the everyday, scholarly, and guest versions. With step-by-step photos, you can recreate these tea ceremonies at home for special occasions.
The late Mi Hee Kim is credited with reviving the 2000 year old Korean tea ceremony, which even predates the more famous Japanese one. Her foundation now works to preserve the Korean tea tradition, and you can learn about the ancient ceremonies including the everyday, scholarly, and guest versions. With step-by-step photos, you can recreate these tea ceremonies at home for special occasions.
History, Types, and Medicinal Uses of Korean Teas
An overview and short history of teas in Korean culture. This useful list also gives the medicinal uses of teas as they are used in Korean culture as herbal remedies for improving skin tone, liver function, digestion, and for healing colds and flu.
An overview and short history of teas in Korean culture. This useful list also gives the medicinal uses of teas as they are used in Korean culture as herbal remedies for improving skin tone, liver function, digestion, and for healing colds and flu.