Fruit-flavored soju tends to be lower in alcoholic content but higher in sugar, as it is usually marketed to a younger crowd; it’s even available in juice-box form. Its vaguely sweet, milky flavor makes drinking an entire bottle easy. While some people just open the bottle at this point, others like to show off a few more moves by slapping the bottom of the bottle with a palm or an elbow before twisting off the cap and sharply poking the neck of the bottle with the webbing between the index and middle fingers so that a small amount of the soju spills out. When in Korean company, there are strict social rules for drinking soju. While most mid-range brands have a clean, mild taste rounded out with sweeteners and flavorings, commercial soju doesn’t provide a particularly complex taste experience. Try it in a Bloody Mary or a Screwdriver. The most famous brand Jinro sells nine million bottles every day. However, the tradition has remained. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Once you’ve done this, twist off the cap and choose the oldest person in the room to pour shots, which is tradition in Korean culture. Hold the soju near the bottom of the bottle in one hand and vigorously swirl it in a circular motion. Tech Insider Recommended for you. (I am 5'4 and 105 lbs). Although these three give you a pretty good idea of the types of commercial soju that Koreans drink, you might want to skip them and go straight for a premium brand like Hwayo. A Korean friend explained that this process supposedly comes from the days of traditional soju production, which often left sediment inside bottles. The answer to how much vodka to get drunk may vary from person to person. Most bars and restaurants sell alcohol, juice and soda by the bottle, not by the glass. unlocking this staff-researched answer. Some say the purpose of this part also has to do with breaking up the sediment in the bottle. This will redistribute the sediment at the bottom of the bottle if there is any. The swirling and slapping is meant to drive the sediment to the top so that it can be knocked out of the bottle. If you are in Korea, or in the company of Koreans, you should follow the traditions of the social sharing ritual when drinking soju. The best, in my experience, are the fruity ones: pineapple or peach, with pomegranate a close third. Soju is made of rice, wheat and barley, and is considered Korea’s most popular alcoholic beverage. Because of the nature of the tradition—the constant pouring of rounds to keep glasses full—it is easy to consume a lot of alcohol and become very intoxicated. Photo by Lee Jae Won / Reuters. This act is said to date back to the old days when sediment was … You never pour for yourself, though you may pour for others whenever you see an empty glass. Commercial soju is meant to be palatable to the largest number of people possible; it does not shilly-shally around with delicate flavors and aftertastes, focusing instead on an identifiable main flavor usually measured in sweetness level. Pitcher of kiwi soju. When everyone has a shot, take them together. The very nature of soju is communal. [1] Some drinkers opt to shake the bottle instead of swirling. It’s not hard to see why there’s a big drinking culture there when you consider the pleasures of a few glasses—or bottles—of soju in combination with good company and, most importantly, a delicious meal. But, if you’ve ever paid attention to the way K-drama characters enjoy soju, you’ve probably noticed certain unspoken rules that get highlighted from time to time. Packaged in a classic green bottle, it has a neutral flavor that is similar to American vodka. Soju and Korean food have such a symbiotic relationship that it might come as a surprise to discover that soju has foreign roots, only appearing in Korean culture in the 13th century when Mongol invaders brought arak’s distillation methods to the city of Andong, in what was then Goryeo. A hole in a wall at a Korean barbeque place, the quasi-cacophony of K-Pop, and a cute lass offering you a glass of Soju; all the commercials of this drink shown in the idiot box indeed concentrate on the Korean lifestyle an values epitomized by This liquor. Modern production of soju filters the alcohol, so sediment is no longer an issue. You won’t need to worry about this if you are ordering drinks in a restaurant—it will be served ice-cold and ready to drink! 4 bottles Stumbling. It doesn’t make sense to me. A few years ago Soju was almost impossible to get, but now at least I can lay my hands on it in Shenzhen, Manila, and Hong Kong in most stores. Not following these traditions may come across as an insult to elders and superiors. There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. has topped the list of the most-sold liquors in the world. Known as the Korean vodka, soju comes in a little green bottle and is the bitter drink that Koreans often bond to. How you Soju: One shot: This refers you downing the whole glass of soju or beer in one sitting. Next steps: As most traditional soju continues to be made with the same artisanal methods that have been used for generations, it’s a great chance to experience a bit of history through your taste buds (and later, through your hangover). There are traditional rituals guiding the consumption of soju, and much of it goes back to the fact that people aren’t meant to drink soju alone. Soju’s uncomplicated nature provides an ideal counterpart to Korean food, whether it’s to tone down a fiery mouthful of tteokbokki (a spicy rice cake) or balance the fatty, savory juiciness of samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly). Last Updated: April 11, 2020 To drink soju, serve it cold and without ice for the best flavor. The advantages of drinking soju of a kind eastern liquor extend from stroke avoidance to ear health issues: All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Here’s the tricky part: No one can shout the same number at the same time. Korean alcohol ☺ PJPiChY. Most Koreans will say that soju goes best with samgyeopsal and kimchi-based stews like budaejjigae (made with instant noodles and cured meats), though they will eventually concede they drink soju with everything and often enjoy it on its own. Cheap soju is clearly meant to get you drunk in the shortest amount of time by mixing just enough sweetness to make the ethanol more drinkable. Check out the "Drink Wheel" Below to determine what your blood alcohol level will be after you've consumed various drinks over a certain time period! The person who flicks the end piece off of the cap wins; everyone else drinks. If you’re pouring the shots, fill everyone else’s glass, then set the bottle down so someone else may fill yours, which is considered respectful. 2. Soju—a.k.a. After you have poured a round of shots, set the bottle down so another member of the group can fill yours for you. 1:05. How many bottle of Soju usually Korean drink before get drunk? However, soju’s relatively low alcoholic content, with most commercial brands’ alcohol by volume (ABV) hovering at around 20 percent, means that Koreans will usually put it away a shot at a time. The bottle is around … This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. (Remember to hold your glass with both hands while they pour.). Swirling the bottle is meant to bring the sediment to the top of the bottle. Another splendid & simple way to drink soju … To get a quick explanation of Soju, click below, otherwise read ahead. Hwayo soju is truly lovely and smooth, with a subtle but distinct rice fragrance that is reminiscent of Asian rice-based desserts. The person who sinks the shot glass is the loser, and must drink the beer/soju mixture (called somek). As a result, mid-range soju has an innocuous quality that allows it to go down effortlessly, unfortunately making it too easy to lose track of how much you’ve imbibed until it’s too late. Soju is, at it’s most basic, a clear, 20-24 percent alcohol by volume spirit. (for 1 person) See a translation Report copyright infringement; Answers When you "disagree" with an answer. It’s also the best selling alcohol in the world. Learn more... Soju is a traditional Korean spirit that is best served cold and neat (with no ice). Premium soju made through traditional methods has a much higher ABV, sometimes reaching up to over 50 percent, but is considerably smoother, with different brands boasting their own distinctive tastes and fragrances, which range from floral to fruity. Chum-Churum (which means “like the first time”) is a popular, youth-oriented soju with a lower ABV and moderately sweet flavor that isn’t as cloying as a fruit-flavored soju. Ahh, but recently, I never drink soju. Drink responsibly and never drink and drive. I don’t really like the taste of soju, but what I really hate is the Korean manner of drinking it: not as something to enjoy, have a good time, but as something to get very, very drunk, go out tumbling on the streets and then puke. Traditionally, soju alcohol is made from rice, wheat or barley. X It’s definitely a drink to savor, much like a good whiskey. The alcohol content ranges from 17% to 45%, and its taste varies from cheap vodka, to good vodka, to 200 proof moonshine. 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