By Yuliya Geikhman Last updated: July 25, 2024

72 Drinks in Korean

Traditional Korean drinks offer a glimpse into the country’s culture and history. From the invigorating barley tea, believed to cleanse the body and aid digestion, to the sweet and comforting sikhye, a fermented rice drink often served as a dessert, each beverage tells a story.

In this guide, you’ll learn all about refreshments, beverages, alcoholic tipples and everything in between.

Contents

• Common Drinks in Korean 
• • Non-Alcoholic Drinks
  • Alcoholic Drinks
  • Traditional Korean Drinks
• How to Order Drinks in Korean
• Korean Drinking Etiquette
• And One More Thing...

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Common Drinks in Korean 

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Here are the drinks we imbibe on a regular basis, regardless of age. Whether you prefer a piping hot cup of tea or are partial to a fruit juice, this is where you’ll find their Korean names.

Alcoholic Drinks

Bottoms up! Check out some names for alcoholic drinks in Korean.

But before you drink, don’t forget to clink your glasses together with your companions and say 건배 (geonbae) — Cheers! 

Traditional Korean Drinks

Learn about some common traditional Korean drinks below:

• 보리차 (Boricha) — Barley tea, a tea made from roasted barley grains that has a gentle toasty flavor and is believed to be detoxifying. 
• 쌍화차 (Ssanghwa cha) — A bitter herbal tea made from a combination of various medicinal herbs.
• 유자차 (Yuja-cha) — A hot citron tea made from yuja (citron) fruit and honey.
• 오미자차 (Omija-cha) — “Five-flavor berry tea,” made from omija berries, known for their five flavors (sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent).
• 생강차 (Saenggang cha) — Ginger tea, often served hot and believed to have various health benefits.
• 대추차 (Daechu-cha) — A tea made from jujubes (Chinese dates) known for its sweet and soothing taste.
• 국화차 (Gukhwa-cha) — Chrysanthemum tea, a light and floral tea made from chrysanthemum flowers (and a personal favorite!).
• 율무차 (Yulmu-cha) — A tea made from Job’s tears, a type of grain, known for its nutty taste.
• 민들레뿌리차 (Mindeulleppuri-cha) — Dandelion root tea, an herbal tea made from the roots of dandelion plants.
• 인삼차 (Insamcha) — Ginseng tea, made from ginseng roots and believed to have various health benefits.
• 유자꿀차 (Yujaggul-cha) — A sweet honey citron tea often consumed for its soothing properties.
• 알로에 음료 (Alloe eumryo) — Aloe vera drink, a refreshing beverage made from aloe vera gel, often mixed with fruit flavors.
• 옥수수수염차 (Oksusu-suyeomcha) — Corn silk tea made from the silky threads found on corn cobs.
• 솔잎차 (Sonamucha) — Pine needle tea made from the needles of pine trees, known for its earthy, Sprite-like flavor.
• 우전차 (Ujeoncha) — A type of green tea made from the first flush of tea leaves in spring.
• 화채 (Hwachae) — Fruit punch, often made with a mix of fruits (especially watermelon), honey and sometimes a touch of soju.
• 바나나 우유 (Banana Uyu) — Banana milk is a national favorite, especially loved by younger generations that features a creamy sweetness and subtle banana flavor.
• 식혜 (Sikhye) — Sweet rice drink with barley malt, often enjoyed as a dessert.
• 막걸리 (Makgeolli) — Traditional Korean rice wine with a slightly sweet and tangy taste.
• 동동주 (Dongdongju) — Unfiltered rice wine, similar to makgeolli but with a thicker consistency.
• 소주 (Soju) — Clear distilled spirit usually made from rice, barley or sweet potatoes.
• 복분자주 (Bokbunja-ju) — Wine made from bokbunja, Korean black raspberry.
• 산사춘 (Sansachun) — A Korean rice wine flavored with the red sansa fruit, or Chinese hawthorn.
• 백세주 (Baekseju) — “Hundred-Year Liquor,” A medicinal wine that gets its name from the belief that drinking it will help you live to 100.

How to Order Drinks in Korean

Heading out to the bar or restaurant? Here are some basic phrases for ordering drinks in Korean:

• [Drink name] 주세요. ([Drink name] juseyo.) — Please give me [drink name].
• 메뉴판 주세요. (Menyupan juseyo.) — Please give me the menu.
• 제일 인기 있는 음료 뭐예요? (Jaeil ingi inneun eumryo mwoeyo?) — What is the most popular drink?
• 이 음료 있어요? (I eumryo isseoyo?) — Do you have this drink?
• 얼음 넣어 주세요. (Eoreum neoheojuseyo.) — Please add ice.
• 조금 덜 달게 해 주세요. (Jogeum deol dalge hae juseyo.) — Make it a bit less sweet, please. 
• 한 잔 더 주세요. (Han jan deo juseyo.) — One more glass, please.
• 음료를 리필해 주세요. (Eumryoreul riphil hae juseyo.) — Please refill my drink.
• 계산서 주세요. (Gyesanseo juseyo.) — Please give me the bill.
• 서비스 감사합니다. (Seobiseu gamsahamnida.) — Thank you for the service.

If you’re left thirsty for more, you can pick up many more useful Korean phrases and vocabulary words for talking about drinks (and much more!) on FluentU.

Korean Drinking Etiquette

Korean drinking culture is deeply rooted in social customs and traditions. To avoid a drink-time faux pas, here are some key aspects of Korean drinking etiquette, especially pertaining to alcoholic drinks:

• Pouring drinks: The youngest or lowest-ranking person at the table is usually responsible for pouring drinks for others. When pouring a drink for someone older or of higher status, use both hands to show respect.
• Receiving drinks: When receiving a drink, hold your glass with both hands, especially when receiving it from someone older or of higher status.
• Refusing a drink: It’s common for people to offer drinks as a sign of hospitality. If you need to refuse, you can do so politely, but it’s generally encouraged to accept the first drink offered.
• Making toasts: Lift your glass with both hands during a toast to show respect. After the toast, it’s customary to take a sip.
• Drinking games: Known as 주먹게임 (Jumeokgeim), drinking games are fun ways to drink socially or get to know the people you’re out with. For instance, the game “I am ground” has you going around the table introducing yourself in rhythm, then the round continues as each person tries to name someone they’ve just been introduced to. You can see it being played here. Looks like fun!
• Hangover cures: Had a fun night drinking with your colleagues and are now suffering from the dreaded hangover? Koreans swear by the hearty soup 해장국 (haejangguk), which literally means “hangover soup.”  

This post should quench your thirst for everything related to drinks in Korean. Now 한잔 하자 (hanzan haja) — Let’s drink!

And One More Thing...

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