Drinking Culture of Korea

I feel that it's important for me to touch upon the subject of drinking in Korea.  Too many times I have heard that all Jacob I do is drink and party - which is only partly true. Allow me to explain alcohol consumption in Korea...

First you have to understand that drinking is more than just a part of dinner or an activity to do late at night. It is more than going out with friends on Saturday night and getting wasted at a club. For Koreans, drinking is part of their culture. Soju isn't just watered down vodka - soju is an ancient drink that's been around since the 13th century. There is a specific way to drink it that is used as a way to show your respect to others (especially your elders or those who hold a higher position). To get a sense of how important alcohol is to Koreans it helps to know some of the background.

What is soju? Soju is a liquor typically made from rice (although there are been times when rice was scarce so potatoes or other starch foods were used instead). It's been around since the 13th century and requires a certain etiquette when being consumed. So you have two people at the table, each person has a shot glass. The youngest person fills the glass of the oldest person, the oldest person drinks and hands the glass back, fills it for the young one and the young person drinks. This is the short version of what happens - there are lots of rules that some Koreans follow like the young person isn't allowed to face the older person when they drink and must turn away.

Makkoli is another form of alcohol Koreans make and drink. It's a slightly sweet rice wine that looks milky. This beverage dates back waaaaay before soju, some believe it to have been created around the 1st to 2nd century. From what I've observed, it's usually served in a bowl like cup. Apparently not uncommon to drink for breakfast either...

OB (Oriental Brewery) is the main beer manufacturer here. OB produces Cass and Cafri along with OB using rice instead of malted barley (as we're used to in our beers). A brewery started in Korea, by Koreans, and only recently sold to a larger corporation. My personal favorite Korean beer! Better than Cass (remove the C and it tastes like _____) and Hite (add an S and it tastes like _____). hahaha

The most popular alcoholic beverages in Korea are the ones produced by Koreans. Koreans are proud of their culture, this includes alcohol (they even make their own wine!). Nationalism at its' best. ^_^

So alcohol is more than just drinking some liquor and trying to get booty or forgetting a hard day. Here, alcohol is tradition.