Food and drink are more than just a way to satisfy your appetite. They are part of our lives, spirits, and cultures. They create cultural experiences an individual encounters in both everyday life and on special occasions.
As in many countries, in Korea, drinking is more than just the act itself. It is deeply associated with social gatherings such as Hoesik (team dinner with colleagues) in college and work. People often go out for a drink with their friends, and drinking is sometimes even regarded as a way to cope with stressful situations. This shows that drinking culture is deeply immersed in the social context of Korean society.
How to drink politely in Korea
While different countries across the world share their love for alcohol, there are some drinking etiquette that one should follow when drinking with Koreans. Korea is a country with a strict hierarchy system, and drinking culture is no exception. Although they may look small and trivial, such rules are important in Korean drinking culture, as they show respect toward your company. The etiquettes start with pouring drinks for one another. It is thought to be more ideal to pour drinks for your company than to let them fill their glasses by themselves. In addition to this, one should hold a bottle with both hands when pouring drinks for someone older than oneself. The same goes for when receiving a drink—you should hold your glass with both hands when people older than you offer you a drink. Another etiquette is to turn your head away to drink, if you are drinking with the elders.
Korean drinks and their food pairing
Soju is the most famous alcoholic drink in Korea, but it is certainly not the only drink of the country. While Soju is a fermented and distilled drink made with rice and grains, Makgeolli, often referred to as rice wine, is made through fermentation and has a milky color, in contrast to the transparent Soju. Beer, although not Korean, is also often enjoyed in casual drinking occasions.
Food that pairs with alcoholic drinks is called Anju in Korea, and people are truly enthusiastic in pairing Anjus with the right drinks. Chimaek, the pairing of fried chicken and beer, is the most iconic and beloved food and drink pairing in Korea. Another pairing requires a special weather condition: the rain. On rainy days, Koreans eat Pajeon, Korean pancakes with scallions, with Makgeolli. It is derived from the tradition of eating Pajeon when it rains, as the sound of cooking the pancake resembles the sound of the rain.
Enjoy drinking games with Koreans
The famous “APT.” by Rosé introduced a Korean drinking game called Apateu to her fans across the world. Apateu, which is also how Koreans say apartment, is one of the many drinking games that Koreans enjoy when drinking. The rules for the games vary, but the penalty for losing is the same: The loser has to drink a shot. Many games require you to follow the patterns that repeat with rhythms, so practice is the key to winning.
As you may have noticed, drinking occasions in Korea are highly social events, and some people may have experienced being forced or pressured to drink, even when they do not want to—especially in the past. Luckily, the perception is changing. Companies are guiding employees to create a more casual and free environment in Hoesiks, and people are now more focusing on spending quality time with friends and family on drinking occasions, rather than forcing drinks on them.
