Topic guide
Korean Food & Drinking Culture Explained
Korean food culture is social by design — shared side dishes, shared grills, shared rounds of drinks. This page collects the vocabulary that makes sense of it.
From the everyday (banchan) to the internet-famous (mukbang), these are the words you'll actually need at a Korean table.
- 01
What Does 반찬 (Banchan) Mean in Korean?
Learn what 반찬 (banchan) means — the shared side dishes at every Korean meal — including kimchi, refills, and dining etiquette around them.
- 02
What Does 삼겹살 (Samgyeopsal) Mean in Korean?
Learn what 삼겹살 (samgyeopsal) means — Korea's beloved grilled pork belly — how it's eaten, wrapped in lettuce, and why it's a social dish.
- 03
What Is 소주 (Soju)? Korea's Signature Spirit, Explained
Learn what soju (소주) is — Korea's iconic clear spirit — its typical ABV, the green bottle, and the drinking etiquette that goes with it.
- 04
What Does 안주 (Anju) Mean in Korean?
Learn what 안주 (anju) means — the food eaten alongside alcohol in Korea — from fried chicken to dried squid, and why drinking without it feels wrong.
- 05
What Does 치맥 (Chimaek) Mean in Korean?
Learn what 치맥 (chimaek) means — Korea's beloved fried chicken and beer combo — and why it's become a cultural phenomenon of its own.
- 06
What Does 회식 (Hoesik) Mean in Korean?
Learn what 회식 (hoesik) means — the Korean company dinner/team bonding tradition — including its etiquette, multiple courses, and changing modern attitudes.
- 07
What Does 먹방 (Mukbang) Mean in Korean?
Learn what 먹방 (mukbang) means — Korea's eating-broadcast phenomenon — where the word comes from and why it became a global YouTube genre.
- 08
찌개 vs 국 vs 탕: Korean Soup Words Compared
찌개, 국, and 탕 all translate to 'soup' or 'stew' in English, but they're different dishes with different roles at the table. Learn the difference.
Want these to stick?
Quiz yourself in today's study session →