What Is 소주 (Soju)? Korea's Signature Spirit, Explained
10-Second Answer
소주 (soju) is Korea's most iconic alcoholic drink — a clear, distilled spirit, traditionally made from grains like rice or barley (many mass-market bottles today use diluted ethanol from other starches like sweet potato). It usually comes in a distinctive green bottle, is drunk from small shot-style glasses, and shows up constantly alongside food like samgyeopsal and chicken.
Quick Examples
소주 한 병 주세요.
soju han byeong juseyo.
One bottle of soju, please.
소맥 마실래?
somaek masillae?
Want a soju-beer mix?
소맥 (somaek) = 소주 + 맥주 (beer), a hugely popular mixed drink.
The Basics
| Trait | Typical value |
|---|---|
| ABV (alcohol content) | Roughly 16–20% for most mainstream brands |
| Bottle | Small, green glass bottle — instantly recognizable |
| Serving | Small shot glasses, poured for others (see drinking etiquette) |
| Price | Very affordable — one of the cheapest alcoholic drinks by volume in Korea |
소주's low price and wide availability make it a default social drink rather than an occasional treat — it's genuinely everyday, not fancy or ceremonial.
How It's Actually Drunk
Soju follows all the drinking etiquette rules covered elsewhere on this site: you don't pour your own glass, you use two hands to pour for or receive from someone older, and you turn slightly away when drinking in front of an elder. It's almost always drunk WITH food, not alone — pairing especially with grilled meat (삼겹살), fried chicken (치맥), and other 안주 (drinking snacks).
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Sipping it like wine
Soju shots are traditionally drunk in one go (원샷, "one shot"), not sipped slowly, though this is loosening up with younger and more casual settings.
Mistake #2 — Drinking without food
Soju is deeply tied to meal culture — drinking it with no 안주 (snack/side dish) at all is unusual.
Mini Quiz
1. What does 소맥 refer to?
2. What's the typical ABV range for mainstream soju?
3. How is soju typically consumed?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
Soju is rarely drunk alone — anju is the food culture that always comes with it.
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Start today's study →Last updated: 2026-08-10 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.