Indulgences

1. 소주

   So-ju

   Soju (distilled spirit)

   Usage

   The most common Korean spirit, sold in green bottles at roughly 16–20% ABV. Pour for others with both hands as a courtesy

2. 과일소주

   Gwa-il-so-ju

   Fruit soju

   Usage

   Soju flavoured with grape, peach or citron. Sweeter and weaker than plain soju, usually around 12–14% ABV

3. 막걸리

   Mak-geol-li

   Makgeolli (unfiltered rice wine)

   Usage

   A cloudy rice brew of about 6–8% ABV. It settles, so swirl the bottle before pouring. Classically paired with pajeon

4. 동동주

   Dong-dong-ju

   Dongdongju (rice wine with floating grains)

   Usage

   A brew of the same family as makgeolli, with grains of rice floating on top. "동동" describes things bobbing on a surface

   Grammar Note

   Also called 浮蟻酒 ("부의주"), likening the floating rice grains to ants

5. 맥주

   Maek-ju

   Beer

   Usage

   Sino-Korean 麥酒. Draft is "생맥주" and canned is "캔맥주". Beer with fried chicken has its own word, "치맥"

6. 소맥

   So-maek

   Somaek (soju mixed with beer)

   Usage

   A blend of "소주" and "맥주", commonly mixed at group dinners. It raises the alcohol content, so pace yourself

7. 복분자주

   Bok-bun-ja-ju

   Bokbunja-ju (black raspberry wine)

   Usage

   A sweet, deep purple fruit liqueur made by steeping Korean black raspberries (Rubus coreanus) in distilled soju

8. 안동소주

   An-dong-so-ju

   Andong soju

   Usage

   A traditional distilled spirit from Andong in North Gyeongsang. Unlike the diluted green-bottle soju, it runs 35–45% ABV

9. 전통주

   Jeon-tong-ju

   Jeontongju (traditional Korean liquor)

   Usage

   The umbrella term for liquor made by traditional methods. Appears on specialty shop signs and duty-free shelf labels, and covers regional folk liquors ("민속주")

10. 안주

    An-ju

    Anju (food eaten with alcohol)

    Usage

    Dishes eaten alongside drinks. Korean pub menus usually have a separate "안주" section, distinct from meals ("식사")

    Grammar Note

    Written 按酒, "to press down the drink". Drinking with no anju at all is called "강소주"

11. 담배

    Dam-bae

    Cigarettes, tobacco

    Usage

    Bought by pointing at the brand behind the convenience-store counter. E-cigarettes are "전자담배". All indoor restaurants and cafes are non-smoking

12. 흡연실

    Heu-byeon-sil

    Smoking room

    Usage

    An enclosed smoking booth found in airports, stations and large buildings. Street areas marked "금연구역" are also no-smoking

    Grammar Note

    "흡연" (smoking) + "실" (room). The spelling Heu-byeon reflects the liaison of 흡+연 pronounced [흐변]

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