With Zane Lamprey
Thursdays at 9PM ET
South Korea
June 28 3:30AM ET
The hectic, vibrant streets of Seoul are teeming with spectacular delicacies and intense intoxicants such as Soju, a tapioca, sweet potatoes and rice based alcohol; the average Korean puts away nearly two bottles of it a day. This strong, clear libation is best served up with the grilled meats and assorted side dishes that comprise the massive Korean barbeque feast. Downtown Seoul welcomes the Soju enthusiast with its strip of outdoor watering holes, where drinking, drinking games and drinking songs are the order of the evening. Seoul dwellers cleanse away the night's excess with a steaming bowl of spicy soup, and you're wise to follow their lead.
Drink:
Ginsing infused with Soju
Drink:
Soju
Drink:
Poktanju - Beer with a shot of Soju in it
KNOW IT ALL?
What is Soju?
Soju is an alcoholic beverage native to Korea. Soju traditionally was made from rice, until, during the Korean War the use of rice to make beverages was prohibited. Then Soju was made from sweet potatoes and tapioca. Now many Soju makers have switched back to rice, others use a combination of the three.
More South Korea Facts...
- The term "One Shot" is a colloquial term used in South Korea to suggest the consumption of an alcohol beverage in one gulp.
- Konbe is the Korean term for Cheers!
- It is courteous to turn your head away slightly while drinking your toast, as a sign of respect.
- It is polite to place your left hand on your (under) right arm between the elbow and wrist while using your right hand to pour a drink in South Korea.
- Soju is the most common form of alcohol on South Korea.
- The alcohol content of Soju varies between 20% and 45% alcohol by volume.
- 3,000,000,000 bottles of Soju were consumed by South Koreans in 2004.