10 Popular South Korean Drinks (Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic)
South Korea is one of the largest markets for alcoholic drinks in the world. It is not a surprise, given that drinking alcohol is typically encouraged in both social and professional situations.
Whenever you meet a new person, or even an old friend, most of the time, you end up drinking alcohol. If you’ve ever been to South Korea as a drinking-age adult, you will already have noticed how important the drinking culture is there.
South Korea remains a country that deeply loves alcohol, but there are non-alcoholic drinks that foreign visitors are recommended to try, too. Korean non-alcoholic beverages will refresh the body and mind.
Let’s take a look first at the most famous non-alcoholic drinks that you must try. Then, popular alcoholic drinks that are mostly used for creating and tightening emotional bonds will be introduced.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
1. ë°”ë‚˜ë‚˜ë§›ìš°ìœ (Bananamat uyu: Banana-Flavored Milk)
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Probably the most famous non-alcoholic drink in South Korea is Bananamat uyu. According to statistics, about one million bottles of banana milk are sold per day in South Korea.
It may sound like a boring drink, since Bananamat uyu literally means ‘banana-flavored milk.’ However, given its totally addictive combination of sweet and savory flavors, it is no surprise that this beverage is so popular.
Bananamat uyu is not just a drink, but memories of childhood for South Koreans. Initially, it became popular because bananas were a luxury food. In 1974, Binggrae, which is the most popular flavored-milk brand, created Bananamat uyu as a nutritional snack that enabled the general public to taste bananas while drinking more milk for their health.
You can easily purchase Bananamat uyu at any convenience or grocery store.
2. 박카스 (Bacchus)
If you need to stay awake while traveling, studying, or working in South Korea and don’t feel like having coffee, give Bacchus a try! Bacchus is a South Korean energy drink that was first introduced to the market in 1963. Since then, it has been on the list of iconic steady sellers.
Bacchus was initially created as a hangover remedy. Now, it is compared to Red Bull as an energy booster, targeting those who really need a boost. You can easily grab a bottle of Bacchus in a convenience store.
3. 미숫가루 (Misutgaru: Ground Grains)
Do you drink protein shakes daily? If yes, Misutgaru is the right choice for you! It is a shake made from a powder of various healthy ingredients, such as nuts, beans, and grains. You can also add some honey to it if you like, or any other ingredient.
This shake is good diet food, because it is high in protein and fiber and gives you nutrition with a variety of whole grains. It is an easy-to-make shake, since you can simply mix this ready-made powder with milk or water.
If you are planning to go sightseeing around Seoul or other cities in South Korea, this easy and quick nutritious beverage would be especially great.
4. ìˆëŠ‰ (Sungnyung: Scorched Rice Tea)
Nurungji, scorched rice (or crunchy rice), is a commonly used ingredient in Korea. Sungnyung is a traditional Korean infusion made from the thin toasted rice found at the bottom of a cooking pot after cooking rice, and it has a clean and savory taste.
You may not be able to see Sungnyung on restaurant menus, since it is usually served for free after a meal. Many believe that Sungnyung aids digestion and replenishes the body with nutrition.
Would you like to try this drink? You can easily make it at home! Remove the cooked rice from the pot, pour water into the pot, and boil the rice that is stuck to the bottom. Read More…
