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What to eat & drink in South Korea? Top 31 Korean Beverages

Last update: Sun Mar 2 2025
Top 31 Korean Beverages
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Korean Beverage Types

01
Sujeonggwa
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Also known as Korean cinnamon punch, sujeonggwa is a popular traditional dessert drink consumed during the Korean festive holidays alongside with sikye (sweet rice drink). It is known to aid indigestion which is why it’s often served with a large meal.


It's made from water, dried persimmon, and cinnamon and has a dark brown color with a sweet and spicy aroma coming from the ginger and can be served both hot or cold. The earliest mention of this drink dates back to 1849 in the book Dongguksesigi by Hong Seok Mo (a book of seasonal customs), and it describes a drink made from the dried persimmon brew with added ginger and pine nuts.

02
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Maesil-ju is a traditional liqueur made with small-sized Asian plums (Prunus mume). Either unripe green or ripe yellow fruits can be used, sometimes even a mixture of both varieties. The drink is traditionally produced by steeping the fruit, together with sugar, in soju – traditional Korean spirit usually distilled from rice.


The combination is macerated for at least several weeks until the beverage attains its distinctive golden color and bitter-sweet flavor. The fruit is usually strained, though several plums can be left inside jars or bottles. Maesil-ju is traditionally enjoyed neat, served in small shot glasses. 
03

Rice Wine

SOUTH KOREA
3.9
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Makgeolli is the oldest Korean rice wine that dates back to the 10th century. It is usually made from rice which is fermented with nuruk—traditional Korean starter. The fermentation process produces a lightly fizzy drink with a typical milky appearance and a slightly sweet flavor.


Makgeolli was the most popular Korean drink until the 1980s when it was largely overshadowed by imports, and it gained the status of a farmer’s drink (nongju). However, in the last decade, the drink has seen an increase in popularity, and it can be found in many South Korean bars. 
04

Herbal Infusion

SOUTH KOREA and  2 more regions
3.9
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

Mugicha is a Japanese name for barley tea—an infusion made by steeping roasted barley grains in hot or cold water. Technically, barley tea is a tisane, and nowadays, it is often made by using teabags consisting of roasted and ground barley.


The drink has ancient origins and is enjoyed in many Asian countries. When brewed, barley tea has a light brown color and a savor, nutty and earthy flavor. It can be sweetened to preference, while the chilled, summer version is often served over ice. 
05
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Yuja-cha is a Korean citrus infusion that is mostly enjoyed during winter. It is made with yuya—a lemon-like citrus fruit native to China that was brought to South Korea during Tang dynasty. The tea can be prepared by mixing fresh sliced fruit with sugar and then combining it with warm water.


The other way is to make a fruit preserve (yuja-cheong), which usually consists of sliced yuya, honey or sugar, and water. The tea is then prepared by dissolving the preserve in water. This warming tea should be enjoyed warm and is often claimed to be a soothing health remedy.

06

Coffee

SOUTH KOREA and  2 more regions
3.9
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Dalgona is a frothy whipped coffee that is served on top of milk. Although it became internationally known as a South Korean beverage, similar versions are common in other Asian countries. The basic version of this coffee is made with equal parts of instant coffee, sugar, and water.


The combination is then whipped until it achieves caramel-like color and foamy texture. It is then traditionally ladled on top of milk. In South Korea, the drink was introduced by an actor Jung Il-woo who first had it in Macau. The flavor and the appearance reminded him of a popular Korean street snack, named dalgona, which is made with melted sugar and baking soda. 
07
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Omija-cha is a Korean infusion made with omija—five-flavor berry. Also known as schisandra or magnolia berry, these small red berries are dried before they are used to make omija tea. The berries can be boiled in hot water, which will bring out bitter flavors, but traditionally they are merely steeped in cold water.


The tea is usually sweetened with sugar and honey, and it can be enjoyed warm or cold. The berries will give the drink its distinctive red hue, and they will also provide five omija flavors—hence the name of the fruit—which include saltiness, sweetness, sourness, bitterness, and pungency. 
08
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Baekseju is a clear, herb-flavored Korean rice wine made with fermented glutinous rice. Ginseng is the dominant flavor, while the combination usually includes a blend of herbs and spices such as ginger, omija (Schisandra chinensis), goji berries, or cinnamon.


It is a subtly sweet drink with a distinctive herbaceous character, usually bottled at 13% ABV. Although the first written mention of baekseju dates back to the 17th century, in 1992, Kooksoondang introduced the first modern interpretation of the drink. 
09
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Cheongju is a variety of South Korean rice wine that is made from fermented polished rice. It is then filtered to produce a clear, crisp drink with a subtly sweet flavor. Cheongju is an ancient beverage that was once enjoyed on the royal court, and it is still often used a ceremonial or a welcome drink.


It is also commonly employed in cooking, primarily in marinades and various sauces.

VARIATIONS OF Cheongju Rice Wine
10

Tea / Infusion

SOUTH KOREA and  one more region
3.8
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

Although it is usually called ginger tea, this ginger-based drink is better described as a ginger infusion. It can be made by simmering sliced ginger in hot water, but in South Korea (saenggang-cha) and Japan (shōgayu), it is often prepared with a mixture of honey and grated ginger.


The combination is stored, and it is then just mixed with water. Some variations will also include lemon or starch. The drink is commonly enjoyed as a health remedy, and it can either be made as a hot or cold beverage. Ginger tea comes in numerous variations that are found in various Asian countries.

11
12
Spirit
SOUTH KOREA
3.7
13
14
15
16
17
18
Herbal Infusion
SOUTH KOREA  and  2 more regions
3.2
19
20
Cocktail
SOUTH KOREA
3.1
21
22
23
24
Rice Wine
JEONJU, South Korea
n/a
25
26
27
28
29
Alcoholic Beverage
MYEONCHEON-MYEON, South Korea
n/a
30
31
Rice Wine
SOUTH KOREA
n/a
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Korean Beverage Producers

01

Spirit

SOUTH KOREA, East Asia
5.0
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AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding

2024

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Silver

2024

BEST Agric. Corp. DanongBio Spirits
02

Spirit

SOUTH KOREA, East Asia
5.0
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

BEST Jinmaek Soju Spirits
03

Spirit

SOUTH KOREA, East Asia
5.0
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

04

Spirit

SOUTH KOREA, East Asia
5.0
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

BEST Mowall In Spirits
05

Beer

GANGWON PROVINCE, South Korea
5.0
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AWARDS

European Beer Star - Gold

2022

BEST SokchoBeer Beers
06

Beer

SEOUL, South Korea
5.0
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AWARDS

World Beer Awards - Gold

2023

BEST Amazing Brewing Company Beers
07

Spirit

SOUTH KOREA, East Asia
5.0
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AWARDS

World Gin Awards - Country Winner

2024

BEST BUJA GIN CO., LTD. Spirits
08

Beer

SEOUL, South Korea
4.9
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Original Beer Company in South Korea is a craft brewery known for its commitment to creating unique and high-quality beers that combine international brewing techniques with local flavors. It represents the growing craft beer movement in South Korea, which has gained significant popularity over the past few years as more people explore alternatives to traditional Korean beers like soju and makgeolli.
AWARDS

World Beer Awards - Gold

2023

World Beer Awards - Country Winner

2023

World Beer Awards - World’s Best Stout & Porter

2022

BEST Original Beer Company Beers
09

Spirit

BUSAN, South Korea
4.8
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AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold

2021

BEST Golden Blue Spirits
10

Spirit

SOUTH KOREA, East Asia
4.8
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AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold

2024

BEST Hwasimjujo Spirits
11
Spirit
SEOUL, South Korea
4.8
12
13
Wine
SEOUL, South Korea
3.8
14
Soft Drink
SEOUL, South Korea
n/a
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Korean Beverages

01
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AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding

2024

02

Spirit

SOUTH KOREA, East Asia
5.0
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

03
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

04
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

05

Spirit

SOUTH KOREA, East Asia
5.0
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

06

Beer

GANGWON PROVINCE, South Korea
5.0
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AWARDS

European Beer Star - Gold

2022

07
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AWARDS

World Beer Awards - Gold

2023

08
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AWARDS

World Gin Awards - Country Winner

2024

09
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Jet black with a dark tan head. Incredibly complex and balanced flavour profile: liquorice, bittersweet chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, roasted malt, dried dark fruits. Luxurious texture. Well-made.
AWARDS

World Beer Awards - Gold

2023

World Beer Awards - Country Winner

2023

World Beer Awards - World’s Best Stout & Porter

2022

10
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AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold

2021

11
12
13
14
15
16

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Korean Beverages