How Do You Order Drinks in Korea? Things I learned about drinking in South Korea
Culture & Social Phrases
How Do You Drink Like a Local in Korea? Essential Korean Drinking Phrases
Learn practical Korean for toasting, ordering drinks, following etiquette, talking about anju, and declining alcohol politely.
The first time I joined a Korean drinking gathering, the hardest part was not ordering soju—it was knowing when to say 건배, how to receive a glass politely, and what to do when someone older poured me a drink. Once I understood those small customs, the table felt much easier to navigate.
Lesson Summary
- 건배! is a standard toast.
- 짠! is a casual toast among friends.
- 소주 한 병 주세요. orders one bottle of soju.
- 저 술 못 마셔요. means “I cannot drink alcohol.”
- 안주 means food eaten with alcohol.
Quick Answer
Say 건배! or casual 짠! for “Cheers.” To order one bottle of soju, say 소주 한 병 주세요.
How Korean Drinking Language Works
Useful patterns include 주세요 for polite requests, 한 병 / 두 병 for counting bottles, and short toast words such as 건배 and 짠.
How Do You Say “Cheers” in Korean?
Use 건배 as the standard toast and 짠! casually with friends.
| Phrase | Romanization | Meaning | Best Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 건배 | geon-bae | Cheers / toast | Standard or formal settings |
| 짠! | jjan! | Clink! / Cheers! | Casual with friends |
| 위하여! | wi-ha-yeo! | For...! / To...! | Formal dinners or group toasts |
| 원샷! | won-syat! | One shot! | Casual encouragement |
How Do You Order Drinks in Korean?
The most useful pattern is [drink] + number + 병 주세요 for bottled drinks.
| Situation | Hangul | Romanization | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order one bottle of soju | 소주 한 병 주세요. | so-ju han byeong ju-se-yo. | Please give us one bottle of soju. |
| Order two bottles of beer | 맥주 두 병 주세요. | maek-ju du byeong ju-se-yo. | Please give us two bottles of beer. |
| Ask for cold water | 시원한 물 좀 주세요. | si-won-han mul jom ju-se-yo. | Please give us some cold water. |
| Ask for another glass | 잔 하나 더 주세요. | jan ha-na deo ju-se-yo. | Please give us one more glass. |
| Decline alcohol | 저 술 못 마셔요. | jeo sul mot ma-syeo-yo. | I cannot drink alcohol. |
What Korean Drinking Etiquette Should You Know?
The source emphasizes pouring for others, using both hands with elders, turning slightly away when drinking, and keeping your glass lower when toasting with someone older.
| Situation | What to Do | Why It Matters | Useful Korean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pouring for others | Pour for companions rather than only yourself. | Shows attentiveness. | 따라 드릴게요. |
| Receiving from an elder | Use both hands or support your right wrist/elbow. | Shows respect. | 감사합니다. |
| Drinking with an elder | Turn slightly away when taking a sip or shot. | Traditional sign of respect. | Common at formal gatherings. |
| Clinking glasses | Keep your glass slightly lower with seniors/superiors. | Signals modesty. | 건배! |
What Is Anju?
안주 means food eaten with alcohol.
| Anju Item | Hangul | Romanization | Typical Pairing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pork Belly BBQ | 삼겹살 | sam-gyeop-sal | Soju |
| Korean Fried Chicken | 치킨 | chi-kin | Beer / 치맥 |
| Pancake | 파전 / 빈대떡 | pa-jeon / bin-dae-tteok | Makgeolli |
| Spicy Soup / Stew | 찌개 / 탕 | jji-gae / tang | Soju |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not assume everyone wants alcohol.
- Do not pressure someone to finish a drink because someone says 원샷.
- Use both hands at formal gatherings when pouring or receiving from elders.
- Match casual or formal language to the group.
Real-World Korean Drinking Scenarios
- Casual toast: 짠!
- Order soju: 소주 한 병 주세요.
- Another glass: 잔 하나 더 주세요.
- Decline alcohol: 저 술 못 마셔요.
Quick Knowledge Check
Question 1: What is the casual toast?
A) 감사합니다
B) 짠!
C) 주세요
Question 2: What should you do when receiving a drink from someone older?
A) Use both hands
B) Drink before them
C) Put the glass down
Question 3: How do you order one bottle of soju?
A) 소주 한 병 주세요.
B) 맥주 두 병 주세요.
C) 물 좀 주세요.
Show Answers
1. B) 짠!
2. A) Use both hands.
3. A) 소주 한 병 주세요.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 건배 mean?
건배 is a common Korean toast equivalent to “Cheers.”
What is 치맥?
치맥 combines 치킨 (chicken) and 맥주 (beer), referring to the popular chicken-and-beer pairing.
What should I say if I cannot drink alcohol?
Say 저 술 못 마셔요, meaning “I cannot drink alcohol.”
What is 소맥?
소맥 is a mixed drink made from soju and beer.
Conclusion
Korean drinking culture becomes easier to navigate when you know the basic toast, ordering phrases, and respectful table manners.
