What Is Soju, Korea’s National Liquor?

Because the temperature rises, our collective palate begins to shift in direction of gentle and refreshing sorts of drinks. Enter: soju, the beloved nationwide liquor of selection in Korea that ought to be in your radar.

For a very long time—not less than within the U.S.—soju was primarily related to Korean barbecue joints and Korean eating places usually. Nevertheless it’s now popping up in liquor shops throughout the nation, with a collection of manufacturers and flavors. This aromatic and crisp liquor is straightforward to drink, but will nonetheless absolutely offer you a buzz. And now, like many features of Korean tradition, it’s making its manner throughout the Pacific Ocean in a giant manner.

What Is Soju

Soju is a colorless grain-based distilled liquor with a median alcohol content material of about 15 %, aside from some high-proof sojus as much as 50 %. Historically made with rice, soju might be distilled from different varieties of grains, partly as a result of a ban that stopped utilizing rice in soju manufacturing throughout previous years of hardship in South Korea. Today, soju is made largely utilizing rice with different grains blended in, similar to wheat and barley. Its flavors fluctuate relying on the model, however common notes embrace sweetness accented with plum, malt, and a light-weight trace of buttery richness, much like Japanese sake.

How you can Drink It

Like in lots of Asian consuming cultures, soju is usually consumed neat as a sipping beverage to accompany meals. As the typical soju is low-proof with the same alcohol content material to Japanese sake, soju might be as mellow as a glass of purple wine, which is why it pairs so effectively with meals. Within the conventional manner, soju is bought by the bottle at eating places in Korea. However a U.S. legislation forbids such observe and requires eating places to promote soju by the glass. To discover a center floor, restaurant employees sometimes convey out the bottle and pour the primary spherical of soju for you.

There are lots of soju manufacturers, a few of which can be found within the U.S. market. Jinro is essentially the most well-known model producing soju, with its quadruple-filtered Chamisul line being the most well-liked soju product in Korea. Different manufacturers, similar to Cheoeum-Cheoreom (the maker of Soonhari flavored soju) and Good Day, are additionally broadly distributed and cherished by many followers worldwide.

In distinction to soju’s lengthy historical past within the Korean peninsula, flavored variations are extra of a up to date iteration of the outdated spirit, and a few may even see them as an try and market the drink to youthful Koreans, who’re drawn to the decrease alcohol content material and fruity sweetness. Common flavors have been developed largely based mostly on fruits which are widespread in Asia, with mango, lychee, and pear topping the recognition listing. Because the flavors of plain soju are largely impartial with a delicate trace of sweetness, the added fruit flavors are inclined to take dominance, leading to a playful, fruit-forward, and clean drink which will get you drunk earlier than you realize it.

Then there’s the yogurt-flavored soju, which has seen unmatched recognition in abroad markets exterior South Korea, similar to Australia, ever since its debut. As in comparison with western yogurt, the “yogurt” replicated on this soju is a fermented, probiotic beverage that makes use of a unique pressure of micro organism and is lighter in texture and sweeter. Yakult, a Japanese firm that’s credited with the unique formulation of this yogurt drink, is the most well-liked model. As many individuals throughout East and Southeast Asia began consuming this yogurt as youngsters, its taste is synonymous with their childhood recollections.

To make it straightforward on the nostril and refreshing for the new summer season, chilling soju previous to serving is an strategy widespread in Korean eating places. Due to its alcohol content material, you don’t have to fret concerning the beverage freezing simply, except you’ve got a very chilly freezer. After chilling, the robust alcohol taste turns into subdued and the refreshing fruity and candy notes take heart stage.

Along with consuming it straight, soju has a spot in cocktails, too. Some of the widespread soju cocktail varieties is the refreshingly scrumptious soju slushie, which blends soju with Yakult yogurt, lime juice, and ice, much like a smoothie.

For many who desire one thing fizzy and stronger, seven components beer and three components soju put collectively makes a brand new drink known as somaek, which merges two phrases—soju and maekju—collectively and is actually translated as “soju and beer.” No matter what route you’re taking, seize a bottle of soju subsequent time you go to a liquor retailer and ensure to get pleasure from it with household and associates because it’s a social drink in Korea.