You won’t need to worry about this if you are ordering drinks in a restaurant—it will be served ice-cold and ready to drink!
This act is said to date back to the old days when sediment was deposited into the bottles during production. Swirling the bottle is meant to bring the sediment to the top of the bottle. [4] X Research source Some drinkers opt to shake the bottle instead of swirling.
You may also bang the bottom of the bottle against your elbow instead of slapping it with your palm. [6] X Research source Some say the purpose of this part also has to do with breaking up the sediment in the bottle.
This portion of the bottle-opening ritual is meant to knock the sediment that was deposited during production out of the bottle so it doesn’t get drank. Modern production of soju filters the alcohol, so sediment is no longer an issue. However, the tradition has remained. [8] X Research source
This is a symbol of respect.
If you are pouring the shots, do not fill your own glass. After you have filled everyone else’s glass, set the bottle down so someone can fill yours for you.
After the first round of drinks has been poured, older people may use one hand when receiving subsequent pours.
Using both hands while drinking is a sign of respect, and turning your head away from others is to avoid flashing your teeth—which can be seen as disrespect in traditional Korean culture.
Remember to use both hands while pouring the drinks. [10] X Research source Remember not to fill your own glass. After you have poured a round of shots, set the bottle down so another member of the group can fill yours for you. (Remember to hold your glass with both hands while they pour. )
Many people choose to continue to take shots, just because the “rubbing alcohol” flavor of the soju doesn’t make it very pleasant for sipping. [11] X Research source
The person who flicks the end piece off of the cap wins; everyone else drinks.
The person who sinks the shot glass is the loser, and must drink the beer/soju mixture (called somek).
Here’s the tricky part: No one can shout the same number at the same time. For example, if more than one person shouts “2” at the same time, they all have to drink a shot together. If your group is able to get through all the numbers without saying any in unison, the person who says the final number drinks a shot.
