Offer drinks with consideration for the other person
The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture records the practice under the name judo (주도, 酒道) — "the way of drink" — and says its point in one line: 주도는 특히 어른을 공경하는 데에 뜻이 있다, the way of drink is above all about respect for elders. In the old village rite, order was set by age and the eldest was served first.
At some group meals, people offer to pour for each other as a sign of attention. Pouring your own drink is called jajak (자작). Customs vary by group and formality; it is not inherently a sign that someone has neglected you. Keep these points in mind:
- Ask before pouring. An empty glass does not necessarily mean the person wants another drink.
- Some groups refill only an empty glass. You can ask for more if you want it, without treating the custom as an obligation to finish.
- Say clearly when you do not want more. You can also leave your drink unfinished.
Two hands, and when they matter
The gesture everyone has heard about is real, and the encyclopaedia states it plainly: when offering drink to an elder you pour with both hands, and when an elder offers you a glass you receive it with both hands. What "two hands" means in the room:
| Situation | What people do |
|---|---|
| Pouring for someone clearly older | Hold the bottle in your right hand and support it with your left hand, or rest your left hand on your right forearm. |
| Pouring for someone your age | You can usually pour with one hand in a relaxed setting; using two hands is also courteous. |
| Receiving from someone older | Hold the glass in your right hand and support its base or your right wrist with your left hand. |
| Receiving from a friend | You can usually receive the glass with one hand among friends. |
| Drinking in front of someone much older | Some people turn their head slightly away from an elder when taking a sip. |
| Being poured for while seated far away | Move closer if possible so you can receive the drink comfortably with both hands. |
In formal company, some people turn slightly away from an elder when drinking. Friends may omit the gesture. Other customs, such as standing to receive a drink, vary by group and occasion. Follow your host’s example if you feel comfortable, and ask if you are unsure.
Ask before topping up a glass
Cheomjan (첨잔) means adding more drink to a glass that is not empty. Some people avoid doing this because of its association with ancestral memorial rites; others are more relaxed. Ask before refilling any glass: 한 잔 더 드릴까요? means “Would you like another drink?” A person can decline or leave their drink unfinished.
What is law, and what is not
Pouring customs are social conventions. Alcohol sales, driving and public drinking are subject to separate laws. In 2026, people born in 2007 or earlier may buy alcohol under Korea’s calendar-year age rule. Carry accepted identification when buying alcohol. Do not drive or cycle after drinking, and check local restrictions before drinking outdoors.
You can decline a drink regardless of the group’s customs. Do not pressure another person to drink.
How much Koreans actually drink
Less than the stereotype. The national health agency found that in 2025 57.1% of adults drank at least monthly and high-risk drinking peaked among men in their fifties at 23.4%, falling to 10.4% among men in their twenties. The 2025 alcohol industry survey of 2,000 regular drinkers reported the following figures:
| 2025 figure | |
|---|---|
| Average drinking days per month | 8.8 |
| Average drinks in a session | 6.6 (men in their thirties 8.1; women in their fifties 3.2) |
| Sessions under four drinks | 41.2% |
| Share of drinking by type — beer | 38.9% |
| Share of drinking by type — diluted soju | 23.1% |
| Share of drinking by type — makgeolli (탁주) | 9.6% |
The drinking trend Koreans themselves name as most mainstream is buying from a convenience store (85.5%), ahead of drinking at home and drinking alone. These survey results describe drinking habits; they do not create an expectation that you should drink.
What you will be handed
- Soju (소주) is a Korean distilled spirit, commonly ordered by the bottle and served in small glasses. Check the label for its alcohol content.
- Beer (맥주) may be served by the bottle or on draught. Somaek (소맥) is a mixture of soju and beer.
- Makgeolli (막걸리) is a cloudy, lightly fizzy Korean fermented rice drink, often served in bowls. Follow the bottle’s instructions for mixing any sediment and open it carefully.
- Anju (안주) means food eaten with alcoholic drinks. Some bars require a food order, so check the menu or ask staff.
