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Soju
Bottle of Chamisul soju with branded glass
Korean name
Hangul:	소주
Hanja:	燒酒
Revised Romanization:	Soju
McCune-Reischauer:	Soju

Soju (소주) is an alcoholic beverage with origins in Korea. The main ingredient is rice, almost always in combination with other ingredients such as wheat, barley, sweet potato, or tapioca (called dangmil in Korean). Soju is clear in color and typically varies in alcohol content from about 20% to about 45% alcohol by volume (ABV), with 20% ABV being most common. Its taste is comparable to vodka, though it is often slightly sweeter due to the addition of sugar in the manufacturing process.

Shōchū is the Japanese version of soju. Soju is sometimes mistakenly referred to as "rice wine," a term normally used for cheongju (청주), the Korean equivalent of sake. Soju is similar to Chinese baijiu (grain liquor).

From 1965 until 1991, in order to alleviate rice shortages, the Korean government prohibited the traditional methods of distilling soju from pure grain. Soju was then made primarily through dilution by mixing pure ethanol with water and flavoring. The vast majority of inexpensive soju available today is produced in this manner. Soju produced through dilution from ethanol is known as diluted soju, while soju produced by distillation from grain is known as distilled soju. The Korean government regulates the alcohol content of diluted soju to less than 35%.

Because of its ready availability and its low price relative to other alcoholic beverages, soju has become one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in Korea. More than 3 billion bottles were consumed in South Korea in 2004. ^[1] However, other drinks such as beer, whisky, and wine have been gaining popularity in recent years.

Along with the mass-produced brands, which are widely available in Korea, there are several regions which are famous for making soju in a more traditional way, with the soju made in Andong being the most famous. Soju is typically consumed in small shot glasses.

Jinro is the largest manufacturer of soju (70 million cases sold in 2004). The most popular variety of soju is currently Chamisul (참이슬 - literally meaning "real dew"), a quadruple-filtered soju produced by Jinro, but recently Cheo-um-cheo-reom (처음처럼 - literally meaning "like the first time") of Doosan (두산) is raising its market share

Contents 1 History 2 Customs 3 Soju cocktails 4 Other 5 Notes 6 See also 7 External links

Soju was first distilled around A.D. 1300 during the Mongol occupation of Korea. The Mongols had acquired the technique of distilling arak from the Persians during their invasion of Central Asia/Middle East around 1256, then it was subsequently introduced to Koreans and distilleries were set up around city of Kaesong(개성)(around the area of Kaesong, soju is known as arak-ju (아락주)).

While most Koreans will understand foreigners are unaccustomed to their drinking traditions, they will generally follow these norms themselves and notice favorably when foreigners comply. Most, if not all, of these customs are applicable in Korea regardless of the drink.

• Soju is usually drunk in group gatherings.
• It is against traditional mannerisms in Korea to fill one's own glass. They wait for someone else to fill their empty glass. Others are expected to fill the glass, and are eager to do so as soon as they spot an empty glass.
• A glass should not be filled unless completely empty.
• If one's glass is going to be filled by a superior, one should hold the glass using two hands. Similarly, when pouring soju for an elder, one holds the bottle with two hands.^[2]
• If a senior gives an empty soju shotglass (usually his/hers) to you, it means that the person is going to fill the glass and wants you to drink it. You do not have to drink it bottoms up, but at least you have to act like you are drinking it (sipping is okay). And if you drink "the glass" and make it empty, then turn the glass back to the senior who gave it to you. You are not supposed to turn it back soon, but holding it for a long time is considered rude.
• Koreans say "one shot", a challenge to down your glass in one gulp.
• When drinking in front of elders (people older than you), you should always turn away from the elder and then consume. Drinking the shot while facing the elder is disrespectful.
• When drinking among friends of equal social stature, it is often considered overly formal to use two hands when pouring or receiving a drink.

Soju cocktail ("Cocktail soju" among Koreans) is simply soju mixed with Sprite and various kinds of syrup. Soju cocktails are popular among young people (especially women) because they feel that soju by itself is too strong. The most popular soju cocktail is one that tastes like lemonade, which is called "lemon soju" in Korea. The general recipe for lemon soju involves mixing one part soju with two parts Sprite and adding lemonade powder. There are also other variations of soju cocktails, including apple soju, melon soju, yogurt soju, mango soju, and grape soju. Like soju, soju cocktails are consumed by the shot glass.

Several bars serve "soju kettles", particularly those catering to younger people and foreigners. The upper section of an empty 2 liter plastic bottle is cut off, and the remainder filled with a bottle of soju and topped up with sprite and kool-aid. Several straws are then dropped into the kettle, making it reminiscent of the "buckets" commonly available in Thailand.

A stronger cocktail called poktanju (lit: "bomb drink,") consists of a shot glass of soju dropped into a pint of draft beer (like a boilermaker) and drunk quickly. An even stronger cocktail called suso poktanju (lit: "hydrogen bomb drink") is the reverse: a shot glass of draft beer dropped into a pint of soju.

Drinks popular among American service members are named "Red Dog" and "Ammo Bowl". These are commonly shared between members of a group. "Red Dog" is made by mixing a bottle of soju, 6 containers of yogurt milk, and a bottle of Chilsung Cider (similar to Sprite). An "Ammo Bowl" usually consists of soju, koolaid, and ice in a stainless steel bowl; members of the group may usually dip out mugfulls from the bowl.

Soju is also a common name for an unruly tabby cat, often black and white in colour.

1. ^ 3.05 billion bottles were reported sold in 2004, up from previous years. Cigarette Sales Surge to Historic High. Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved on June 29, 2005.
2. ^ In the korean culture, using two hands to offer and accept items is considered an act of respect. This peculiar pouring ritual, however, emanated from the practice of holding back the sleeve of the hanbok so that it wouldn't touch the table or the food.
   • In receiving a drink the glass should be rested in the left palm and held by the right hand (bowing the head slightly doesn't hurt) and to pour a drink the bottle should be held in the right hand and the left hand should be touching the forearm or elbow.

• Korean wines
• List of Korea-related topics
• Korean cuisine
• Shōchū - Japanese drink that is similar to soju
• Korean beer

• Jinro's American Web Page
• Picture Glossary of Korean Food
• Andong Soju
• Andong soju profiled in SkyNews
• Chung Book Soju
• Doosan Soju
• Halla San Soju
• Jinro Soju's English-language web page
• California Soju Trend
• Muhak Soju
• Ku Soju
• Sunyang Soju
• Marketplace Report – soju sidesteps US liquor laws