Korean Work Dinners and the Art of Somaek: Soju + Beer = Party Culture 101

A surprised foreign woman holding a somaek glass, with Terra and Chamisul bottles behind her glowing with celebration vibes.

🇰🇷 Let’s Talk About Korean Drinking Culture: It’s Not Just About the Booze

In many countries, having drinks with coworkers is a casual, optional thing. In Korea, it’s a full-on ritual—especially in the workplace. It’s called 회식 (hoesik), which roughly translates to “company dinner,” but it’s so much more than food and drink.

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Work hard, drink harder? That’s kind of the vibe. But also… a deep cultural layer exists beneath the shot glasses and beer mugs.

 

And the star of every Korean hoesik? A magical drink combo called... Somaek.

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🥂 What Is "Somaek"?

Somaek (소맥) is a simple yet powerful blend of two alcohols:

• Soju (소주) – Korea’s national spirit, usually around 16–20% ABV
• Maekju (맥주) – Korean beer (lager-style, crisp and light)

Put them together and boom—you get Somaek.
It's the go-to drink at almost every social event in Korea: company dinners, university parties, birthdays, and farewells.

And it’s not just about drinking—it’s about bonding.

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🧑‍💼 What’s a Korean Hoesik (회식), Anyway?

🔸 It’s Not Just Dinner

In Korea, when someone joins the team, leaves the company, gets promoted, or sometimes just because it’s Friday... the team gathers for hoesik.
It typically involves:

• A restaurant with BBQ, stew, or fried chicken
• A manager or team leader giving a toast
• Round 1 (일차): Dinner and drinks
• Round 2 (이차): Bar or karaoke
• Sometimes Round 3 (삼차): More drinking, ramen, or karaoke encore

Yes, this can go past midnight. And yes, there’s usually pressure to attend.

While younger Koreans are pushing back against forced hoesik culture, it's still deeply ingrained in corporate and school life.

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🍺 The Real Star: Somaek, the King of the Table

At every hoesik, someone always asks:

“Should I make you a somaek?”

It’s a casual but kind of ceremonial moment. There’s even a correct way to do it.

🔧 How to Make Somaek (The Korean Way)

1. Pick your tools:
   A shot glass + a beer glass.
2. Ratio (classic):
   • 1 shot of soju
   • 2–3 parts beer
3. Optional power move:
   Drop the soju shot into the beer like a bomb shot.
   (This is called 폭탄주 Poktanju, meaning “bomb alcohol.”)
4. Stir (or don’t):
   Some like to tap the glass with a spoon to create a fizzy effect. Others just chug it down.

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🤖 Let’s Talk About Tesla… No, Not the Car

In Korea, people have gotten super creative with their somaek nicknames.

🟢 Terra + Chamisul = Tesla (테슬라)

Yes, you read that right.

• Terra is a popular beer brand by HiteJinro
• Chamisul is one of the most famous soju brands

Combine the two, and you get… Tesla. The drink, not the EV.

And guess what? It does give you energy (in a chaotic way).

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💙 Other Popular Combos:

• Terra + Jinro = Taejinah (태진아)
  A play on words with Korean singer Tae Jin-ah.
  This combo is so popular it sparked memes and karaoke references.
• Cass + Chamisul = Classic Combo
  Seen at every convenience store in the country.
• Kloud + Good Day Soju = “Cloud 9”
  A smooth, less alcoholic mix favored by light drinkers.

These combinations are more than alcohol—they’re cultural memes.

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🍻 Korean Alcohol Brands You Should Know

Here’s a quick breakdown of what to order if you want the true experience:

✅ Soju

• Chamisul (참이슬) – Green bottle classic
• Jinro Is Back (진로이즈백) – Retro label, loved by Gen Z
• Good Day (좋은데이) – Fruit flavors and softer taste

✅ Beer

• Terra – Fresh lager, clean finish
• Cass – Korea’s #1 beer by volume
• Kloud – Richer taste, made with German brewing tech

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🗣 How to Order at a Bar or Hoesik

• “소맥 주세요 (Somaek juseyo)” – Please give me somaek
• “참이슬 하나, 테라 하나 주세요” – One Chamisul, one Terra please
• “회식은 소맥이지!” – “You can’t have a hoesik without somaek!”

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🎯 Call to Action

Ready to mix your first Korean somaek?
Try the Tesla combo (Terra + Chamisul) and show us your masterpiece!
📸 Tag your creation with #SomaekChallenge and mention us @FragmentSeoul.
Cheers—or as Koreans say, 건배 (geonbae)! 🥂🇰🇷

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📍 Where to Find These in Korea

• 🛒 Convenience Stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven)
• 🐷 BBQ Restaurants
• 🍺 Local bars (포차, hof, or 주점)
• 📦 Delivery apps like Baemin, Yogiyo, or Coupang

Pro tip: You can also get a somaek set at the airport before flying home.

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🧠 Final Thoughts

Korean drinking culture isn’t just about alcohol—it’s about connection, expression, and sometimes, letting off steam. Whether you're at your first hoesik or simply experimenting at home, Somaek is your golden ticket into Korean social life.

And remember: every good somaek needs balance. Just like Korean culture itself.

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