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Korean food
Level 4
Somaek
Every country has their own drinking culture, with their own alcohol and distilling methods. Despite the differences, they all have some similarities, such as mixing different alcohols together. In Korea, the majority of people enjoy somaek, a mixed drink of soju and maekju, the Korean word for beer. Knowing how to mix somaek will definitely make you an Inssa in the eyes of Koreans!
HOW TO
Somaek is made using the perfect ratio between soju and beer. You can use any brand of soju and beer, but you’ll need at least one bottle of each. While you can make it with tap beer or craft beer, it tastes best with bottled beer.
You’ll need two soju glasses and one beer glass. Stack the two soju glasses on top of each other. Fill the one on top with soju, being sure to not fill beyond the point where the two glasses overlap, and then pour the soju into the beer glass.
At this point, you’re ready to add in your beer. This is where you can personalize your drink. While a ratio of 3:7, soju to beer is considered the golden ratio, you can mix the two to your taste and drinking ability. If you want to be a true inssa, fill your glass only half full so you can down it in one go!
Simply pouring the two alcohols together will not mix them thoroughly. If you want the best somaek experience, you’ll need to finish the job with a jab! Hold a single chopstick down over your beer and stab it straight down into the middle of the glass. You’ll know you’ve done a good job when bubbles rise up from the bottom and a nice head of foam appears. If you don’t have a chopstick, you can always use the handle of a spoon or some other utensil to mix it!