Soju: The World’s Best-Selling Spirit and the Icon of Korean Drinking Culture
Among all Korean alcoholic beverages, soju stands at the very top—both in cultural significance and global sales. For over two decades, soju has ranked as the world’s best-selling spirit , surpassing vodka, whiskey, and tequila by volume. But what makes this clear, gentle-looking liquor so deeply loved by Koreans and increasingly popular around the world? In today’s post—Day 3 of our 14-day Korean drinking culture series—we will explore the world of soju as the essential middle-hub guide for all upcoming soju-pairing anju posts. Whether you’re new to Korean food or already familiar with the iconic green bottle seen in K-dramas, this guide will help you understand its history, varieties, drinking etiquette, tasting notes, and pairing principles that connect directly to the categories we will publish in the next days. Tomorrow’s Day 4 post will introduce makgeolli , the milky and naturally fermented rice wine that contrasts beautifully with soju. And starting Day 5, we will dive ...