Drinking etiquette

When pouring for someone older or senior, hold the bottle with both hands, and receive a drink by holding your glass with both hands. Many people turn their head slightly away when drinking in front of elders. Traditionally, you do not pour your own glass; people fill each other's.

Turning your head slightly to the side while drinking in front of elders or superiors is a traditional sign of respect. It is not usually done among friends of similar age. Foreigners are rarely expected to follow it strictly, but doing so makes a good impression.

Traditionally in Korea you do not refill your own glass; others pour for you, and keeping an eye on others' empty glasses is considered thoughtful. In casual settings today many people pour their own, so it is not a big deal.

Koreans usually shout "geonbae!" or simply "jjan!" when clinking glasses. At company dinners, one person may give a toast speech and everyone responds with a chant. When clinking with someone senior, hold your glass slightly lower than theirs as a sign of respect.

There is a custom of toasting and emptying the first glass together, so people may encourage a one-shot. If you are not a strong drinker, taking a small sip and setting it down is fine. Forcing others to drink is increasingly discouraged in Korea.

Hoesik is a company dinner where coworkers eat and often drink together after work. It used to stretch into second and third rounds, but the culture is changing, with shorter gatherings or even lunch outings without alcohol. Pressure to attend or drink is increasingly frowned upon.

Icha and samcha mean second and third rounds, when a group moves to a new place after the first meal. A typical night might be dinner, then a bar, then karaoke. If you are tired or not interested, it is fine to thank everyone politely and head home.

Traditionally the senior person or whoever organized the gathering often paid, but splitting the bill, called Dutch pay, is now common. Friends frequently split costs by sending money through apps. If it is unclear, it is best to talk about it beforehand.

When an older person pours for you, hold your glass with both hands. Another common way is to hold it with one hand and support your wrist or the glass with the other. You do not have to drink immediately, but a slight nod of thanks is appreciated.

Soju is usually poured to around 70 or 80 percent of the glass, never overflowing. It is customary to refill someone's glass only after they have finished it. Topping up a glass that still has alcohol in it, called cheomjan, is avoided by some people.

Absolutely. Joining without drinking alcohol is perfectly fine; just toast with a soft drink or water. More people now abstain for religious, health or personal reasons, and respecting that choice is increasingly the norm. Non-alcoholic beer is also available at many places.

Heading to a noraebang, a private karaoke room, is a common second or third round in Korea. Friends and coworkers sing and cheer each other on. If you would rather not sing, clapping along or shaking a tambourine is perfectly good participation.

Yes, Korean drinking sessions sometimes feature a variety of games to liven things up, with the loser usually taking a drink. You can substitute a soft drink if needed. Know your limits and do not feel pressured to drink beyond them.

In Korea, speech levels and etiquette depend on relative age, so people often ask a new acquaintance's age. Drinking manners, like who pours for whom, also relate to age. It may feel personal to visitors, but it is simply a way to understand how to address each other.

Drink water between rounds and eat plenty of food. Leaving a little in your glass helps, since people typically refill only empty glasses. Do not push yourself if you feel unwell, and call 119 in an emergency. Eating before you start drinking also helps.

Do not leave a heavily intoxicated friend alone; help them get home safely. If they are unconscious or breathing abnormally, call 119 immediately. In winter, staying outdoors while drunk carries a risk of hypothermia, so be especially careful. Help them into a taxi with a sober companion if possible.

Under Korean law, the entire indoor area of general restaurants and cafes is a non-smoking zone, as of November 2026. Smoking is allowed only in a separate smoking room or designated smoking area, and violations can result in fines. E-cigarettes are also prohibited in non-smoking areas. Rules can differ by type of venue, so follow the posted signs.

Yes, if you have plans or are tired, you can leave early. It is polite to say goodbye to the group, for example "meonjeo deureoga bogetseumnida" (I will head off first). At company gatherings, saying a separate goodbye to senior colleagues is appreciated.

Most Koreans understand that visitors will not know every drinking custom. Simply using both hands to pour and receive drinks goes a long way toward making a good impression. Above all, show respect for one another and do not drink beyond your limits.

Late at night you can use taxi-hailing apps or night buses. Seoul runs late-night bus routes, and the subway generally runs until around 1 a.m. on weekdays and around midnight on holidays, but last train times differ by station and direction, so check ahead. Never drive after drinking; if you came by car, use a designated driver service.