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10 Ways to Enjoy Soju

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10 Ways to Enjoy Soju

For all visual demonstrations of the following list, watch the video above :)

  1. Take a LOVE SHOT with your crush! Actually you can share this fun and flirty moment with anyone: your significant other, friends, momma, poppa, etc.
     
  2. Enjoy a pitcher of YOGURT SOJU! As a kid, my friends and I liked to drink the Asian yogurt drinks. Now yogurt drinks grew up and married soju. It's a popular beverage sold in Korea and Koreatown LA.
     
  3. Take a ride on the SEOUL TRAIN! The more friends, the better. Line up a glass of half-filled beer, then place a line of shot glasses of soju on top. Knock one side of the soju line and the rest tumble like dominoes! Check out the epically long Seoul Train in Psy's "Hangover" video at 42 seconds in.
     
  4. Get fruity with WATERMELON SOJU! It's a refreshing treat for the hot summer days and a great tropical vacation in the mouth during chilly winter months.
     
  5. Or you can just drink your soju VIRGIN! Bring your bottle of soju to enjoy by the Han River. Maybe drink it on your hike at Bukhansan Mountain (which Yoonah and I did in this KWOW episode).
     
  6. Shake your soju bottle to create a TORNADO! Not up and down, but shake in rotated circles. Then stop upright. Some say soju tornadoes soften the flavor, but no one really knows why Koreans love to shake it. It sure can be a great arm exercise!
     
  7. Play some drinking games, like FLICK THE SOJU CAP! After popping open your bottle, don't toss the cap. There will be a metal strip dangling. Take turns flicking it with your buddies. Whoever flicks the metal off is the winner! Either the people sitting right and left of them drink, or just everyone. Watch the demo in the video above.
     
  8. Another game with the cap: GUESS THE NUMBER. Many soju caps have a number written inside. Whoever guesses the correct number chooses who will drink the next shot of soju.
     
  9. Drink your soju with ANJU! Anju are foods that accompany alcohol. Every type of alcohol has their own dedicated set of anju. Pork belly is eaten with soju, while fried chicken is eaten with beer.
     
  10. After the party, CLEAN WITH SOJU! Some Korean BBQ restaurants replace the top of soju bottles with a spray and use the alcohol to wipe tables. True story.


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28 Photos Around Gyeongbokgung Palace

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28 Photos Around Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace in front of the Bukhansan Mountain.

Gyeongbokgung Palace in front of the Bukhansan Mountain.

Changing of the Guards Ceremony held daily for visitors.

Changing of the Guards Ceremony held daily for visitors.

Rooftop of Geunjeongjeon, the Throne Hall where the king oversaw events and greeted officials.

Rooftop of Geunjeongjeon, the Throne Hall where the king oversaw events and greeted officials.

Doorway to Taewonjeon Shrine, which accommodates the portrait of King Taejo.

Doorway to Taewonjeon Shrine, which accommodates the portrait of King Taejo.

Child playing camel with her mother near the palace entrance.

Child playing camel with her mother near the palace entrance.

Full view of the Geunjeongjeon Throne Hall.

Full view of the Geunjeongjeon Throne Hall.

On the west of the Throne Hall.

On the west of the Throne Hall.

A lonely shot of the Geunjeongjeon Throne Hall during its closing hour.

A lonely shot of the Geunjeongjeon Throne Hall during its closing hour.

Looking towards Geunjeongmun, the third inner gate.

Looking towards Geunjeongmun, the third inner gate.

Pond of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion with Bukhansan Mountain.

Pond of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion with Bukhansan Mountain.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in winter.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in winter.

Frozen pond in front of the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion.

Frozen pond in front of the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion.

The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion towards the end of winter.

The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion towards the end of winter.

Standing in the middle arch of Gwanghwamun where the king once walked, looking towards the first inner gate Heungnyemun.

Standing in the middle arch of Gwanghwamun where the king once walked, looking towards the first inner gate Heungnyemun.

The National Folk Museum of Korea in the distance. It houses nearly 100,000 artifacts from the traditional Korean lifestyle.

The National Folk Museum of Korea in the distance. It houses nearly 100,000 artifacts from the traditional Korean lifestyle.

The National Folk Museum of Korea with the Hyangwonjeong Pond.

The National Folk Museum of Korea with the Hyangwonjeong Pond.

The two-story Hyangwonjeong Pavilion sits on a man-made island.

The two-story Hyangwonjeong Pavilion sits on a man-made island.

Jangandang, where King Gojong used to reside.

Jangandang, where King Gojong used to reside.

Walking through the Geunjeong Gate towards Heungnyemun.

Walking through the Geunjeong Gate towards Heungnyemun.

The traditional and modern architecture mash-up. From the raised platform of the Throne Hall looking south, you'll see the tall buildings lined up next to Gwanghwamun Plaza.

The traditional and modern architecture mash-up. From the raised platform of the Throne Hall looking south, you'll see the tall buildings lined up next to Gwanghwamun Plaza.

Statue of King Sejong, the fourth ruler of the Joseon Dynasty famed for his contribution in creating the Korean language.

Statue of King Sejong, the fourth ruler of the Joseon Dynasty famed for his contribution in creating the Korean language.

The very happy man acting as a royal guard. Feel free to stare at him all day. Just don't touch him.

The very happy man acting as a royal guard. Feel free to stare at him all day. Just don't touch him.

The lion-unicorn, known as "haitai," sits in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace to protect the city from natural disasters.

The lion-unicorn, known as "haitai," sits in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace to protect the city from natural disasters.

The statue of the legendary Admiral Yi Sun-Sin, who never lost a naval battle in his life. In the Battle of Myeongnyang, his ships were outnumbered 13 to 133. Who won? Yi Sun-Sin.

The statue of the legendary Admiral Yi Sun-Sin, who never lost a naval battle in his life. In the Battle of Myeongnyang, his ships were outnumbered 13 to 133. Who won? Yi Sun-Sin.

Two women walking and talking. Not the first time seeing people carry boxes on their head.

Two women walking and talking. Not the first time seeing people carry boxes on their head.

Street food sold on a triangular island surrounded by roads. Target customers: pedestrians on the way or from Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Street food sold on a triangular island surrounded by roads. Target customers: pedestrians on the way or from Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Chestnuts: one of the healthiest winter street foods. That and sweet potatoes.

Chestnuts: one of the healthiest winter street foods. That and sweet potatoes.

Bandaged tree with crutches. During winter trees are wrapped to prevent being frostbitten.

Bandaged tree with crutches. During winter trees are wrapped to prevent being frostbitten.



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31 Street Foods in Korea

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31 Street Foods in Korea

1. Stir-fried Ricecakes - 떡볶이 (tteokbokki)

1. Stir-fried Ricecakes - 떡볶이 (tteokbokki)

2. Blood Sausage - 순대 (soondae)

2. Blood Sausage - 순대 (soondae)

3. Korean Carp Bread - bungeoppang (붕어빵)

3. Korean Carp Bread - bungeoppang (붕어빵)

4. Kimbap - 김밥

4. Kimbap - 김밥

5. Fried Kimbap - 김밥 튀김 (kimbap twigim)

5. Fried Kimbap - 김밥 튀김 (kimbap twigim)

6. Long-coned Ice Cream. Enjoy even during chilly winter days!

6. Long-coned Ice Cream. Enjoy even during chilly winter days!

6b. Ice Cream Saxophone

6b. Ice Cream Saxophone

7. Chicken skewers - 닭꼬치 (dakkotchi)

7. Chicken skewers - 닭꼬치 (dakkotchi)

8. Steamed Silkworm Larvae - 번데기 (beondegi)

8. Steamed Silkworm Larvae - 번데기 (beondegi)

9. Old-Fashioned Sugar Candy - 뽑기 (ppopgi)

9. Old-Fashioned Sugar Candy - 뽑기 (ppopgi)

9b. Woman waiting for customers at her ppopgi stand.

9b. Woman waiting for customers at her ppopgi stand.

10. Dragon’s beard candy - 꿀타래 (kkultarae)

10. Dragon’s beard candy - 꿀타래 (kkultarae)

11. Fishcake-wrapped Sausage

11. Fishcake-wrapped Sausage

12. Bacon-wrapped sausage

12. Bacon-wrapped sausage

13. French Fry Corndog

13. French Fry Corndog

14. Egg Bread - 계란빵 (gyeran bbang)

14. Egg Bread - 계란빵 (gyeran bbang)

14b. Before the egg bread gets baked. Yolk swimming on the surface.

14b. Before the egg bread gets baked. Yolk swimming on the surface.

15. Walnut Dessert - 호두과자 (hodoo gwaja)

15. Walnut Dessert - 호두과자 (hodoo gwaja)

16. Cotton Candy - 솜사탕 (somsatang)

16. Cotton Candy - 솜사탕 (somsatang)

17. Fruit (i.e. strawberries) - 과일 (gwail)

17. Fruit (i.e. strawberries) - 과일 (gwail)

18. Fresh Pomegranate Juice - 석류 주스 (sungryu juseu)

18. Fresh Pomegranate Juice - 석류 주스 (sungryu juseu)

19. Meat Unlimited

19. Meat Unlimited

20. Korean-style Tacos - 타코 (taco)

20. Korean-style Tacos - 타코 (taco)

21. Eomuk (어묵) - aka: odeng

21. Eomuk (어묵) - aka: odeng

22. Sweet Potatoes - 고구마 (goguma)

22. Sweet Potatoes - 고구마 (goguma)

23. Smiley Face Fries - 스마일 감자 (seumail gamja)

23. Smiley Face Fries - 스마일 감자 (seumail gamja)

24. Dumplings - 만두 (mandoo)

24. Dumplings - 만두 (mandoo)

25. Sweet Korean Pancake - 호떡 (hotteok)

25. Sweet Korean Pancake - 호떡 (hotteok)

26. Twister Potatoes - 회오리감자 (hwaeori gamja)

26. Twister Potatoes - 회오리감자 (hwaeori gamja)

27. Corn - 옥수수 (oksusu)

27. Corn - 옥수수 (oksusu)

28. Dried Seafood (Squid & Octopus) - 건어물 (geoneomul)

28. Dried Seafood (Squid & Octopus) - 건어물 (geoneomul)

29. Gingko - 은행 (eunhaeng)

29. Gingko - 은행 (eunhaeng)

30. Chestnut - 밤 (bahm)

30. Chestnut - 밤 (bahm)

31. Traditional Korean Cookies

31. Traditional Korean Cookies

For the walking tour of the street foods in Myeongdong, watch KWOW episode 142.



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