9 Traditional Korean Drinks

Korean cuisine is full of delicious flavours, and the same goes for their drinks! Much like their food, Korea’s choice of drinks is insanely different from any other country, and you’ll likely find many unusual flavours. From floral teas to nutritious protein shakes, we take a look at some of Koreas traditional drinks.

Omija Tea

Omija translates to five flavours and the omija berry is a combination of different tastes. Omija tea can be enjoyed on its own, but it is often mixed with a sweetener, such as honey. It can also be combined with mung beans or flowers and transformed into a flavoursome punch. Furthermore, the tea supposedly has medicinal properties and can, therefore, help when you are poorly or have a cold.

Chrysanthemum Tea

A favourite among many Koreans, chrysanthemum tea is a very visually appealing drink while also being delicious. To create this tea, dried flowers are soaked in honey for several months and then brewed in hot water. After this process, you are left with a light and slightly sweet tea that is full of flower blossoms! Chrysanthemum tea is most common in the colder months when colds and flu are more common, and the drink can help to make you feel better.

Banana Milk

While it sounds boring, banana milk is one of the most popular drinks in the country, with nearly one million bottles being consumed a day in South Korea! As the name suggests, it is simply milk that is banana flavoured. The reason for its popularity is the addictive sweet and savoury combination.

Bacchus

Similar to Red Bull, Bacchus is an energy drink that can give you that often-needed boost. However, the creators originally intended for it to cure hangovers. Most convenience store in Korea sell these little bottles of energy, perfect for a pick me up and to help you last throughout the day.

Coffee Milk

As its name suggests, this is quite literally milk that is infused with coffee. Packed full of caffeine, coffee milk is a great beverage for some energy to get you through the day.

Misugaru

Misugaru is essentially a protein shake that is both refreshing and full of nutrients. There are numerous variations of misugaru; you can opt for one flavour or combine different ones. Due to its high level of protein, it can also work as a meal replacement; perfect for if you are on the go!

Sikhye

A truly authentic Korean drink, sikhye is so sweet that it is often considered as a dessert. For centuries, this has been served at the end of a meal in Korea, and it consists of cooked rice at the bottom of the drink. The drink is so popular that you can find it in supermarkets around Korea in bottles and cans.

Green Tea

An ultimate classic in Korea, green tea can be enjoyed for an array of different situations. The drink is perfect for a refreshing cold drink, but it can also work on a cold day to warm you up. It doesn’t just stop at beverages though; the flavour of green tea can also be infused into things such as cookies and cakes. Green tea is full of antioxidants; therefore, it is popular with those that are health conscious. Traditional Korean green tea is made from dried leaves rather than powder, making it that bit better.

Yulmu

Both a drink and a meal in one, Yulmu is perfect for a quick fix to fill you up until your next meal. Although it is a tea, there is a significant amount of nutrition in the beverage. The tea is created by using small grains that are called “job’s tears” – the name comes from the grains being also used to make religious jewellery throughout Europe. Often mixed with nuts and seeds, the grains simply need to be added to hot water and you are left with a warm and filling drink to enjoy. The high protein content makes it the perfect drink to start your day as it will give you plenty of energy. We hope you have enjoyed learning the unusual beverages that are enjoyed in Korea. If you are interested in trying some of them or wish to make them yourself, you can find everything you need on our online supermarket that provides Korean food in the UK . For something a bit different, why not take a look at some crazy Korean cocktails to try!