Korean BBQ and Soju: How to Drink Soju With BBQ (Etiquette + Best Pairings)
If you’re visiting Seoul, there’s a high chance you’ll hear the same advice from locals and travelers over and over:
“Try Korean BBQ!”
But what people don’t always explain is that Korean BBQ isn’t only about the meat — it’s also about the experience. And one of the most iconic parts of that experience is pairing it with soju.
Korean BBQ and soju are basically a cultural duo. The sizzling grill, the shared plates, the endless side dishes, and that first crisp shot of soju with friends — it’s the type of meal that turns into a memory. Still, if you’re new to it, you might wonder: How do you actually drink soju at Korean BBQ? Is there etiquette? What pairs best? What if you don’t want to drink?
This guide breaks it down in a simple, tourist-friendly way — with real Korean BBQ and soju etiquette, the best soju + meat pairings, and tips to enjoy it without feeling awkward.
Read our other guides :
➣ The Ultimate Guide to Korean BBQ in Seoul
➣ What Is Myeongdong Known For? A First-Time Visitor’s Guide
➣ Korean BBQ for First-Timers: How to Enjoy Mongvely Like a Local in Myeongdong
Why Korean BBQ and Soju Are Always Together
In Korea, Korean BBQ is rarely a “quick dinner.” It’s social. It’s interactive. Everyone grills, shares, wraps meat in lettuce, and keeps the table full. Soju naturally fits into that atmosphere because it’s meant to be shared too — poured for others, clinked together, and enjoyed slowly across the meal.
There’s also a practical reason people love the pairing: Korean BBQ has rich, fatty cuts (like pork belly), and soju has a clean, sharp finish that feels refreshing after each bite.
If you want a deeper beginner-friendly explanation of the full BBQ experience, you can also check:
➣ The Ultimate Guide to Korean BBQ in Seoul
What Is Soju? (Quick Beginner Explanation)
Soju is Korea’s most well-known distilled spirit. It’s usually clear, served cold, and often comes in a small green bottle. Traditional soju was made from rice, but many modern brands use different starch bases and are typically lower proof than classic spirits.
Taste-wise, it’s smooth and lightly sweet, but still strong enough that you’ll feel it if you drink it quickly.
If you’re trying soju for the first time, a Korean BBQ restaurant is honestly one of the best places to do it — because the food makes it easier to drink.
Soju Etiquette at Korean BBQ (Simple Rules That Matter)
You don’t need to be perfect. Koreans don’t expect tourists to memorize every rule. But knowing the basics makes the experience smoother and more respectful — especially if you’re eating with Koreans, or if you want to look like you know what you’re doing.
1) Don’t pour your own soju (if you’re with others)
In Korean drinking culture, you usually pour for other people, and they pour for you. It’s a small gesture of care and respect.
If you’re alone or just with close friends, people loosen up. But if you’re at a shared table, pouring for others is the polite move.
2) Hold the bottle with two hands (for a formal vibe)
If you’re drinking with someone older, or you want to be extra polite, hold the bottle with two hands when pouring. One hand holds the bottle, the other supports your wrist or forearm.
You’ll see this a lot in Korea — it’s subtle, but meaningful.
3) Accept a drink with two hands
Same idea. If someone pours you a shot, receiving it with two hands is a respectful habit.
4) Small “cheers” culture matters
At Korean BBQ, you’ll probably hear:
“건배!” (geonbae) = cheers
“짠!” (jjan) = clink / cheers sound
You don’t need to say anything fancy — just clink gently, smile, and sip.
5) Pace yourself: Korean BBQ is long
Korean BBQ meals can last a while. If you take shots too fast at the beginning, you’ll burn out early.
A good pace is:
small sip → bite of meat → water → repeat.
How to Drink Soju With Korean BBQ (Step-by-Step)
If you’re doing the classic Korean BBQ + soju vibe, here’s a simple way to enjoy it properly.
Step 1: Start with the grill first
Don’t take shots before food arrives. Let the meat hit the grill first, because you’re going to want something warm and savory immediately.
If you’re unfamiliar with grilling, this guide helps: What to Expect at an All-You-Can-Eat Korean BBQ in Seoul
Step 2: Take a small sip, not a giant shot
Yes, people do shots in Korea — but you don’t have to.
A lot of Koreans drink it like this:
small sip, then food.
It’s smoother and more enjoyable, especially for beginners.
Step 3: Match your sip with the right bite
The key to loving soju is eating the right bite right after.
The perfect sequence:
soju sip → grilled meat → little dip of salt/sesame oil → ssam wrap.
If you need a full breakdown of ssam culture and how to build a wrap, link to: The Ssam Culture of Korea: A Complete Guide to the Art of Wrapping Korean BBQ
Best Korean BBQ and Soju Pairings (Meat + Soju Guide)
Let’s be real: soju tastes better when you pair it with the right meat.
1) Pork belly (Samgyupsal) + Classic soju
This is the most iconic combination in Korea.
Why it works: Samgyupsal is fatty, juicy, and rich — and soju cuts through it cleanly.
Best bite combo:
grilled pork belly
dipped in salt + sesame oil
wrapped in lettuce with garlic and ssamjang
2) Woosamgyeop (Thin-sliced Beef Belly) + Classic soju (small sips)
Woosamgyeop cooks fast and has a thinner, buttery bite.
Why it works: The texture is rich but not heavy, so soju pairs well when you sip instead of shoot.
If you love brisket-style BBQ, link to: What Is Woosamgyeop? A Simple Guide to Korea’s Thin-Sliced Beef Belly
3) Gopchang / Intestines + Soju (expert level)
Intestines and soju are a serious pairing in Korea — especially with late-night meals.
Why it works: Gopchang has an intense, savory flavor. Soju acts like a reset button between bites.
If you’re curious about this side of Korean BBQ, you can link to: What Is Gopchang? The Ultimate Guide to a Hidden Gem in Korean BBQ
What to Eat With Soju Besides Meat (The Side Dish Trick)
Soju doesn’t pair only with meat — it pairs with Korean BBQ sides too, and knowing which ones work makes your night 10x better.
Garlic + grilled kimchi
These are classic bites between sips. They’re strong and salty, so they balance soju well.
Cold noodles (Naengmyeon / Bibim naengmyeon)
This is a perfect “reset” food mid-meal. Cold noodles cool down your mouth and keep you from feeling too heavy.
➣ READ ALSO : What Is Naengmyeon? A First-Timer’s Guide to Korea’s Most Refreshing Noodles
Doenjang jjigae (soybean stew)
Warm, comforting, and salty enough to pair with drinks. If you start feeling your soju too much, stew helps.
Pro Tips for Tourists: Korean BBQ + Soju Without Regrets
1) Eat first, then drink
Soju hits harder on an empty stomach. Always start with meat.
2) Water isn’t “uncool”
Drink water between rounds. Your future self will thank you.
3) Don’t mix too much
If you’re new, keep it simple:
soju + water + BBQ
Avoid stacking multiple drinks unless you know your limits.
The “Perfect Korean BBQ + Soju Night” Itinerary (Myeongdong Version)
If you want to live the classic Seoul evening in one plan:
Shop in Myeongdong (late afternoon)
Grab Korean BBQ dinner (early evening)
Soju + BBQ pairing (take it slow)
Cold noodles to finish
Walk around Myeongdong for a post-meal stroll
It’s simple, but it feels like the version of Seoul people imagine when they book their trip.
Final Thoughts: Korean BBQ and Soju Is More Than a Meal
If you want to understand Korean food culture quickly, Korean BBQ and soju are one of the fastest ways. It’s not about “getting drunk.” It’s about the ritual: pouring for each other, cooking together, eating slowly, laughing, and letting the meal stretch into the night.
You don’t need to drink perfectly. You don’t need to drink at all. But if you try it once in Seoul, you’ll understand why people say:
Korean BBQ isn’t just dinner — it’s a whole experience.
If you’re visiting Myeongdong, it’s also one of the easiest places to start your Korean BBQ journey because everything is accessible, walkable, and full of energy.
And if you’re building your Korea food bucket list, make sure this combo is on it.
Visit Us Now!
Mongvely Main Branch
Address: Myeongdong 8na-gil 9 3rd Floor
Opening Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Mongvely 2nd Branch
Address: Myeongdong 3-gil 44 2nd Floor
Opening Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Follow us on Instagram: @kbbqmongvely
