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If you’ve spent a night out in Korea, watched a K-drama, or seen a table filled with green soju bottles and Korean beer, you may have noticed people mixing the two drinks together.
That drink is called somaek (소맥).
At its simplest:
Somaek is a Korean mixed drink made with soju and beer.
The name comes from the two ingredients: so from soju (소주) and maek from maekju (맥주), the Korean word for beer.
But somaek is more than just a two-ingredient cocktail. It’s closely associated with the social side of drinking in Korea — sharing drinks around the table, making toasts, experimenting with ratios, and sometimes turning the mixing process into entertainment of its own.
Korea.net describes somaek as a beer-and-soju cocktail commonly associated with Korean drinking gatherings and hoesik, or workplace dinners.
In this guide, you’ll learn what somaek is, what the name means, how to make it, the popular soju-to-beer ratio, how strong it can be, how it tastes, and how Koreans drink it.
Table of contents
01 Quick answer: what is somaek?
02 What does somaek mean?
03 What is in somaek?
04 How to make somaek
05 What is the best somaek ratio?
06 How strong is somaek?
07 What does somaek taste like?
08 Does it matter whether you pour soju or beer first?
09 How do Koreans mix somaek?
10 Is somaek the same as a soju bomb?
11 Why is somaek popular in Korea?
12 Is somaek a traditional Korean drink?
13 How do you drink somaek?
14 What food goes well with somaek?
15 Somaek vs. chimaek: what's the difference?
16 Somaek and Korean drinking etiquette
17 Want to learn how to drink soju?
18 How somaek fits into Korean drinking culture
19 Do people drink somaek while playing Korean drinking games?
20 Common somaek mistakes
21 Somaek FAQ
22 Try Korean drinking culture in Seoul
23 Final thoughts
Quick Answer: What Is Somaek?
Somaek is a Korean drink made by mixing soju with beer.
The name combines:
One commonly cited ratio is 3 parts soju to 7 parts beer. Korea.net describes 3:7 as a popular hwanggeum biyul or “golden ratio”: although different people and groups make somaek differently. VISITKOREA likewise notes that both ratios and mixing methods vary.
practical tip
Treat 3:7 as a starting point, not a rule. If it’s your first somaek, starting with less soju makes it easier to adjust the next glass.
What Does Somaek Mean?
The word somaek (소맥) is a shortened combination of the names of its two ingredients.
So (소) comes from soju — 소주.
Maek (맥) comes from maekju — 맥주, meaning beer.
So:
so + maek = somaek.
This also explains another Korean nightlife word you may encounter:
chimaek (치맥).
Chi comes from chicken, while maek again comes from maekju.
The difference is simple:
What Is in Somaek?
You only need two ingredients:
That’s it.
There is no need for juice, syrup, bitters, fruit, or cocktail equipment.
Somaek is usually mixed directly at the table, and its simplicity is a big part of the appeal.
VISITKOREA describes somaek as a mixture of beer and soju and notes that its taste can change depending on both the ratio and the person making it.
How to Make Somaek
A basic somaek recipe is extremely simple.
1
Step 1: Choose a glass
A standard beer glass works well.
2
Step 2: Add soju
For a commonly cited starting point, use roughly 30% soju.
3
Step 3: Add beer
Fill the remaining 70% with beer.
4
Step 4: Mix
You can give the drink a gentle stir or swirl. You may also see more elaborate mixing techniques at Korean drinking tables, but they’re optional.
5
Step 5: Make a toast
A common Korean toast is: 건배 — geonbae — “Cheers!” Then drink at your own pace.
Korea.net identifies 3:7 soju to beer as a commonly used ratio, while VISITKOREA notes there are many different ways to make and mix somaek.
What Is the Best Somaek Ratio?
There is no single perfect ratio for everyone.
But one combination appears frequently:
The 3:7 Somaek Ratio
Korea.net describes this as the commonly cited golden ratio, or hwanggeum biyul (황금비율).
That doesn’t mean every Korean measures a glass this way.
Some people prefer much less soju.
Others prefer a stronger mix.
Want a lighter somaek?
Use less soju and more beer.
Want a stronger somaek?
Increase the proportion of soju.
Don’t worry about measuring a perfect 3:7 every time. The point is to find a ratio you actually enjoy.
How Strong Is Somaek?
There is no single alcohol percentage for somaek.
Its final strength depends on:
For example, if someone mixes:
That’s only an example: different brands and ratios will give different results.
The useful rule is:
Somaek will normally be stronger than the beer used to make it, but weaker than the soju.
Because the beer adds carbonation and volume, somaek can taste relatively easy to drink even when its alcohol content is noticeably higher than normal beer.
Smooth doesn’t necessarily mean weak. Pace yourself, especially if someone else is making the ratio.
What Does Somaek Taste Like?
Somaek combines the characteristics of both drinks.
VISITKOREA describes somaek as combining the fizzy qualities of beer with the alcoholic bite of soju and notes that the flavor changes with the ratio.
A lighter ratio tends to taste more like beer.
Adding more soju makes the alcohol noticeably more prominent.
For some people, mixing the two also makes straight soju feel easier to drink.
Does It Matter Whether You Pour Soju or Beer First?
You’ll encounter different methods.
Korea.net describes a classic bomb-style preparation where beer is put into the glass and a shot glass of soju is then dropped into it.
But you don’t need to make somaek as a bomb shot.
For a simple everyday version, you can pour the drinks directly into the same glass.
A straightforward method is:
The exact order matters much less than the ratio and your personal preference.
How Do Koreans Mix Somaek?
This is where somaek can become more entertaining.
The simplest option is just to stir the drink.
But you may also see people use:
VISITKOREA describes a method where one chopstick is placed in the drink and struck with another chopstick, creating vibrations that mix the soju and beer.
These tricks can be fun, but they are not required.
You don’t need a special mixing technique to make authentic somaek.
If someone at the table knows a mixing trick, watch first. Trying to recreate a dramatic technique you’ve only seen online is optional — ordinary stirring works.
Is Somaek the Same as a Soju Bomb?
They’re closely related, but the terms don’t always mean exactly the same thing.
Somaek broadly means: soju mixed with beer.
A soju bomb usually refers to a more specific serving technique where a shot of soju is dropped into beer.
Korea.net connects somaek with the Korean term poktanju
(폭탄주), meaning “bomb shot,” and describes the shot-glass-dropping method.
But modern somaek does not have to involve dropping one glass into another.
So for visitors, the easiest distinction is:
Why Is Somaek Popular in Korea?
Part of its popularity comes from simplicity.
Soju and beer are both widely available, and combining them creates a drink that can easily be made stronger or lighter depending on the group.
But somaek is also closely tied to social drinking.
Korea.net associates it with drinking gatherings, group toasts, and hoesik, Korean workplace dinners.
That social aspect is important.
Unlike a cocktail that arrives pre-mixed from behind a bar, somaek is often made at the table.
It is one of Korea’s best-known mixed drinks.
There is no single universal ratio.
Different people prefer different strengths and mixing styles.
VisitKorea notes that the flavor changes depending on the beer-to-soju ratio and describes different methods for mixing the drink.
And sometimes the process of making it becomes part of the entertainment.
Is Somaek a Traditional Korean Drink?
It’s better described as a modern Korean drinking custom than an ancient traditional liquor.
Korea has a long history of alcoholic drinks, including traditional varieties of soju and other Korean liquors.
But somaek specifically involves combining modern beer with soju.
So avoid thinking of it as:
How Do You Drink Somaek?
Somaek is often enjoyed socially with a group.
Before drinking, you may hear:
Korea.net notes that somaek is associated with group toasts and also mentions wonsyat — “one shot” — while emphasizing that alcohol consumption should depend on individual tolerance.
And this is important:
You do not have to finish your somaek in one shot.
How Does Soju Fit Into Korean Drinking Culture?
You can:
Knowing a drinking custom doesn’t mean you have to match someone else’s pace.
What Food Goes Well With Somaek?
Korean drinking often involves food alongside alcohol.
Food served with drinks is broadly known as: anju (안주).
VISITKOREA specifically pairs somaek with stir-fried sundae in its guide to Korean drinks and food combinations.
More broadly, somaek also works naturally with rich, salty, grilled, fried, or spicy foods such as:
The important idea is that Korean drinking culture often treats food and alcohol as part of the same social table, rather than completely separate experiences.
Somaek vs. Chimaek: What's the Difference?
These two Korean nightlife words look similar but mean very different things.
So remember:
Somaek and Korean Drinking Etiquette
Making somaek doesn’t cancel the normal social rules of a Korean drinking table.
In a more formal situation, particularly around an older or more senior person, customs may include:
For the full guide, read:
Want to Learn How to Drink Soju?
If somaek is your introduction to soju, you may first want to understand the drink itself.
Our step-by-step guide explains:
How Somaek Fits Into Korean Drinking Culture
Somaek is only one part of the broader Korean drinking experience.
A Korean night out might also include:
For the bigger picture, read:
Do People Drink Somaek While Playing Korean Drinking Games?
They can.
Drinking games are a separate part of Korean social culture, and the drink on the table might be soju, beer, somaek, something non-alcoholic, or something else entirely.
Popular games include:
APT, 3-6-9, Soju Bottle Cap, Titanic, Nunchi, and Baskin Robbins 31.
If you want to learn the games rather than the drink, read:
Common Somaek Mistakes
Thinking 3:7 Is the Only Correct Ratio
It isn’t.
It’s a popular starting point, not a mandatory recipe.
Making the First Glass Too Strong
If you’ve never tried somaek, starting lighter is usually easier.
You can always increase the amount of soju later.
Thinking You Need a Special Mixing Trick
You don’t.
Chopstick and spoon tricks are part of the fun, but normal mixing works too.
Assuming Somaek Is Weak Because It Tastes Smooth
The final ABV depends on the beer, soju, and ratio.
A drink can taste easy while still containing significantly more alcohol than beer alone.
Treating Somaek as a Drinking Challenge
You don’t have to finish your glass quickly.
Make somaek to taste good to you, not to prove how strong a drink you can handle.
Somaek FAQ
What is somaek?
Somaek is a Korean mixed drink made by combining soju and beer.
Its name comes from soju and maekju, the Korean word for beer.
What does somaek mean?
So comes from soju.
Maek comes from maekju.
Together they form: somaek — 소맥.
What is the best somaek ratio?
A commonly cited ratio is: 3 parts soju to 7 parts beer.
Korea.net describes this as a popular “golden ratio,” although preferences vary.
How do you make somaek?
Combine soju and beer in one glass and mix.
You can use a simple stir or one of the more playful table-side mixing methods.
What does somaek taste like?
It combines the carbonation and bitterness of beer with the stronger alcoholic character of soju.
The exact taste changes significantly with the ratio.
What does geonbae mean?
Geonbae (건배) means “cheers.”
It is commonly used before drinking together.
How strong is somaek?
It depends on the soju, beer, and ratio.
A 3:7 mixture made with 16% soju and 4.5% beer would be approximately 7.95% ABV.
Different products produce different results.
Is somaek stronger than beer?
Usually yes, because adding soju raises the alcohol concentration above that of the beer alone.
Is somaek the same as a soju bomb?
Not exactly.
Somaek broadly means soju mixed with beer, while a soju bomb usually describes the method of dropping a shot glass of soju into beer.
Do you have to drink somaek in one shot?
No.
You can drink at your own pace.
Is somaek traditional Korean alcohol?
Somaek is better described as a modern Korean mixed drink.
Traditional Korean alcohol has a much longer history than the specific practice of mixing modern soju and beer.
Is somaek the same as chimaek?
No.
Somaek = soju + beer.
Chimaek = fried chicken + beer.
Try Korean Drinking Culture in Seoul
Reading about somaek can explain the ingredients.
But seeing how drinks, food, etiquette, and games come together around the same table gives you a much better sense of Korean drinking culture.
During our Korean Drinking Games Night in Seoul, travelers can learn Korean games, discover local drinking customs, meet people from around the world, and experience the social side of a Korean night out.
You don’t need to drink alcohol to take part.
Experience a Korean Night Out
Join the Korean Drinking Games Night →Final Thoughts
So, what is somaek?
The simplest answer is:
A 3:7 soju-to-beer ratio is one popular starting point, but it isn’t a strict recipe.
That’s part of the appeal.
Soju + beer = somaek.
Somaek is less about perfect cocktail measurements and more about the shared drinking table.
If you’re trying it for the first time, start light, drink at your own pace, and enjoy the social side of the experience.
