An evening out in Seoul can seem like five nights in one. That may be because the greatest drinking city on the planet performs its nights on a five-round program. Jumping from one location to the next, frequently till dawn, a high alcohol tolerance and won’t- stop perspective are basically required if you’re partying in Seoul.
At the root of Korea’s formidable drinking culture is the desire to get in touch with good friends as well as colleagues and loosen up after a long day. I believe Hooni Kim, the proprietor of NYC’s Danji, states it finest in his new recipe book: Discussing the significance of hanjan (or having a beverage), he creates, “It is the start of a night of laughter as well as heartfelt discussions with good friends, sharing in happiness, cooperating heartache.”
The high incidence of all-nighters in Seoul might also issue of the metros shutting at midnight. As opposed to shell out for a taxi, individuals stick around for one more cha (or round). The best means to kill time before the trains launch? Vocal singing your face off in a noraebang (a personal karaoke space).
Though karaoke was created by the Japanese, a lot of Koreans would suggest they “do it better”– and also with a belly full of pork, a bottle of soju on the table, and also your song turning up next off, there’s very little point in saying. Clubs and noraebangs in Seoul are currently closed, but presuming you’ll want to blow off some heavy steam when traveling opens as well as every little thing stops sucking, Korea will certainly be there to state gunbae (cheers!). Right here’s exactly how to carry out a legendary evening out in Seoul. 풀싸롱
The first cha (or round) typically kicks off around 7pm with dinner. Korean bbq is the relocation right here. You want your tummy well-coated with oily samgyeopsal (pork stomach) to assist you last through all 5 rounds. Try Gold Pig, which offers flaky Maldon salt flakes to dip your meats in, or Mong Tan where they smoke their pork ribs over hay for a whole different taste experience.
A container of soju is an offered: You’ll see the ubiquitous eco-friendly bottles of soju giants like Jinro or Friend Churum. However better craft alcohol brands like Tokki Soju are additionally prominent– the shots drop much easier, and hangovers are a little bit much more workable.
Also on the table: A bottle of beer to make somaek (a mix of soju and also beer, typically to make soju bombs). If you remain in it to win it for all 5 rounds, skip the bombs as well as choose some lower ABV makgeolli (rice beer).
Some fundamental soju rules: See a vacant glass? Fill ‘er up! Constantly pour with two hands– and hold your mug with 2 hands when you accept soju. If for some reason you’re too sidetracked (talking to your next-door neighbor, for instance) to pick it up, touching your glass is a respectful alternative to the two-hands guideline. As well as when everybody goes in for a team gunbae (cheers), chink your glass less than those older than you.
With a tummy loaded with pork as well as a light buzz on, we’re off to the following cha!
Pinkies up for an upscale ee-cha! The all-natural wine and also cocktail bar scene in Korea has actually taken off in the past few years, but be advised, it is not low-cost.
Speakeasies are big right here, particularly with the millennial crowd. After Le Chamber opened in 2014, crowds of speakeasy copycats followed suit. Also the 4 Seasons Seoul chose to take part, opening Charles H in 2015. To prevent jump, try the Gyeongbokgung neighborhood– there’s a collection of speakeasy-style bars hidden away from the primary road outside exit 7. This area is likewise a must-visit for conventional hanok-style bars like The Cobbler or Tender Bar. Simply be prepared to spend $20 a drink, potentially also a cover charge.
Alternatively, the all-natural wine scene has actually chased the initial all-natural wine bar, Big Lights, opened in 2017. Koreans love it, and also if you’re keen to jump from one natural red wine bar to the following, the Hannamdong location has you covered.
Round three should drop around 10pm. Remain on the elegant mixed drink course if it really feels right– lots of Seoulites will certainly stay with one community and/or one “motif,” whether it’s jumping from white wine bar to a glass of wine bar, or pocha to pocha (which are informal drinking areas, generally tented on the street).
However it might be time to allow your pocketbook cool off with some affordable eats and draft beer. Pub-style bar hopping is ideal experienced at the stylish “newtro” (Oriental jargon combining brand-new as well as retro) area of Euljiro.
Right here, dynamic Nogari Street is the area to be. You’ll locate groups of trainees, grandparents, and every age in between outside embracing this street-style version of Oriental nightlife. Seek Eulji OB Bear, the initial hof (a hard-to-translate word synonymous with pubs as well as draft beer) developed in Korea in 1980, or the impossible-to-miss Manseon Hof, where bright red and blue plastic chairs trash the alley.
Crisp draft beers as well as anju (drinking food) typically consisting of nogari (dried pollack) are must-order items below, all for less than $5. Include a couple of containers of soju for good measure– obtaining great and tipsy is what this round’s everything about, as are consuming alcohol video games like “Titanic” (where you try not to sink a soju glass into a pint of beer by gathering a little bit each time).
Traveling solo? Seeking some love? Seek out a “searching pocha,” where individuals go to get paired up for a group arranged date. Popular with university student, hunting bars like Samgeori Pocha are commonly situated around universities. The concept is to satisfy in a more wholesome setting as opposed to a rowdy club– although typically, that’s specifically where you’re going next with your new-found buddies.
When the clock strikes midnight, it’s time to hit the clubs. The best place for an immigrant to go clubbing in Seoul would certainly be at Itaewon hotspots like Cakeshop as well as Soap. Just behind Hamilton Hotel, you’ll locate a rowdy scene with plenty of clubs, consisting of the well-known Prost. And also across the street from Prost is the epicenter of LGBTQ+ night life in Seoul. If you intend to catch a drag show, attempt Trance Bar around 2am. Just be warned, gay bars in Korea are infamously discerning at the door.
It’s common to buy container service, which safeguards your own table. Not cheap, but a deserving investment if you plan to remain some time (as well as points could easily go till 4am). Expect to get some nicely arranged fruit with your container, due to the fact that you can’t expect to drink in Korea without getting some kind of anju!
Congratulations, you made it to o-cha! It’s time for karaoke at a noraebang, no reservations needed. Even at 4am, the beverages are still streaming; shots of soju are accompanied by saewoo-kkang (shrimp crackers) or you can go with costly bottle solution with yet an additional fancy fruit plate.
Noraebang is everything about hyping the team up: When people are singing, be sure to clap and sing along. Shake the tambourine to keep power levels high. Do not hog the mic. Prepare to hear Adele’s “Hi” at the very least two times.
When it involves noraebang, four seems to be the magic number as everybody gets a great chance to sing, however it’s not unusual for ten to twenty individuals to squeeze into a space.
Required a smaller sized room for a smaller group? There’s likewise coin noraebang– a preferred karaoke option for teenagers, pairs, or people that dropped their close friends but do not intend to go residence yet. These completely automated noraebangs (the name is deceptive, you can pay with a card) can’t fit more than two individuals, yet there’s no alcohol consumption allowed. Look Into Old Man Coin Noraebang in the Gundae area, yet just search 코인노래방 and a lot of options must pop up. 강남풀싸롱
Now you may have questioned how Koreans manage to get up and function in society after 10 straight hrs of alcohol consumption. Go into the last (optional, however extremely suggested) cha: A dish of haejang guk (or hangover soup). Popular selections include soondae gukbap (blood sausage soup as well as rice), gomtang (oxtail brew), and kong namul guk (bean sprout soup). However truly, any soupy alternative will assist water down all that alcohol.
In tourist-heavy Itaewon, it’s in fact more typical to complete the evening with a kebab, however in almost all locations of Seoul, even at 4am, haejang guk will be easy to discover: simply try to find words like 국밥 (soup rice), 탕 (brew), or 국 (soup) in the restaurant name.
Among the most effective locations to obtain your haejang guk repair remains in Myeongdong at Michelin-rated Hak Dong Gwan. However, just one of the most dedicated as well as durable night-dwellers will obtain an opportunity to slurp down their famous gomtang: You’ll have to last till they open up, at 7am.