Soju in Tokyo: Korean vs Japanese Drinks, Explained
Soju is Korea's clear spirit, lighter than Japanese shochu, poured chilled into small glasses and drunk neat. Somaek is soju topped with beer, roughly three parts to seven. On the Japanese side you have whisky, shochu and sours, each with its own way of being served. We run a Korean bar in Osaka and are opening HEAVEN TOKYO in Shinjuku, and these are the questions we hear at the counter, so here are the answers in one place.
Soju, makgeolli and somaek: how we drink them
Soju is served cold, in a small glass, with no mixer. The one habit worth copying is pouring for the person beside you rather than for yourself. Makgeolli is a cloudy rice drink, a little sweet, a little sour, and low in alcohol, which makes it an easy first glass for anyone who likes Japanese nigori sake or sours. Somaek takes three steps: a splash of soju in a beer glass, beer on top, one quick stir with a spoon or none at all. Both soju and makgeolli are part of our all-you-can-drink plan: 2,500 yen an hour, about 80 cocktails.
Whisky, shochu and sours: the Japanese side of the counter
The Japanese answer to somaek is the highball, whisky lengthened with soda over ice. Japanese shochu shares a name with soju but is a different drink, distilled from sweet potato, barley or rice and stronger than Korean soju, so it is often cut with water or soda. A sour is shochu with soda and fruit juice, closer in spirit to somaek than anything else on the list. We keep Japanese whisky, shochu and sours on the same shelf as the soju, so you can try the Korean mix and the Japanese mix on the same night.
Ask the person next to you
What we saw most often in Osaka was a Korean guest showing a Japanese guest the somaek ratio, and the Japanese guest returning the favour with how they take their whisky. You do not need Korean or Japanese for that; pointing at a glass does the job. HEAVEN TOKYO opens on Friday, October 23. The drinking age in Japan is 20, and no one at our counter is pressed to drink more than they want.
FAQ
- What is the usual soju-to-beer ratio for somaek?
- About three parts soju to seven parts beer is a common starting point. Adjust it once you know how you like it.
- Is Japanese shochu the same as Korean soju?
- No. Shochu is distilled from sweet potato, barley or rice, is stronger than soju, and is usually mixed with water or soda.
- Can I order Japanese drinks at a Korean bar?
- Yes. Japanese whisky, shochu and sours are on the menu next to the soju, makgeolli and somaek.
Bar information
- Name: Korean Bar HEAVEN TOKYO
- Address: GEST34 Bldg. 1F #103, 2-45-16 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (3 min walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station)
- Opening: October 23, 2026
- Hours: daily 21:00-05:00
- Seats: 8 counter seats, karaoke available
- All-you-can-drink: 2,500 yen per hour (about 80 cocktails)
- Operated by Nagaza Inc., the owners of Korean bars HEAVEN, MOON and SARANG in Higashi-Shinsaibashi, Osaka
Google Maps · Our Osaka bars HEAVEN, MOON and SARANG (same owners)