Korean drinking culture has produced some of the most fun, fast and clever drinking games out there. Most need nothing but a table, a bottle of soju and a bit of quick thinking. Here are the classics you will see at any Korean night out.
Korean drinking games at a glance
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Players | 3 or more |
| You need | Soju, beer, a shot glass |
| Type | Fast reaction and number games |
| Best for | Group nights, soju rounds |
What you will need to play
You do not need much to get going, but a few cheap staples make the night run smoother. Here is the kit we reach for.
The best Korean drinking games
Titanic (So-Maek)
Float an empty shot glass in a larger glass of beer, then take turns pouring soju into the shot glass. Whoever sinks the Titanic downs the whole thing. Pure tension.
Baskin Robbins 31
Count up together toward 31, each player saying one, two or three numbers on their turn. Whoever is forced to say 31 drinks. Simple maths, surprisingly stressful.
Sam-Yuk-Gu (3-6-9)
Count up as a group, but clap instead of saying any number containing a 3, 6 or 9. Say the number by mistake and you drink. It speeds up fast.
Nunchi game
Players stand and shout numbers in order (1, 2, 3…) with no set turn order and no talking about it. If two people shout the same number at once, they both drink. The last person to speak also drinks.
Pro tips
- Two hands to pour. Korean drinking etiquette says pour and receive with two hands, especially for elders.
- So-maek is the base. Many games use so-maek (soju plus beer), so learn the mix.
- Keep it quick. These games live on speed and reactions, so do not let a round drag.
Soju, quick hands, and a dozen ways to lose.
Pros and cons
- Fast, clever and social
- Most need nothing but soju and a glass
- Great mix of luck and reaction games
- Some need a bit of counting under pressure
- So-maek can sneak up on you
What you need to play
Related games
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular Korean drinking game?
Titanic and 3-6-9 are two of the most played. Titanic is all suspense, while 3-6-9 is a fast number game that gets harder as it speeds up.
What do you drink in Korean drinking games?
Usually soju, beer, or so-maek, which is soju mixed with beer. Most of the games are built around a soju bottle and a shared round.
