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Korean · Soju Rules

폭탄주

poktanju

pohk-tahn-JOO · /pʰok̚.tʰan.dʑu/

The bomb shot — soju depth-charged into beer, i.e. somaek.

1/5 Grandma-safe

mild, playful; fine on daytime TV

Literally

"bomb liquor"

Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.

How to use it

Korea's signature ordnance: a shot of soju dropped or poured into a glass of beer. The everyday version is 소맥 (somaek: SOju + MAEKju), mixed to loudly-debated golden ratios; the ceremonial version involves glass-stacking tricks, chopstick-slaps, and a designated mixer who takes the role seriously. Knowing the word — better, requesting one ("소맥 말아줘," mix me a somaek) — signals you've come to participate, which will be honored enthusiastically and repeatedly. The word is a harmless 1. The drink is why the 해장국 (haejangguk, hangover soup) industry exists.

Heard in the wild

소맥 황금비율로 말아줄게. 폭탄주 처음이지?

I'll mix you a somaek at the golden ratio. First bomb shot, right?

Where it lands

South Korea (universal); somaek is the everyday form

Quick answers

What does "폭탄주" mean?
In Korean, "폭탄주" means "The bomb shot — soju depth-charged into beer, i.e. somaek.". Literally it's "bomb liquor". Korea's signature ordnance: a shot of soju dropped or poured into a glass of beer. The everyday version is 소맥 (somaek: SOju + MAEKju), mixed to loudly-debated golden ratios; the ceremonial version involves glass-stacking tricks, chopstick-slaps, and a designated mixer who takes the role seriously. Knowing the word — better, requesting one ("소맥 말아줘," mix me a somaek) — signals you've come to participate, which will be honored enthusiastically and repeatedly. The word is a harmless 1. The drink is why the 해장국 (haejangguk, hangover soup) industry exists.
Is "폭탄주" offensive?
It's on the mild end — 1/5 (Grandma-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. mild, playful; fine on daytime TV.
How do you pronounce "폭탄주"?
Say it "pohk-tahn-JOO" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: pʰok̚.tʰan.dʑu.

Related in Korean

짠! jjan jjahn Cheers! — the toast is the sound effect itself. 원샷! wonsyat wuhn-SHAHT Bottoms up! — empty the glass in one go. 마셔 마셔! masyeo masyeo mah-SHYUH mah-SHYUH Drink! Drink! — the table chant that overrules your better judgment. 개맛있어 gaemasisseo geh-mah-SHEE-ssuh Insanely delicious — the dog prefix doing its finest work. 숙취 쩔어 sukchwi jjeoreo sook-chwee JJUH-luh Brutally hungover — the morning-after status report. 꼰대 kkondae KKOHN-deh Boomer-boss / condescending elder who pulls rank — 'back in MY day…'

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