You’re at the supermarket. In front of you is a shelf full of green-tinted bottles of soju, and you’re wondering which one to get.

Are these green bottles all from the same brand? Is there really the difference between Chamisul soju from Hite Jinro and Chum Churum from Lotte? How many types of soju flavors are there? We’ll get straight to the point and clue you in.

What are the typical brands of soju I can expect in the supermarket? What’s the difference between each?

As you’ve probably already noticed there are many brands and variants of soju, but it can get confusing differentiating one from another because they all tend to be in the same green-tinted bottles (this bottle homogeneity is due to a long-standing recycling pact signed by the major Korean soju producers).

If you’re non-Korean speaking, the best way to differentiate the brand is by cross-referencing their label design and names, based on the infographic below:

Once you’ve ascertained what brands are available at your local supermarket, check out this table for some key facts about each:

(Please note that this is a running list, if you spot a bottle that is not listed here, feel free to send us a photo or comment below, and we’ll add it to the list!)

Why are there so many flavours of soju? Which should I pick?

Almost all the Korean soju brands have their own line of flavoured sojus. These flavoured sojus are typically not for soju purists, but one can't deny that they are becoming insanely popular as a tasty yet friendly lower-ABV treat for those who are not yet used to the slight bitterness of normal unflavoured soju. They're friendly flavors also makes flavoured sojus ideal refreshments if you're hosting or attending a party. 

There's quite a large variety in the types of flavoured sojus out there, so before you head to your nearby supermarket, it's good to get a sense of what's available.

To help with your decision making, we've categorised some of these flavours into three different categories, based on their probability of being people-pleasing versus controversy-stirring.

Fail-safe people-pleaser options:

These are the flavours that are guaranteed to have its fans. We call them "fail-safe" because the fruits used tend to be inoffensive, fruity, and well-liked. Because of their universal popularity, it's also easier to find multiple brands that make soju in these flavours, and you're less likely to leave the supermarket disappointed they didn't stock it. 

If you're not looking to take some risks, pick one of these and you'll be good to go. 

1. Green Grape Soju: Tastes like hi-chew candy, sweet, refreshing and fruity. Chamisul, Chum Churum, and Good Day all have their own green grape soju variants.

2. Peach Soju: Aromatic, fresh and floral. Chamisul, Chum Churum, and Good Day all have their own peach soju variants.

3. Yuzu / Citron Soju: Refreshing, zesty and slightly tart. Chum Churum, Good Day, and Chuga all have their own yuzu soju variants.

4. Strawberry: Creamy, sweet and candied. Chum Churum, Good Day, and Chuga all have their own strawberry soju variants.

5. Apple: Sweet, refreshing, slight tart and tangy. Chum Churum and Good Day, have their own apple soju variants.

More unique flavours that your party guests probably haven't tried before yet:

Here's where things get a bit more interesting. This second category of soju flavours are soju flavours that are generally more unique and specific to select soju brands. They are also slightly harder to find in general supermarkets, and you'd typically have to go to Korean marts that stock the specific brand that manufactures it. 

It's great, though, if you're bored with the usual green grape or peach sojus, and want something that would catch your house guests attention and make them go "oh! I didn't know [insert soju brand] had a [insert unique fruit] flavour!" 

This category includes more tropical leaning flavours like mango soju, pomegranate soju and pineapple soju by Good Day, bolder flavours like plum soju by Chamisul, and more refreshing and juicy flavours like grapefruit soju by Chamisul and lychee soju by Chuga.

Flavours to buy if you want to stir controversy among your party guests:

This third category of flavoured sojus are for those of you itching for a debate. Has the world of flavoured sojus truly gone too far this time? Such are the questions that you and your party guests will find yourselves asking as soon as these bottles are brandished. 

These unconventional soju flavours have a controversial history of being both hated and loved. So if you buy it, it'll almost be like a fun game of soju roulette. 

1. Mint Choco Soju This was a special release by Good Day, and the brand even launched it in a special blue-tinted bottle to convey the "mint-iness" of this expression. Oddly enough, this mint cacao soju actually does taste like an after-dinner chocolate mint, but with a slight bitterness of soju that kicks in on the finish. Generally, people are split on whether this makes for a good combination.

2. Yoghurt Soju This yoghurt soju was released by Chum Churum to cater to fans of mixing soju with Calpis or Yakult. It's a slightly milkier type of soju with the subtle sweetness of cream soda. If you're typically a fan of yoghurt-based drinks, you will probably like this. But those who prefer crisper, more lightweight sojus might not enjoy this one as much. 

3. Blueberry Soju Good Day was the first to launch blueberry soju in Korea, and this became really popular among local university students, so much so that eventually Chum Churum followed suit with the launch of its own blueberry soju. That said, some have remarked that blueberry soju can sometimes taste too artificially syrup-ry. 

Soju beyond Supermarkets

As a final note, we know those green bottled sojus in supermarkets - as wonderfully accessible as they are! - will always have a place at the table. But if, once in a while, you're looking for differentiated, high-quality soju expressions that boasts a new level of complexity and craftsmanship, these are our recommendations for craft sojus to sip and savour.

For a beginner's guide to soju, including how it's made, click here.

To find out why soju bottles tends to be green, click here.

To read more about the difference between soju and makgeolli, click here. 

@lotusroot518