We’ve all been there: we started out with just one or two glasses of soju or makgeolli, but before we knew it, we were raising our tenth shot glass and singing karaoke at the top of our lungs. And then the next morning, we wake up feeling like we’ve been hit by a truck. While we could go for the usual hangover cures like coffee, pickle juice, and burnt toast, why not try some of the more interesting and unconventional remedies that the birthplace of soju, Korea, has to offer? From spicy soups to pear juice, here are some of the tried and true (or at least worth a shot) ways to cure your hangover and get back to feeling like yourself again.
- Spicy/Hot Soup: Many people believe that spicy or hot soup can help alleviate hangover symptoms by promoting sweating, soothing the stomach, and releasing alcohol from the body. The idea is that the strong, stimulating flavors of the soup can suppress hangover symptoms and help the body to recover. However, it’s important to note that spicy foods may irritate the stomach and liver, especially when recovering from a night of drinking. For this reason, some people may prefer to choose non-spicy hot soups as an alternative remedy.
- Korean Pear Juice, a.k.a. ‘Idh’ (crushed pear juice) : This popular drink is well-known among Koreans and foreigners alike for its ability to alleviate hangover symptoms. The effectiveness of Korean pear juice as a hangover cure has even been confirmed by research conducted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia, showing that drinking Korean pear juice can lead to a reduction in hangover symptoms. The secret to its effectiveness lies in its rich concentration of fructose, vitamins, and antioxidants. These nutrients work in harmony to boost liver function, allowing the body to break down alcohol more efficiently. At the same time, they also help reduce inflammation, which is a common cause of hangover symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue. (Read more about the research at https://www.gq.com/story/korean-pear-juice-hangover-test)
- Hangover Relief Drink (숙취해소음료) : There are many 숙취해소음료 (hangover relief drinks) available in Korea, as hangovers are a common issue after a night of heavy drinking. Some of the best-selling 숙취해소음료 include:
- Condition (컨디션) – This hangover relief drink is made with prickly pear extract and other natural ingredients to help alleviate hangover symptoms.
- Ready Q (레디큐) – It contains a combination of natural ingredients such as prickly pear cactus extract, green tea extract, and vitamins that are believed to help alleviate hangover symptoms.
- Morning Care (모닝케어) – This hangover relief drink contains amino acids and vitamins to help replenish the body and alleviate hangover symptoms
If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect hangover cure, give these a try! Keep in mind that everyone’s body is unique and may react differently to alcohol and these remedies, so it’s worth experimenting a little to find the one that works best for you. With a little trial and error, you’ll be back to feeling your best in no time!