Imagine, if you will, a sweltering summer day in Seoul. The sun beats down mercilessly, the heat is intense, and you’re parched. You reach out for a frosty, ice-cold drink and instant relief washes over you. That’s the magic of Korean pouch drinks and ice cups, known as the ‘Eoleum Cup‘ in Korean, a beloved summer staple in the Korean peninsula.
But why do Koreans love pouch drinks and ice cups so much? The answer is simple – they are convenient, delicious, and quintessentially Korean. Let’s dive deeper into this fascinating aspect of Korean culture.
In this Article
Why Koreans Love Pouch Drinks and Ice Cups
Convenience is King
Have you ever been on the go and craved a refreshing drink? That’s where pouch drinks come to the rescue. Compact and portable, these pouch drinks are perfect for a busy lifestyle, fitting snugly into handbags or backpacks. Take a sip whenever you need a quick energy boost – that’s convenience right in the palm of your hand!
Flavors Galore
Korean pouch drinks offer convenience and variety; different flavors of coffee, all kinds of fruit juices, and drinks that can only be found in Korea, like sikhye and yuja-cha. Each flavor is unique and perfect for summer.
The Ice Cup Phenomenon
Ice cups, on the other hand, are a whole different ball game. These are small cups made entirely of ice, filled with your choice of drink. As the ice melts, it cools down the drink, making it even more refreshing!
Just like pouch drinks, ice cups come in a variety of flavors. Whether you’re a fan of classic cola or prefer a fruity twist with strawberry or grape, there’s an ice cup for every palate.
“The real charm of ice cups is in the experience. As the drink gets colder and the ice cup starts to melt, it’s a race against time to finish the drink. It’s not just about quenching your thirst – it’s a fun and exciting experience!”
The Cultural Aspect
More than just refreshments, Korean pouch drinks, and ice cups are integral to Korean pop culture. They’re often featured in Korean dramas and variety shows, adding a touch of authenticity and local flavor. It’s a fun way to experience a slice of Korean life, even if you’re thousands of miles away!
So there you have it – the fascination with Korean pouch drinks and ice cups is not just about quenching thirst. It’s about convenience, variety, fun, and a vibrant cultural experience. No wonder Koreans love them so much!
How and Where to Buy Pouch Drinks with ice cups
First, go to any convenience store. An ice-cup drink is not a single product. You need to purchase two separate items: ice cups and pouch drinks. Take out the room-temperature pouch drink and the ice cup from the freezer. Some travelers don’t realize this and buy Korean pouch drinks and drink them lukewarm. The drinks come in a variety of flavors. Different convenience store brands offer different flavors of beverages, from different types of coffee to fruit-flavored drinks. It’s fun to try different flavors at different convenience stores.
Many adults also like to add beer or soju to their cups to keep them cold. Mixing drinks with alcohol in an ice cup is all the rage these days.
The Origin Story of Korean Pouch Drinks and Ice Cups
Imagine, if you will, a sweltering summer day in South Korea. The air buzzes with a thick and sticky heat, the kind that makes you crave a refreshing drink or treat. Enter the Korean pouch drinks, an essential summer staple that has graced the hands of many a parched individual. But how did this icy, sweet, and flavorsome beverage come into existence? Let’s delve into the tale.
Love for convenience store coffee
It all started in the late 1970s, an era characterized by rapid industrial growth in South Korea. These single-serving beverages, packaged in a plastic pouch with a straw, quickly became a hit for their simplicity and practicality.
But the pouch beverages that you see in convenience stores today, started in 2005 when coffee started being sold in pouches in convenience stores, and a lot of other beverages started being sold in pouches.
Ice cups, the soul mates of Korean pouch drinks
As the pouch drinks trend took off, another innovation was brewing – the ice cup. Now, you might be wondering, what makes an ice cup different from regular ice? The answer lies in the specific design of the ice cup, a plastic container filled with water and then frozen, creating a cup made entirely of ice. This ingenious solution was a direct response to the scorching Korean summers, allowing people to enjoy their pouch drinks in the coolest way possible.
It’s a simple concept, yet incredibly effective – take your pouch drink, pour it into the ice cup, and voila! You have a refreshingly cold beverage that stays icy for longer. Plus, there’s the added thrill of drinking from a cup made of pure ice, a unique experience indeed!
From the bustling city streets to the serene countryside, these refreshing treats continue to bring joy and relief to Koreans and visitors alike, one icy sip at a time.
A Budget-Friendly Treat from Korean Convenience Stores
A brightly lit beacon of refreshment against a hot summer day: a Korean convenience store. They’re a cultural epicenter, a hub of affordable, innovative, and tasty treats. The Ice Cup, a budget-friendly delicacy, is a staple of Korean convenience stores. Typically served in a plastic cup with a lid, it’s a DIY mix-and-match dream.
Most convenience stores sell two sizes of ice cups: regular and large. Of course, there are also larger venti sizes. The regular size is 700 won, which is about half a dollar. Drinks vary in price, ranging from 1,000 won ($0.8) to 2,000 won ($1.5).
If you happen to stop by a convenience store when you’re hungry, don’t forget the kimbap and ramyeon combination.
An Emblem of Affordable Luxury
One of the key factors that make the ice cup such a beloved treat is its affordability. For a few thousand Korean Won (roughly equivalent to a couple of dollars), you can enjoy a refreshing, tailor-made beverage that’s both satisfying and fun. Fun, you say? Yes, indeed! There’s a certain thrill in crafting your drink – a sip of soda here, a scoop of jelly there, and a splash of milk to top it off. You might even find yourself experimenting with unconventional combinations, pushing the boundaries of your beverage-blending bravado. Think that’s too much? Take a look at these.
Mastering the Art of Eating Ice Cups with Korean Pouch Drinks
Imagine holding a little plastic pouch, filled to the brim with a sweet, tangy, and utterly refreshing Korean drink. Now, add to that image, a cup of ice-cold delicacies that take the flavor of your pouch drink to a whole new level. Yes, you’ve stepped into the brilliant world of Korean pouch drinks with ice cups. A world where every sip is a burst of flavor, every crunch of ice a delightful surprise.
But mastering this art requires a touch of finesse, a dash of know-how, and an open mind ready to embrace this uniquely Korean culture. So, let’s dive in and uncover the secret to enjoying Korean pouch drinks with ice cups.
Choosing Your Pouch Drink: The First Step
Your adventure begins with selecting your pouch drink. Think of it as choosing your protagonist in this flavorful story. Will it be the classic and ever-popular grape flavor? Or perhaps the bold and zesty orange? Or maybe you’re feeling adventurous and are ready to try the exotic tangerine or the sweet pear? The choice is yours, and there’s no wrong answer here. The only rule is to choose a flavor that you love. After all, this is your journey, and you are the master of your flavor universe.
Pairing It Up: The Dance of Flavor
Once you’ve chosen your pouch drink, it’s time to find its dance partner – the ice cup. This is where the real flavor magic happens. The combination of the pouch drink and the ice cup creates a fusion of flavors that is unique and irreplaceable. The ice cup not only cools the drink but also adds a unique texture and flavor. It’s a symphony of taste, a dance of flavors that leaves you refreshed and craving for more.
How to Eat: The Art of Savoring
The final step in your journey is learning the art of savoring these drinks. Here’s how you do it:
- Take a sip: Start by taking a small sip of the pouch drink. Let the liquid play on your tongue, feel the fizzy tingles, the sweetness, the tanginess. This is your first introduction to the flavor story.
- Crunch some ice: Next, take a spoonful of the ice from the ice cup and crunch it in your mouth. This is a whole new texture, a new sensation that adds a whole new dimension to your experience.
- Mix and match: Now, it’s time to mix and match. Take a sip of the pouch drink, followed by a spoonful of ice, and let the flavors play and dance in your mouth. This is where the magic happens. This is where you truly savor Korean pouch drinks with ice cups.
And there you have it – the art of eating ice cups with Korean pouch drinks. It’s an experience unlike any other, a delightful journey through a world of flavors that leaves you refreshed, satisfied, and ready for more. So, why not give it a try? Step into this world and let your taste buds dance to the tune of Korean pouch drinks with ice cups. Trust me, it’s a journey worth embarking on.
Why travelers love pouch drinks with ice cups
All this fuss over an ice-cup drink? Travel to S.Korea for the summer.
Yeah, it’s not that big of a deal, but two main cultural things make it a fun experience. One is the sweltering heat of Korea. The world is getting hotter these days, and Korea’s summers are no different. But the humid summer weather in Korea takes a toll on people, so there’s a meme about iced coffee in the summer in Korea.
So iced coffee is a desert oasis for heat-weary travelers. The other is the culture of convenience stores, where you can safely visit 24 hours a day. One of the things that many travelers love about Korea is that there are always convenience stores near their accommodations that they can easily visit 24 hours a day. Especially at night, it’s not too dangerous. That’s why this ice-cup drink is loved by many travelers and is often featured on social media.
I mentioned above that iced drinks are popular in Korea because of the hot summers, but Koreans are also known to drink iced coffee in the cold winter months.
Why Koreans love their iced Americano, even in winter
So, you’ve strolled into a convenience store on a cold winter day in Korea, rubbing your hands together for warmth. What’s the most popular beverage that the locals are reaching for? You guessed it: iced Americano. Now, you might be asking yourself, “Why on earth would anyone drink iced coffee in the middle of winter?”
Well, here’s the thing. Koreans have a deep-rooted fascination and love for iced Americano that transcends seasons. Let’s dive into the reasons why this frosty beverage remains a hot favorite, even when temperatures drop below freezing.
- An Icy Respite in a Heated Atmosphere
Have you noticed indoor heating in Korea? It’s intense! Korean buildings are often heated to the point where you could comfortably wear a T-shirt indoors. An iced Americano then acts as a refreshing, cooling antidote to the heat – providing a much-needed balance.
- The Cultural Influence
There’s no denying the cultural influence. Drinking iced Americano has become somewhat of a trend in Korea. It’s seen as trendy and modern to be sipping on an iced coffee, whatever the weather. It’s a statement, a way of life, that reflects the vibrant, never-stop energy of the Korean people.
No matter how cold it gets outside, you can bet there’ll be a Korean with an iced Americano in hand. Now that’s what we call cool!
The last one is funny because of the “Hurry, hurry” culture of Koreans. Some say they prefer iced coffee because they can’t drink hot coffee fast enough, so they drink it all at once.
All of these comments are more of a joke, don’t take them seriously.
Discover the Coolest Way to Beat the Heat in Korea
If you’re looking for a refreshing respite from the sweltering Korean summer, you’re in luck! There’s an array of delightful options that go beyond the ubiquitous ice-cup drinks. So, let’s dive right into the coolest ways to beat the summer heat in Korea.
- Water Parks: From heart-stopping slides to relaxing lazy rivers, Korea’s water parks, like Caribbean Bay and Ocean World, offer a splash-tasty way to cool off.
- Bingsu: This popular Korean shaved ice dessert, heaped with sweet toppings like fresh fruit and condensed milk, is a must-try. And yes, you can even find this at convenience stores!
- Riverside Hangouts: Picture this-you’re sitting by the picturesque Han River, a cool breeze in your hair, as you watch the world go by. Sounds dreamy, right?
- Beach getaways: With over 2000 kilometers of coastline, South Korea has a beach for every taste. Haeundae in Busan is the country’s most famous summer beach.
Remember, in Korea, when the temperature rises, it’s time to cool down in style. So whether you’re savoring a frosty dessert, splashing around in a water park, or enjoying a chill day at the beach, you’re doing summer right!
The coolest experience on a summer night
What sets the ice cup apart from your run-of-the-mill convenience store drink is the multitude of flavors and textures you can explore. Vanilla soda with peach jelly? Go for it. Coffee with cookie crumbs and condensed milk? Absolutely. Each ingredient adds a new dimension to your drink, engaging your senses in a lively dance of sweet, tangy, creamy, or crunchy. It’s not just a drink; it’s an experience.
“The Ice Cup is not just a drink; it’s an experience.”
So next time you find yourself in Korea, or at a Korean convenience store anywhere, don’t miss this ice-cold adventure. Step up to the counter, choose your ingredients, and craft your frozen masterpiece. It’s a uniquely Korean experience that’s worth every sip. The ice cup is not just a beverage, it’s a testament to the playful, innovative spirit of Korean convenience store culture.
Are you ready to dive into this cool Korean trend? Because there’s a whole world of flavors and combinations waiting for you in the humble aisles of a Korean convenience store. This summer, don’t just quench your thirst – make a splash with an ice-cup beverage!
