09/01/2026
What are the differences between Soju & Sake? š¶
Origin: Soju originates from Korea. Sake comes from Japan.
Production: Sake is brewed and fermented (similar to beer), using rice, water, yeast, and a mold called koji. Soju is a distilled spirit (similar to vodka), made by fermenting starches and then distilling the liquid.
Ingredients: Sake is made strictly from polished rice, water, yeast, and koji. Soju can be made from rice as well, but it frequently uses other starches like barley, wheat, tapioca, or sweet potatoes.
Alcohol Content: Sake is lighter, usually ranging from 13%-17% ABV. Traditional or standard soju ranges from 16%-25% ABV.
Taste: Sake offers complex, smooth, and fruit or floral-forward flavors, sometimes with savory or umami notes. Soju has a cleaner, more neutral, taste with a stronger alcohol kick. Modern versions can also be flavored with fruit.
Serving Style: Sake can be served warm, room temperature, or chilled. Soju is almost always served chilled.
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