Introduction
Ever wondered about the fascinating world of Korean hangover remedies? Surprisingly, there are tons of different types of hangover remedies in Korea.
And guess what? If you happen to be traveling to Korea, you can easily buy it at any convenience store on the street.
And, if necessary, it is really easy to consult with a friendly pharmacist at any street-side pharmacy to tailor a remedy that suit your specific symptoms.
The changing drinking culture in Korea
A lot of parties have disappeared during the pandemic around the world, and the energetic drinking culture has been streamlined in Korea as well.
Korea is famous for its “bomb shots” of beer and soju, but now the culture is shifting to enjoying delicious, flavorful alcohol in moderation.
Trendy hangover remedies
In addition, various hangover remedies that relieve hangover symptoms have become a necessity in the drinking culture, and the younger generation prepares various hangover remedies and shares them with friends and colleagues before drinking.
Especially nowadays, several brands have launched stick and jelly hangover remedies targeting the MZ generation. Since the traditional drink-based hangover remedies are not very flavorful, the new refreshing fruit-flavored jelly or oriental pill-based hangover remedies are also popular.
What is a hangover?
hangovers are an accumulation of negative physical and mental symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, and diarrhea after drinking alcohol.
Before the pandemic, I was often forced to drink excessively with my coworkers after working. Because I lived in Seoul, I am a Korean…
Whenever this happened, a headache was one of the most painful hangover symptoms for me. I felt pounding and had to stay in bed all day until I recovered. So I had to drink Korea’s famous hangover drink.
The culprit was “acetaldehyde”, a metabolite produced during the breakdown of alcohol.
When this accumulates without detoxification in your body, it triggers headaches, heartburn, decreased athletic performance, and hormonal changes.
The severity varies based on genetics and nutritional status.
How to reduce hangovers
Moderation is the key to avoiding hangovers, but let’s face it—sometimes, you find yourself at a wild party with no escape. Fear not; here are some tips that might come to your rescue:
1) Harmony in Pairing: An-ju Culture
Korean drinking culture has a unique concept known as “An-ju,” emphasizing harmony and balance in food and alcohol pairings.
Protein-rich meats like pork, beef, chicken, and the classic tofu and kimchi combo can help reduce alcohol absorption, potentially minimizing the severity of a hangover. For instance, pairing chicken with beer or Korean pancakes with makgeolli is a popular practice in Korea.
Try eating protein-heavy meats or “snacks” with alcohol. You may feel less hungover the next day.
2) Hangover remedies
Korea boasts a variety of well-known hangover remedy brands, a concept somewhat unfamiliar in other countries. These remedies, born out of the passionate drinking culture of Korean office workers, are easily accessible in Korean convenience stores.
The key is to take a hangover remedy 30 minutes to an hour before drinking. This is because having ingredients that help break down acetaldehyde in your body beforehand can accelerate the breakdown of alcohol.
In conclusion, combining alcohol with a protein-rich meal or “An-ju” and taking a hangover pill beforehand can be your armor against a dreadful hangover the next day.
If you still have a bad hangover the next day, you can try ionized water or honey water, but be careful not to take headache medication as it can damage your liver.
The ultimate hangover remedies are rest and hydration, so don’t forget to guzzle plenty of water or ionized water.
Types of Korean hangover remedies
Korean hangover remedies fall into two categories: those aiding acetaldehyde breakdown and those supporting liver function.
Although these cannot cure your hangover completely, they can relieve symptoms like headaches and vomiting caused by excessive drinking.
These products contain nutrients such as ‘arginine’ and ‘betaine’ to help metabolize alcohol in your liver.
Conveniently available at Korean convenience stores, these remedies come in various flavors and forms for your choosing.
Hangover remedies available at convenience stores in Korea are classified as general food, so feel free to purchase them according to their flavor or form of consumption.
1) Convenience store hangover remedies
Dawn 808, pictured on the left, is a very popular hangover remedy brand in Korea. It is the first ‘patented’ hangover drink in Korea, and is characterized by its bitter taste because it contains natural ingredients that are effective in protecting liver function and relieving hangovers.
The product on the right is a recently released hangover drink, Kkae-su-kkang. It is a canned product that contains carbonation and is refreshing and thirst-quenching. It contains seaweed and plant composite extracts, the ingredients of which have been patented for invention.
2) Pharmacy hangover remedies
The products you can buy at pharmacies in Korea are mainly medications that contain nutrients and vitamins to help your liver function and help you recover from fatigue.
If you want some these remedies, simply walk into any pharmacy on the street in Korea, describe your symptoms, ask for a hangover cure. The pharmacist will guide you to the appropriate medication such as a remedy package of drink and pills.
Behaviors That Worsen Hangovers
As mentioned above, taking headache medication just because you have a headache can damage your liver. So this is something you should avoid.
Similarly, drinking a cup of coffee to wake up won’t help your hangover horrible symptoms either, as the caffeine in coffee can affect your hormones and worsen dehydration.
Sometimes, Koreans believe that eating spicy, hot soup will make their hangover go away. While clear, warm soup can help, steer clear of overly spicy, hot foods as they can irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Opt for a clear soup with oysters and rice or one with bean sprouts for a soothing remedy.
Conclusion
Hangover remedies are naturally incorporated into Korean drinking culture and play a definite role.
Most importantly, no matter what type of hangover cure you choose, the key thing to keep in mind is to moderate alcohol intake.
However, if you have no choice but to drink a lot, eating protein-rich dishes along with alcohol, and taking hangover relievers can help prevent and reduce hangover horrible symptoms.
Try the secrets and have a great night out without worrying about the next morning.
FAQs
1. Can hangover relievers cure a hangover 100%?
No, hangover remedies can relieve symptoms such as headaches and vomiting, but they do not guarantee a hangover cure.
2. Are convenience store hangover remedies safe?
Yes, convenience store hangover remedies like Dawn 808 undergo strict quality checks and are safe for consumption.
3. How do traditional an-ju pairings work?
Protein-rich foods in an-ju pairings can reduce alcohol absorption, potentially minimizing the severity of a hangover.
4. Can spicy soup help with hangovers?
While clear, warm soup can be beneficial, spicy and hot foods may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, worsening hangover symptoms.
5. Is it good to take headache medicine for a hangover?
No, it is best to avoid headache medications as they can harm your liver. Rest and hydration are the most effective treatments.
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