The Korea Times

Jensen Huang enjoys Korea's ‘somaek’ culture — but how can you drink smarter?

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Recent reports that Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang enjoyed Korea's signature "somaek" — a mixture of soju and beer — while sharing grilled pork belly with Korean business leaders have drawn public attention. Huang was said to have emptied several glasses and expressed curiosity about Korea's distinctive drinking culture. For many Korean office workers, pork belly and somaek are staples of company dinners. Yet the next morning's hangover often leaves drinkers regretting their choices. Health experts say, however, that what people eat alongside alcohol and how they drink can significantly affect how their bodies handle it. Eat pork belly first before drinking One surprisingly effective habit is to eat before drinking. Pork belly, which is rich in fat and protein, can slow the rate at which food leaves the stomach, helping to reduce the speed at which alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. By contrast, drinking somaek on an empty stomach can cause blood alcohol levels to rise rapidly, leading to faster intoxication and potentially more severe hang