Samhae Soju Distillery Tasting near Hongdae

Name: Samhae Soju Distillery Tasting near Hongdae
Brand: SeoulFoodTour
Price: 42.42 USD
Availability: InStock

5.0(178 reviews)

•Provided by:Sam LEE

⭐ 5/5 (178 reviews) | 💰 $42.42 | ⏱️ Duration: 1.5 hours | 👥 Max Up to 14 people

💡What is the Samhae Soju Distillery Tasting near Hongdae?

This is a 1.5-hour soju tasting at a working distillery near Hongik University Station in Seoul's Mapo district, priced from $42.42. You'll sample at least 7 different alcohols made on-site, ranging from 18% to 50% ABV, centered on Samhae soju — a distilled spirit once favored by Joseon-dynasty nobility. Best for adults curious about Korean spirits beyond the green bottle.

Tour at a Glance

Duration	1.5 hours
Price (from)	$42.42 per person
Alcohol	Included
Meeting point	ADDRESS: 마포구 성산동 103-5 MEETING AT THE SMALL TRIANGLE-SHAPED PARKING LOT next to the building MUST arrive 5 minutes before 0.8 miles from Exit 1, Hongik University subway station
Group size	Small groups available
Accessibility	Wheelchair accessible
Languages	English
Operator	Sam LEE
Rating	5/5 (178 reviews)

DurationPrice (from)

1.5 hours$42.42 per person

DurationAlcohol

1.5 hoursIncluded

DurationMeeting point

1.5 hoursADDRESS: 마포구 성산동 103-5 MEETING AT THE SMALL TRIANGLE-SHAPED PARKING LOT next to the building *MUST arrive 5 minutes before *0.8 miles from Exit 1, Hongik University subway station

DurationGroup size

1.5 hoursSmall groups available

DurationAccessibility

1.5 hoursWheelchair accessible

DurationLanguages

1.5 hoursEnglish

DurationOperator

1.5 hoursSam LEE

DurationRating

1.5 hours5/5 (178 reviews)

🔄Price & reviews last verified on July 12, 2026

👨‍🍳 What Makes This Worth Booking

Sam LEE's tasting sits inside the actual distillery where the spirits are made — a small-group format (up to 14) built around a single family's Samhae soju lineage rather than a bar crawl. The draw is the provenance: the current master trained for over a decade under the recipe's late keeper, and the session frames Korean alcohol's real categories — Tak-ju, Cheong-ju, So-ju — instead of just pouring rounds. That framing and the on-site pours are the parts you can't recreate by buying bottles yourself.

🍜 The Experience

This tasting is built around soju — the Korean distilled spirit — and specifically Samhae soju, a rice-heavy luxury spirit tied to the Joseon dynasty.

You'll meet at a small triangle-shaped parking lot next to the building at the distillery in Mapo-gu, Seongsan-dong, roughly 0.8 miles from Exit 1, Hongik University Station. Arriving 5 minutes early is required.

The session opens with the framework: Korean alcohol splits into Tak-ju (unfiltered rice wine), Cheong-ju (filtered clear rice wine) and So-ju (distilled spirit). The focus stays on soju, but the listing notes other types can be tasted too.

Across the tasting you'll try at least 7 different alcohols made in the distillery, spanning 18% to 50% ABV. The through-line is Samhae soju and the story of the master, Hyeonjong Kim, who trained more than ten years under Taeksang Kim, the recipe's family keeper.

The listing doesn't break down each pour by name or order — the substance is the range of strengths and the history behind the house spirit.

💰 Is It Worth It?

Our verdict: Sam LEE's distillery tasting runs $42.42 for 1.5 hours and at least 7 different alcohols — that works out to roughly $6 per pour at the stated minimum. Buying comparable craft soju by the bottle would cost you more per taste and skip the maker's story entirely; a casual DIY drinks run in the Hongdae area runs roughly ₩5,000-15,000 a round, but you'd get mass-market soju, not distillery Samhae. The premium here buys on-site pours across a 18-50% ABV range plus the lineage that frames them.

Worth it if:

You want to understand Korean spirits beyond diluted supermarket soju, with a real distinction between Tak-ju, Cheong-ju and So-ju
You value provenance — tasting a family recipe with a traceable master lineage
You're an adult traveler after a focused, short 1.5-hour session rather than a long bar crawl

Skip it if:

You want a food-heavy night — this is a drinks tasting, and the listing states no food tastings
You don't drink alcohol, since the entire experience is built around at least 7 pours

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👉Samhae Soju Distillery Tasting near Hongdae

⭐ 5.0$42.42⏱️ 1.5 hours

👥 Small Group

Gangnam Temple, COEX & Korean BBQ Food Walk

⭐ 5.0$70⏱️ 3 hours

👥 Small Group✅ Free Cancel

Hanok Royal Korean Cooking Class in Insadong

⭐ 5.0$95.78⏱️ 2.3 hours

👥 Small Group✅ Free Cancel

Seoul Market Food Walk with 8+ Tastings

⭐ 5.0$96⏱️ 3 hours

✅ Free Cancel

⚡ Skip the line · 👥 Small group · ✅ Free cancellation · ♿ Wheelchair accessible

💡 Prices may vary based on date and group size. Current tour highlighted.

✅ What's Included

At least 7 different alcohols made in the distillery, ranging from 18% to 50% ABV

❌ Not Included

The listing doesn't state what's excluded — food, transport to the meeting point, and any extra bottles or purchases are not mentioned as included, so budget for those separately and confirm with the operator.

🥗 Dietary & Comfort

The listing doesn't address dietary restrictions — ask the operator before booking. This is an alcohol tasting of at least 7 pours spanning 18% to 50% ABV, so it's built for adults who drink; no vegetarian, vegan, halal or gluten-free information is stated. The structured features flag the experience as wheelchair accessible, though the listing gives no further mobility detail — confirm the meeting-point parking lot and distillery layout directly if access matters. No spice, weather, or food-adventure notes are provided.

ℹ️ Practical Info

Meeting Point: Small triangle-shaped parking lot next to the building at 마포구 성산동 103-5 (Mapo-gu, Seongsan-dong), about 0.8 miles from Exit 1, Hongik University subway station. You must arrive 5 minutes before start.
What to Bring: Valid ID — the legal drinking age in Korea is 19, so bring proof of age for an alcohol tasting.

🤫 Insider Tip

The meeting point sits about 0.8 miles from Exit 1, Hongik University Station — not at the exit itself — so factor in a 10-15 minute walk to reach the triangle-shaped parking lot and hit the required 5-minutes-early arrival.

📝

SeoulFoodTour Editorial Review

4.4

★★★★★★★★★★SeoulFoodTour Rating — independent editorial score

“Distillery access to a Joseon-dynasty soju recipe sets this 1.5-hour session apart from bar tastings. Sam LEE leads groups of up to 14 through the history and craft of Samhae soju, a spirit tied to the noble class of the Joseon dynasty and kept alive through more than a decade of apprenticeship under master Taeksang Kim. The listing does not specify how many pours or varieties are included, which makes it difficult to assess value per tasting at $42.42 before booking. Smart choice for: history-minded drinkers who want direct distillery access and context behind Korean spirits rather than a standard bar crawl.”

By SeoulFoodTour Editorial TeamJul 12, 2026

⭐ Guest Reviews

5.0(178 reviews)

Verified reviews from travelers who booked this tour through GetYourGuide

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Does this tasting include food?▾

The listing only lists alcohol — at least 7 different pours from the distillery — and states no food tastings. Eat beforehand and confirm with the operator if any snacks are provided.

How strong are the drinks?▾

The pours range from 18% to 50% ABV, so several are full-strength distilled spirits. This is an adults-only style tasting — pace yourself and bring ID.

Is the meeting point easy to reach?▾

It's a triangle-shaped parking lot in Mapo-gu, about 0.8 miles from Exit 1 of Hongik University Station. Allow walking time, as it's not directly at the exit, and arrive 5 minutes early.

Can I book this as a private group?▾

The description says private groups can make a private reservation or message the operator directly, who can adjust to group needs. Contact Sam LEE via the listing to arrange it.