Why Do Koreans Drink Barley Tea Instead of Water at Restaurants?
Sit down at many Korean restaurants and the "water" that arrives is pale gold and slightly nutty. That is usually boricha (보리차), roasted barley tea, or sometimes corn tea or another grain tea. Koreans drink it because it is a long-standing home habit: boiling water with roasted grains made it safer to drink in the past, it adds a mild, comforting flavor without caffeine or sugar, and it pairs well with salty, spicy food. Restaurants simply carried that home habit over, and it is almost always free.
What exactly is in your glass?
The most common drinks you will be served are:
- Boricha (보리차) – roasted barley tea. Light brown, toasty, slightly bitter in a pleasant way.
- Oksusu-cha (옥수수차) – roasted corn tea. A little sweeter and rounder.
- Gyeolmyeongja-cha (결명자차) – a darker tea from roasted cassia seeds, found in some homes and restaurants.
Some restaurants mix grains, and many simply serve plain filtered water. All of these teas are naturally caffeine-free and unsweetened. It can be served cold, at room temperature or warm, depending on the season and the restaurant.
Why Koreans drink grain tea instead of plain water
A habit from home kitchens
For generations, many Korean households boiled a pot of water with a handful of roasted barley or corn, cooled it and kept it in the fridge as the family's everyday drinking water. Boiling made water safer to drink before modern tap and filter systems were common, and the grain gave it a nicer taste. Many families still do this today, often using convenient tea bags.
Flavor without anything extra
Barley tea tastes of something, but not too much. It has no sugar and no caffeine, so people of all ages drink it all day, including children and older people, and it does not get in the way of the meal.
It suits Korean food
Korean meals are often salty, spicy or rich. A mild, toasty drink feels refreshing after a bite of kimchi stew or grilled meat. Many Koreans also find a warm cup comforting after eating.
A free, small hospitality
Like free side dishes, a kettle or bottle of tea on the table is part of the basic welcome at many Korean restaurants. You do not order it and you do not pay for it. Read more about that idea in Why Do Korean Restaurants Give Free Side Dishes (Banchan)?
Related: sungnyung, the after-meal drink
At some traditional restaurants you may be served sungnyung (숭늉) at the end of the meal. It is a warm drink made by pouring water into the pot where rice was cooked and letting the slightly scorched rice at the bottom soak. It tastes gently of toasted rice, and it is an older cousin of the grain tea idea: nothing wasted, and a warm, mild drink to finish.
How water works in Korean restaurants
- Self-service is common. Look for a water fridge, a dispenser or a stack of metal cups near the entrance. Many places expect you to help yourself.
- Metal cups are standard in many casual restaurants.
- Refills are free. If the bottle on your table is empty, ask "Mul juseyo" (물 주세요, "water, please") or use the table call bell if there is one.
- Cafes are different. Coffee shops usually have plain water, and you pay for drinks.
You can also buy barley tea and corn tea in bottles at convenience stores if you get to like it. See our Korean Convenience Store Guide for what else to try.
Yara from POPORO CITY says: "Barley tea tastes like a warm kitchen to me. Cold in summer, warm in winter, always free."
Quick tips
- The brown "water" is grain tea, not dirty water or a paid drink.
- It is caffeine-free and unsweetened, so it is fine to drink with any meal.
- Check for a self-service water station before asking staff.
- Say "Mul juseyo" if you need more.
- If you have a grain allergy, such as barley or gluten, ask for plain water: "Saengsu juseyo" (생수 주세요, bottled water) or just "Mul" and check what you are given.
FAQ
Is barley tea free at Korean restaurants?
Yes, in ordinary restaurants the water or barley tea on your table is free and refilled at no charge.
Does Korean barley tea have caffeine?
No. Roasted barley tea is naturally caffeine-free.
Is barley tea gluten-free?
No. Barley contains gluten, so people with celiac disease or a gluten or barley allergy should ask for plain water instead.
Can I ask for plain water instead?
Yes. Many restaurants already serve plain water, and staff can usually bring it if you ask. Bottled water is also sold everywhere.
Where can I buy Korean barley tea to take home?
Supermarkets and convenience stores sell barley and corn tea in tea bags and bottles. Tea bags are light and easy to pack.