Korean Dictionary
How to say "Sweet rice punch" in Korean
“Sweet rice punch” in Korean is 식혜 (pronounced "Sikhye").
식혜
Sikhye
Usage & Context
A traditional Korean sweet rice beverage made from malt water and cooked rice. Served cold with rice grains floating in it. A popular dessert drink at Korean traditional restaurants and family gatherings. Often served after heavy meals as a digestif.
Example Sentence
식사 후에 식혜 한 잔 하실래요?
Would you like a glass of sikhye after your meal?
How to use 식혜 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Sweet rice punch” is 식혜, romanized as Sikhye.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 식혜.
Pronunciation Guide
식 (sik) sounds like 'sick'. 혜 (hye) sounds like 'heh-yeh' or 'hay' with a very soft 'h' sound, almost like 'see-keh'.
More Example Sentences
Enjoying a refreshing drink at a Korean bathhouse.
찜질방에서 식혜 마시는 게 최고지!
Drinking sikhye at a jjimjilbang is the best!
Praising homemade traditional sikhye.
할머니가 직접 만드신 식혜는 정말 맛있어요.
The sikhye my grandmother made herself is truly delicious.
Discussing traditional holiday foods and drinks.
명절에 식혜가 빠질 수 없죠.
Sikhye can't be left out during holidays.
Cultural Context
Sikhye is a beloved traditional Korean beverage, often enjoyed as a dessert drink. It's a staple during holidays like Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), and a common offering at traditional restaurants. You'll also frequently find it in cans or plastic bottles at convenience stores and, notably, as a refreshing drink at jjimjilbangs (Korean bathhouses) after a good sweat. The floating rice grains are a distinctive feature, and some people enjoy chewing them.
Editorial note
We review entries like 식혜 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
식혜 한 잔 주세요.
Please give me a glass of sikhye.
시원한 식혜.
Cool sikhye.
식혜 있어요?
Do you have sikhye?
Related Expressions
수정과
Sujeonggwa
Cinnamon punch (another traditional Korean dessert drink)
음료수
Eumnyosu
Beverage/drink (general term)
후식
Husik
Dessert (sikhye is often served as one)
엿기름
Yeotgireum
Malted barley (main ingredient for sikhye)
More Food Words
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