Which Korean alcoholic beverage is a milky, unfiltered rice wine?

The Korean alcoholic beverage that is a milky, unfiltered rice wine is Makgeolli. It is cloudy because rice sediment and other fermentation by-products remain in the drink, giving it a creamy appearance and slightly viscous texture.

Makgeolli is traditionally brewed from rice, water, and nuruk, a fermentation starter containing molds, yeasts, and enzymes. It is usually lightly sweet, tangy, and mildly sparkling, with an alcohol content commonly around 6–9 percent by volume. Traditionally unpasteurized versions continue to mature in the bottle and have a relatively short shelf life.

The name Takju is a frequent source of confusion. Takju means “opaque wine” and is a broader category that includes cloudy Korean rice wines; Makgeolli is the best-known example. Cheongju, by contrast, is a clear, refined rice wine, while soju is a distilled spirit rather than an unfiltered rice wine.